What Was Going Through Our Heads When We Chose EBC

Everest Base Camp, one of the most well known treks in the world, where come spring representatives of all nations come in attempt to conquer the largest mountain in the world. Coming to Nepal we intended to do a Himalayan Hike but a more mild one, Annapurna perhaps. Nick, however, had his eye on a larger prize that would bring bigger bragging rights. After the examination of many blog posts on the subject, the purchase of guide books and many long and heated family meetings in which lengthy contracts were drawn up, we came to our decision. We would do our best to, as a family, reach Everest Base Camp.
Nicks Thoughts- "I think it would be cool to say that I've done Everest and kind of bragging rights." Nick was the driving force behind this undertaking that would test our patience as well as our bodies. When Michele and Justin tentatively planned Annapurna, he was there urging us to aim higher, litterally.  The fact that there was now a road halfway up the alternate option also deterred him. Nick was happy when he got his way and preparations for EBC began. Like the rest of the family, he was never 100 percent sure we would make it. "I thought that we would have problems with altitude," he confesses. We had long discussions about what we would do if one of us got Acute Mountain Sickness (Altitude Sickness) on the slopes and how it would effect our itinerary. This condition often strikes mountaineers when quickly exposed to low oxygen levels. If the victim does not descend immediately extreme cases end in death. Nick was also concerned about the stress day after day of hiking might put on our relationships. His faith was restored once the action plan in wake of arguments was decided upon in a contract.
Justin's Thoughts- "I really just wanted you kids to be happy," Dad says when questioned why he went along with Nick 's plans. During the planning stage he was always supportive of his son while thinking about worst case scenarios, strength and budget realistically. He did have some worries but just like Nick "once we laid them out in the conditions of a contract which we all agreed on, ratified and signed most of those concerns were alleviated." Justin just planned to let nature take things into her own hands to see wether we would reach Base Camp or not.
Michele's Thoughts - "I was really thinking about the commitment we were going to have to make to this 20 day trek." Initially Mom  tossed and turned, crossing her fingers that our rather inexperienced hiking family would be able to handle the nature of trekking. But in the end, her anticipation of conquering the biggest mountains, or at least  getting to them overruled her doubt and she too began to back her bag.
Anika's Thoughts- Like my brother I wanted the glory of being at Base Camp, in the shadow of monstrosities of mountains like Nuptse, Everest and Ama Dablam. I was excited for breath taking vistas, lots of exercise and memories to last a life time. I never really counted on getting to the end of the path but most people say the journey to the destination is the best part anyway. I was ready to hit the trail!