Part 2 :: Yak Roads and Tea House Codes: A guide to Himalayan wisdom

The Walk back to Lukla :

A thousand thoughts are racing through my mind. The strongest one, though is gratitude. I am so insanely privileged to explore this corner of the earth. Every suspension bridge was a bridge to educate myself on a different culture, experience, people and the environment. Every valley that I crossed was a reminder that every uphill has a downhill - the trick is to figure out a way to balance the energy. Some things are universal - the optimism and the smiles from the kids is proof that Snickers beats Energy bars irrespective of 5000 meters or 0 meters. Through these experiences, we not only gain a better understanding of other cultures but also cultivate greater tolerance in our daily lives, ultimately leading to fewer conflicts, better problem solving and most important humility. Every one of these lessons has relevance in our work lives.

At times I felt super sentimental and sure added a few eye drops to the Dudh Koshi river - it is hard not to.

Departure Day ::

Bir advises a wake up call at 430 am. Sleeping bag is tucked in for the last time and the walk to the airport is only 10 minutes but may be a final karma reminder- there are 50 steep steps to get to Departures. A lady was walking up next to me with a heavy duffel, so I offered to help and her retort (was awesome !!! kick it sister from Crete) “..hey I carried this 15 Kg bag for the last 10 days, I can do the the last few “.

The airport is indeed wild. We start to get ready for take off. The engine starts, it hums and vibrates. The descending runway is now in front of us. Full throttle! It pushes us into the seats, and quickly, we no longer have the 527m takeoff runway beneath us. We are over the cliff and flying away. High out of the Khumbu Valley. It’s a picture-perfect flight. The mountain peaks are clearly visible, and I catch a last glimpse of Lhotse and Mount Everest, among others. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I check in to a hotel in Kathmandu. After check-in, I peel out of my hiking clothes and enjoy my first proper shower, shave after 13 days. From Kathmandu to Doha and then home to Switzerland.

Bidding Adieu ::

I have heard the entire Spotify Nepal Inspiration playlist several times, thanks to all that have contributed. In the morning before the start of the daily trek, the Buddhist rhythmic chants of Om Mani Padme Hum are a great kicker to just jump into the cold with a smile.

A friend suggested song "Zukunft Pink" is my new fight song.

I have had a chance to connect with many of you through these LinkedIn articles and with some that I have let the relationship go dormant - the onus is on me to pick this up.

Even though I was walking alone, I was never alone. I want to dedicate this experience to

• my dad. When he was alive, he taught me two things that shape much of who I am today: a fierce love of waking up early to read, and the simple joy of walking. For him, even a thousand-page Civil Engineer’s handbook could outshine the lure of sleep each morning.
• my mom. Since my dad’s passing, my mom has become the embodiment of tenacity and resilience, living far from all her kids. Oh! she is pretty comfortable yelling at me even now but just as reliably, she sends a care package every quarter, no matter where in the world I am.
• Anya Nutakki for her boundless compassion, meticulous planning, flawless organisational prowess, and unwavering, adventurous spirit for travel
• Rayna Nutakki for being such a self-reliant young adult with a calm, grounded presence, remarkable creativity, and for always inspiring me to stand out boldly
• Sudha Puvvadi for being the steadfast anchor of the family, endlessly understanding, encouraging, and unconditionally supportive—no matter what wild, #*(!)$*($ I come up with

I better stop here before adding to the water supply on earth ;)

Some data to conclude ::

• Total Distance 228 kilometers (trek+other)
• Elevation : 11,718 meters (Climbing up Eiffel tower 38 times)
• Highest elevation single day : 1253 meters
• Coldest : - 20℃ (-4℉)
• Trekking altitudes - 2554 meters to 5663 meters
• Most exhilarating : Walking on the Khumbu glacier
• Most terrifying : Sliding down the scree on way to Chola

Here’s a refined and slightly more humorous version:

From gruelling uphills to knee-crunching descents, questionable hygiene, and dodging yaks while sprinting across suspension bridges—I’ve had my fair share of adventures. And let’s not forget my accidental feud with kids over energy bars!

The six-pack remains elusive, leaving me with the ever-loyal single pack. Any weight lost on the trail has surely been reclaimed by my new, facial hair.

But on this trek as I wrap it up, through every challenge, every laugh, and every step, I feel alive.

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” — Sir Edmund Hillary could not have said any better in summary.