Namche to Dingboche (15 December to 17 December 2017)
Throw 12 people together. On holiday.
Throw in 13 support crew who work tirelessly.
All 25 have different expectations. All are going to be tested physically to varying degrees.
The outcome? Not what you’d expect.
The call goes out: does anyone have an iPhone charger?
Yes. The hands of team mates go up to offer assistance.
I have Vicks/Cold & Flu Tablets/Paracetamol: does anyone else need it/them?
Yes please.
Does anyone else want to go halves in a chapati/Snickers with me?
I will.
Can I have some of your alcohol hand wash?
Go for gold.
Snickers? Lolly? Peanuts? (Insert appropriate trail food here).
You’re a champion.
How is “insert team member name here” feeling?
Not great. But we’ve given him/her some help.
Have you guys eaten (to the Sherpas)?
No. We eat later.
25 individuals: we are from villages and big cities, we range in age from 20 to 42, we are from Darjeeling, Nepal, Greece, Australia, Hong Kong, UK and the Phillipines. We are siblings, married, partners, in-laws, friends, cousins and strangers.
The differences between us are more than geography. They are generational and cultural.
But we walk the same trails each day. We are left breathless by their beauty (and at times, their steepness).
We respect the role of each individual: we show gratitude and display humility for our porters, cooks, sherpas, Sardar and our leader each day. We believe in them and their ability to get us where we need to be.
We eat. And enjoy meal times together. These afford us the opportunity to support and take the piss in equal measure.
We play cards.
And the goal is clear. Everest Base Camp. On 19 December.
In 20 years of corporate life, I think I’ve only seen this once or twice. A team coming together like this.
The sceptic says “it’s because they’re all on holidays. There’s no pressure…”
So let’s add the cold (well below zero), days of walking, new food, altitude, tents, lodges, dust, no showers, toilet stories and sickness.
20 years in corporate life and it’s a similar combination:
– respect for each individual regardless of their role
– a bit of social activity
– and a common goal.
The combination works. These 25 people were remarkable individuals. And together they created an even more remarkable team.
Get Lost. Stay Curious.
The Chief Travel Officer 