Finding Strength & Courage in the Himalayas

I am not an intrepid hiker; I did not grow up in the outdoors or spend Labor Day camping with the family. As an adult, I discovered hiking as a way to deal with the severe anxiety and stress of my job as an emergency veterinarian. This escalated to a crazy idea that I wanted to go climb mountains.

I attempted Kilimanjaro in 2018 with minimal preparation or training. I did not summit, but I learned so much (especially how important training is) and became hooked on the mountain for the serenity, the challenge, the beauty, and the personal growth I found in the adversity. Seth Quigg brought me into the next chapter of this new passion. I met Seth way back in 2014 through mutual friends, and we stayed connected over the years via the magic of social media. Seth is one of those rare humans who brings so much good into this world and is a genuine person who lives by his ethos to leave this world a better place. I have always admired his spirit and dedication to philanthropy, so when he turned those values into The Karuna Project with his partner Nicole Blaser, I knew I wanted to be part of it. The pilot trip was also a journey to Everest Base Camp, which had always been a dream of mine, so I knew I was in.

Our group landed in Kathmandu in late November 2023. Seth and Nicole took care of every detail, and the crew they brought together to take us to the mountain was incredible. We had a couple of days in Kathmandu, including a day of cultural immersion as well as a day visiting the local school that our trip was helping to support. Seth and Nicole both carry such a great love and deep respect for Nepal and its people; these two days became such a special part of the experience for me as I was able to develop a new love and spiritual connection to the country that had welcomed us.

The next two weeks of trekking up to EBC was the hardest thing I have ever completed in my life- there were days I wanted to quit, but Seth, Nicole, Chandra, and the team never let me give up. The leadership, knowledge, and dedication of each member of our group were unparalleled. Seth and Nicole’s extensive experience ensured not only our success but also our safety by making our health a priority. The hard days were balanced by comradery, joy, and sharing this life-changing experience and goal. The entire leadership team put so much time and effort into each and every day. I know that it was this dedication and experience that made this trip what it was for me. Standing at Base Camp, knowing that I had made it and was able to celebrate with some of my favorite people, will remain one of the highlights of my life.