From 90 Meters to 7,126 Meters: My Journey to the Summit of Himlung Himal
Namaste! I am Regan Kharel, born and raised in the warm Terai plains of Baharadashi, Jhapa.
In my family, the world of mountains, climbing, and mountaineering studies was unknown. No one before me had stepped into this path.
But after completing my +2, I discovered Nepal Mountain Academy—the only government institution in the world offering a Bachelor’s degree in Mountaineering Studies. Something inside me clicked. I knew I had found my direction.
Convincing my family was not easy. Coming from a humble background with no exposure to mountaineering, the idea sounded unfamiliar and risky to them. But being the youngest among five siblings, I slowly gained their trust and support.
At the academy, I immersed myself in expedition history, mountain culture, and the stories of climbers who shaped Himalayan mountaineering. My childhood memories of seeing Kanchenjunga from my village also fueled my passion.
Over time, my love for photography blended with my fascination for mountains, and I developed a dream—to become a mountain and expedition photographer.
By the seventh semester, I had gained solid academic knowledge. Now it was time to step into real climbing.
On June 7, I climbed my first peak—Mera Peak (6,470 m). That climb completely changed me. I wanted more.
Just four months later, we prepared for our final academic expedition: Himlung Himal (7,126 m).
The Journey Begins
On 17 October, we left Kathmandu for Besisahar. The next day, we reached Koto and began our trek.
Day 1: Koto (2,620 m) to Meta (3,560 m) — 18 km in 7 hours.
Day 2: Meta to Kyang (3,870 m) — 6 km in 5 hours.
Day 3: Kyang to Phu Gaun — 3–4 km in 4 hours.
At Phu Gaun, during our acclimatization hike to 4,800 m, I saw Himlung Himal for the first time—silent, sacred, and unbelievably beautiful.
Life at Base Camp
Himlung Base Camp (4,870 m) was well-managed, thanks to Global Expedition Pvt. Ltd. After rest, we performed the traditional Puja ceremony, seeking blessings for a safe climb.
Rotation Climbs and Snowfall
Rotation 1:
We climbed to Camp 1 (5,400 m) and returned. Then the weather turned.
Five days of continuous snowfall trapped us at base camp. Visibility dropped. Many teams cancelled their climbs and went home.
We stayed.
Even in the tension and uncertainty, we supported each other—laughing, dancing, sharing food, and reminding ourselves why we were here.
Rotation 2:
We climbed to Camp 1 and Camp 2 (6,170 m) again. After the snowfall, everything was covered in soft snow. Sun reflection made climbing extremely exhausting. But we pushed through.
Preparing for the Summit Push
High winds forced repeated changes in our summit plan. Finally, our guides decided on 8 November just as previously scheduledP
Reaching Camps 1 and 2 again was harder than before. I used so much energy that I questioned myself. But with my team’s motivation, I made it.
We reached Camp 2 at 2 p.m. and prepared for the summit push at 8 p.m.
Summit Night
At 8 p.m., we stepped into the freezing darkness. The first section was gentle, but soon the mountain showed its true nature—steep 50–60° ice slopes and relentless wind. The cold burned my face and numbed my hands. Changing carabiners with frozen fingers felt almost impossible.
For a moment, doubt hit me:
“What if I can’t do this?”
“What if we have to turn back?”
But when I looked at my friends climbing through the same pain, I found the strength to continue.
From 90 Meters to 7,126 Meters: My Journey to the Summit of Himlung Himal.
At dawn, we reached the summit ridge. Only one final steep wall remained.
We climbed it.
The Summit — Himlung Himal (7,126 m)
At around 7:45 a.m. on 8 November, we stepped onto the summit of Himlung Himal.
The cold was unbearable. My face was almost frozen. I was close to frostbite. But the view was beyond anything I had ever seen. I sat down for about 15 minutes, breathing heavily, feeling every emotion at once.
Born at 90 meters above sea level, raised just a short ride from Nepal’s lowest point at 59 meters, and now standing above 7,000 meters… I felt proud. Emotional. Alive.
This was more than a summit.
It was the moment I understood who I truly wanted to become.
The Beginning, Not the End
This climb taught me resilience, patience, teamwork, and humility. Standing at the summit of Himlung Himal was not the end of my story—it was the beginning. It strengthened my dream of becoming a mountaineer, expedition photographer, and someone who tells authentic Himalayan stories.
Himlung didn’t just change my altitude.
It changed my attitude, my confidence, and my vision for the future.
@regankharel
