The Trek: Adventure and Enlightenment on a Climb to the Summit of Kala Patthar, Above Mount Everest Base Camp

David Schachne

Sep 2013 · Relevant Corporation LLC

About this ebook

The Trek tells the story of David Schachne's adventure in November, 2004, attempting to summit Kala Patthar, a mountain which towers above Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas. At 18,192 feet above sea level, the summit of Kala Patthar offers successful climbers one of the most amazing views of Mount Everest (29,035 feet) without having to put your life at risk by entering the Khumbu Icefall, or by climbing Mount Lhotse or Mount Nuptse. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Schachne loved visiting the great outdoors as a teenager, going camping and hiking in the Catskills and Adirondacks. Throughout his early adult life, he had a burning desire to go trekking in the Himalayas. He believed going there would make his life more fulfilled. Schachne certainly didn't expect his trek to be a "walk in the park", but he was ill-prepared for what was in store for him. Climbing for hours and hours each day while mentally and physically exhausted; confronting sub-freezing temperatures; dealing with illness, high altitude sickness, piercing headaches, wretched odors, utter filth, bacterial infections, dysentery and more, he endured two weeks of pure, nightmarish misery. In this riveting account of his gut-wrenching trek over fourteen sleepless days and nights, while malnourished, Schachne takes you along on each and every step of his journey. You'll experience the ups and downs of the hills and valleys, and the highs and lows of his personal triumphs and chaotic travails. He flies from Kathmandu in Nepal to the most dangerous airport in the world (Tenzing Hillary Airport), in a town called Lukla, then hikes to Phadking and Namche Bazaar, a virtual flea market at 11,000 feet, then Thyangboche Monastery and then Dingboche, Dzugla, Lobuche and Gorak Shep, before finally attempting the summit. Schachne reveals what originally led him to fall in love with nature, why he was so determined to go to the Himalayas, and why he persevered despite the brutal bodily punishment he experienced. Join Schachne for the most entertaining adventure of your life, as he takes you along on this thrilling, harrowing and laugh and cry-out-loud journey.

Ratings and reviews

I've just returned from a trek to Everest Base Camp. Although my experiences weren't as dire as David's, much of what he writes about is spot on.When you're back home and able to enjoy the simple pleasure of a flushing toilet with a seat, reading about the holes in the ground you sqatted over is laugh out loud funny. Ah, the memories. ..

The author gives his personal account of his failed attempt to hike to everest base camp. He moans from page one to the end! Interesting as I'm doing the trek soon but it's not the most exciting read.

This book was a wonderful reading experience. Had a hard time putting it down. Wonderfully written

About the author

David Schachne is an American businessman and author.  An avid hiker and fitness enthusiast, he began writing in his mid-twenties, while earning his Masters degree at Harvard Business School. He always had a strong desire to write - about anything - but instead focused on his business career for over twenty years. After 9/11, he decided to pursue his passion and started writing more extensively, combining it with his passion for trekking. He has trekked in many places around the world and has reached the summits of some of the tallest mountains in the U.S. and elsewhere. He has served on the boards of two successful businesses, as well as Make-a-Wish of CT. He is a fitness fanatic and is married with three children.