“How much longer to camp?”

“Fifteen more minutes”

*one hour later*

“Fifteen minutes, huh?”

“Yep, only fifteen more.”

 

This conversation between us and our sherpas happened a fair amount on our journey – especially on the longer days of hiking. The questions, "how far?", "how much longer?", were usually met with, "just beyond that ridge", or "fifteen more minutes". In reality, it never really mattered if it was fifteen more minutes or six more hours, we were always sure we would eventually make it to our next camp. That assessment wasn't based off of the skill set of our group, but instead made with full confidence in our sherpa team. 

 

 Our sherpas were instrumental in the success of our journey in Nepal and Tibet. It’s safe to say, none of us would have made it very far without our team of sherpas leading the way and helping us in any way they could. Seriously, I cannot state this enough, these guys were the best. Our guides, some of which had summited Everest over ten times, were all willing to lend a helping hand, a smile, a song, or whatever you needed to get across "the next ridge" or through the "next fifteen minutes". These men all have my sincerest gratitude. 

 

It is pretty much impossible to go through life alone. We need others for guidance, support, and motivation. On hiking trips, when your limitations are more apparent, it is easy to recognize this fact. But in our jobs, our personal lives, and everything in between, we can do more together. Always be willing to ask for help and support, and always be willing to give it. We all get by with a little help from our friends.