Ever heard someone say, “this is my Everest” as a declaration of a high goal or ambition? For grade 7 student Sumedh G., this phrase became a reality when he hiked to the Mount Everest Base Camp. Despite Sumedh’s doubts and struggles, he began his adventure to the summit, and what followed was a story of breathtaking landscapes, inspiring encounters, and the triumph of perseverance.

How did your journey begin?

We started with an incredibly thrilling helicopter ride, which took us to Lukla, the starting point of our hike. That was my first brush with the majestic Himalayan range that seemed to float in the sky. Our pilot was fun and he let me sit in the front with him!

What stood out most during your trek?

Through the innumerable picturesque vistas, grand glaciers and waterfalls, tricky suspension bridges, and local mountain yaks, I found myself getting more and more engrossed in the natural beauty around me. I met Sherpas along the way, who appeared to possess god-like strength as they ran up tough mountain terrains with ease, I chatted with fellow hikers from all over the world and learnt about their journey, and I ate an insane amount of “dal-bhaat” (rice and lentils, cooked in a traditional Nepalese way) that gave me all the energy I needed!

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

As we started to ascend to higher altitudes, I found myself struggling. The lack of oxygen made it increasingly difficult to walk along what seemed to be a never-ending path to the next stop. At many points along the hike, I stopped longer than I should have, while at other times, I led the pack and felt strong. The support of my friends, family, and the guides who accompanied us made the ups and downs of the hike that much more bearable. It was a true testament to the CIS value of collaboration where we worked together, encouraged one another, and pushed as a team to conquer the challenges and reach our goal.

How did you prepare for the hike?

To gear up for the Everest hike, my family, friends and I focused on building stamina and endurance through weekly hikes up Singapore’s Bukit Timah Hill, which has an elevation of 165 meters. While the hill may seem small compared to the towering Himalayas, we tackled it ten times every weekend, turning the modest incline into a serious training challenge. This routine helped simulate the effort required for climbing steep elevations, even though we couldn’t train for the effects of high altitude. It was tough, repetitive, and a test of determination, but it laid the foundation for tackling the far greater challenge ahead.

What is one thing you have learnt from this journey?

My biggest learning from this experience is that as we each look to conquer our own ‘Everest’, all that matters is to put one foot in front of the other. Small and consistent steps can help all of us accomplish whatever we set our eyes on, no matter how daunting.

That’s so impressive, Sumedh. Thank you for sharing your story, we hope you continue reaching new heights—literally!