Unraveling the Essence of Trust: What Does It Mean?
Adventure Awaits on the Slopes of Kongma La: A Trekker's Tale
In the heart of the Himalayas, on the 25th of March, 2009, an extraordinary journey unfolded. The author, embarking on a trek up to Kongma La, was accompanied by Kalu Tamang, a seasoned Sherpa and guide, known for his unparalleled expertise in the region.
The duo's adventure began the day before, as they hiked from Everest Base Camp to Lobuche. The following day, they set off early, determined to conquer Kongma La, a "short-cut" pass to Dingboche.
As they ventured off-trail, descending some steep gravel slide slopes for approximately 20-30 minutes, the author and Kalu were driven by the thrill of the unknown. Kalu, with his intimate knowledge of the terrain, led the way, demonstrating his competence and care.
Upon reaching the top of Kongma La, the author was rewarded with a breathtaking view of a few lakes and tarns, and a broad valley. Kalu, ever quick on his feet, descended the slope swiftly, a common trait among Nepalis. The author, trusting in Kalu's abilities, followed suit.
The trails in this valley, as indicated in the guidebook, were rough and obscure. However, to the author's surprise, they were easy to follow. They stopped at a small stream to refill their water bottles, taking a moment to purify it with a dot of iodine.
As they made their way down, the author could see hikers and yaks from their off-trail descent, and it was a clear, sunny day. Yet, surprisingly, there were no yaks in the valley, as they had already moved out.
Kalu, ever mindful of the author's well-being, checked in, asking if he was okay to hike down from the steep gravel slope to Dingboche. The author, reassured by Kalu's attentiveness, responded affirmatively and continued their descent.
The author temporarily got lost during a previous hike but managed to find his way to Lobuche as the sun was setting. This experience, though challenging, likely strengthened the bond between the author and Kalu, as trust continued to grow through their shared challenges and repeated successful cooperation.
Upon reaching Dingboche, the author arrived about 80 minutes later than Kalu. Despite the slight delay, the journey had been a testament to the strong bond that forms between a trekker and a guide like Kalu Tamang, built on mutual respect, communication, shared challenges, and the guide’s demonstration of competence and care.
For those seeking a guide like Kalu Tamang in Nepal, Peter Owens, a fellow trekker, recommends reaching out to him at [email protected]. However, for detailed, firsthand descriptions of Owens' trek with Kalu Tamang, it is suggested to consult his published accounts or interviews.
Engaging in an off-trail descent from Kongma La, the author and Kalu, guided by the anticipation of the unknown, ventured into a path that led them to adventure-travel unlike any other. Following this hike, the author's lifestyle of trekking in the Himalayas was forever intertwined with a sense of travel adventure, inspired by Kalu Tamang's expertise and unwavering care.
