This post features student writing by Mimi.

The night before, Chhyamba told us we were going to attempt to see Everest in the early morning. If the weather was good, we’d wake up at 4 AM, hike for an hour and a half, see the Top of the World and be back at the Girls Dorm for 7:30 breakfast. When my alarm went off at 6 AM, I was disappointed but understanding that there was nothing we could do about the clouds. When I went to get my morning hot chocolate, Mingmar, Chhyamba, Anna, Katie, Alexa, and John were sitting around and admiring the amazing mountain view right next to the common room/dining area. The sky was clear and you could see mountain peaks perfectly. After breakfast the leaders announced that because the skies were now clear we were going to do the original plan and hike to the Everest Viewpoint to see what we could see! It was so exciting to hear this news.

The first hour and a half was very steep with slippery uphills. Mingmar led the way. We took many water breaks and the view behind us was unobstructed. But unfortunately when we got to the top we were 0/2 and didn’t see Everest; clouds blocked the view. We waited for a half hour at the top but the clouds just got darker. The feeling reaching the top was still magical, though. We made our way back down and it was extremely slippery, which made for a very silly adventure all the way down.

After lunch, we resumed our normal routine heading to the work site and moving mostly rocks and dirt. When we walked back to the Girls Dorm in the late afternoon, it was pouring rain. After tea and cookies it was time for dance, which Mingmar says we’re 85% done with. Then it was time for more independent project presentations. Elijah and Frances each presented about Nepali cooking and regional cuisines. I presented on waste management in Nepal and particularly Salleri village. Maia presented on certain aspects of Tibetan Buddhism/Vajrayana and Sofia presented on construction and manual labor in Nepal. After, we played our usual cards and volleyball. Dinner at 6:30 followed by nightly family meeting. Everyone went to bed early, tired from the morning hike.

Though we didn’t get to see Everest today, it was about the journey, not the view—  as well as the happiness shared between, as it’s been with all of our adventures on this trip.

— Mimi