From Yoga to Everest: My Gear Checklist and Reflections for the EBC Trek

Another Himalayan adventure awaits—this time, to Everest Base Camp (EBC). My Kundalini Yoga mentor is celebrating her 60th birthday this year and she chose to honor this milestone by trekking to EBC.  I’m grateful to join her on this journey. Our trek begins this May 1, 2025 and ends on May 18, 2025.

The excitement is real, but so is my anxiety. For the past two months, I’ve been hitting the gym and climbing Mt. Makiling, hoping to prepare my body for the challenge. Still, I wonder if it’s enough. One requirement is 100 burpees daily; I’m not there yet! I manage 50, three times a week. But maybe, as with most things, progress matters more than perfection.

Jump off point is at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters) Source: Elite Exped

About Everest Base Camp

EBC sits at 5,364 meters (18,225 feet) on the south side of Mount Everest in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park. It’s the launching point for climbers aiming for the world’s tallest peak at 8,848 meters (29,031 feet). Our route starts at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters), then winds through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Debuche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and finally EBC, before retracing our steps. The slow pace is necessary for acclimatization, and every step brings us closer to the mountains and ourselves.

Training and Preparation

Preparing for EBC isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about mental readiness, too. The trek involves long days, steep trails, and high altitude, so building endurance, flexibility, and resilience is key. Conditioning hikes, like my Makiling climbs, are recommended, as is getting used to your gear and carrying a loaded backpack. It’s normal to feel unsure and like me, most trekkers wonder if they’ve trained enough. What matters is starting early, staying consistent, and listening to your body.

The destination: Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meteres (18,225 feet). Source: Elite Exped

EBC Gear Checklist

Here’s the gear list I’m packing, compiled from our organizer and seasoned trekkers:

- Packs: 65-liter duffel (carried by sherpa) and a 30-liter daypack

- Bottles: 1-liter Nalgene bottle and a thermos flask for hot drinks

- Shoes: Waterproof, ankle-supporting boots (broken in), trainers for evenings, flip flops for showers

- Head: Merino wool buff, baseball cap, beanie

- Clothing: Waterproof jacket with hood, windproof pants, 790-filled lightweight down jacket, fleece midlayer, thermal base layers, trekking pants (lightweight and fleece-lined for the evening)

- Gloves: insulated gloves and liners

- Underwear: Moisture-wicking underwear

- Socks: wool and liner socks

- UV-protective sunglasses, trekking poles, head lamp

- Sleeping: Down sleeping bag, sleeping pad

- Snacks: protein bars, trail mix

- First aid kit (Band-Aid, blister care, ibuprofen, antihistamine, antibiotics, Diamox)

- Others: hand/toe warmers, SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm, ziploc bags, Swiss Army Knife, travel insurance, Nepalese rupees (USD 250 for tips)

Reflections

This trek is more than a physical feat—it’s a celebration of life’s milestones, a chance to embrace uncertainty, and a way to reconnect with nature and myself. I’m excited, nervous, and determined to take it one step at a time. As a yoga teacher, I see this journey as a living practice of balance, endurance, and being present.

If you’re planning your own EBC adventure, may your gear serve you well and your spirit stay strong. Every mindful step brings you closer to the summit—of the mountain, and of your own dreams. 

Buddha says "Everything changes"

the 49-ft Maitreya Buddha

Week 8, Day 55. Today is a flashback to Thikse Monastery in Ladakh where the 49-ft Maitreya Buddha is located. It's quite timely to honor Buddha yesterday during Wesak and to be reminded of one of his Universal Truths that "Everything changes."

This lockdown is a glaring reminder that nothing is permanent. Impermanence is the very nature of life and is the only permanent thing. It teaches us to let go of things that make us happy as well as to let go of the challenges.

As Buddha taught, in this testing times, this is an opportunity to discover within the depth of our courage and resilience. There are so many things that I've realized that I can live without and thankful that I've learned how to adapt to this new normal.

We have another week in lockdown and hopeful that it's also another week closer to the end of it.
 Impermanence is the very nature of life and is the only permanent thing. It teaches us to let go of things that make us happy as well as the challenges. As Buddha taught, in this testing times, this is an opportunity to let go and discover within the depths of our courage and resilience. 

view of the Himalayas from the monastery

There are so many things that I've realized that I can live without and thankful that I've learned how to adapt to this new normal. We have another week in lockdown and hopeful that it's also another week closer to the end of it. Count your blessings! 
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Packing tips for the Journey into the Himalayas Yatra 2016

Hemkund Sahib (photo credit)

In five days, I'll be taking the flight out to Delhi, India and proceed up north to Haridwar to begin the sacred journey into the Himalayas with Yogi Amandeep. The trip is a yogis path traveling to deep esoteric scared sites for a total of  twelve days.  The first three days will be in Haridwar (314 m or 1,031 ft elevation) to visit shrines dedicated to Baba Sri Chand and Guru Nanak and to celebrate the birthday of Yogi Bhajan with a lineage holder of Kundalini Yoga.

From Haridwar,  we will be driving for a total of 11 hours visiting Rishikesh, Shankracharya along the way to Gobindghat (1,828 m or 5,997 ft elevation).  From there begins the trek on foot to Gobindham (3049m elevation) or what is called Dev Bumi, the realm of beings of lights. where we will be setting up camp.

The final destination  is Hemkund Sahib (4632 m or 15,192 ft), described as "the spiritual nerve of Mother Earth,  the source of all life on the planet that sustains the balance of the polarities and the electromagnetic field of the earth." Where the nerve ends is the 10th gate of mother earth, an energy vortex center.  The glacier lake is a healing lake that has the power to heal on many levels. The site is surrounded by seven snow-clad mountain peaks named after the seven primal sages known as Sapta Rishi. It is said that the first yogi science was transmitted to them on these peaks by the deity Shiva himself.

There will be a lot of trekking, yoga and meditating on this trip. The weather report says that Haridwar will be warm at 24-degrees centigrade, Gobindham at 12-degrees Centigrade and Hemkund Sahib at 3-degrees Centigrade; and to expect definitely some rain. We were advised not to bring cotton garments. Apparently cotton kills, when it gets wet or damp, it could cause hypothermia.

So, here's my packing list:

Himalaya Checklist (photo credit)

- Footwear. I have my Salomon X-ultra GTX gortex mid-cut hiking shoes with sturdy soles. Wool socks. Vaseline since I don't have wool liners to keep my feet from getting blisters. Slippers and extra pair of walking shoes.

- Layering. This recommendation is from Dr. Peter Rivera , an avid ultra distance runner and mountaineer, who I initially consulted for altitude medical sickness (AMS). He said to start with a good base layer which can either be from polypropylene, capilene or smart wool. He said that the secret to keeping warm is for "the base layer to fit like a second skin". He warned that I will sweat even when the environment is cold so breathable fabric should be used. The next layer is a technical shirt (dri-fit) that hugs the body to keep the warmth in. The third layer is a soft shell jacket which should contour the body. And lastly, a shell jacket and pants if it is too windy, snowing or raining.

- A wool or synthetic beanie and a UV baseball cap.

- Two pairs of gloves, a fleece and waterproof gloves.

- Shawl, scarf and a neck gaiter.

- Flashlight and head lamp and extra batteries.

- Water bottle and hot thermos for yogi tea (I'm crossing my fingers that the camp will serve this).

- Yoga mat and sheepskin for the daily kundalini yoga and meditation.

-  First Aid kit: antiseptic, wipes, bacterial ointment, anti-allergy meds, cetamid (acetazolamide for altitude sickness), antibiotics, ibuprofen, kinesio tape.

- Others: climbing pole, sunglasses, trail food, glucose, hand sanitizer, toilet paper. :-)

Altitude sickness is life threatening. I did experience altitude sickness in June at the Summer Solstice Kundalini Yoga festival in Guru Ram Das Puri, New Mexico at an altitude of 7,000-feet.  The symptoms are: headaches, difficulty breathing, cold extremities, dizziness, disorientation and vomiting.  I experienced all except the vomiting. The organizer was quite strict saying that if anyone exhibited symptoms of altitude sickness, the treatment would be to head down to lower altitude, like Espanola or Albuquerque, where more oxygen is available and the symptoms may be alleviated in a shorter time.

According to Yogi Amandeep, the mountains in the Himalayas are some of the few surviving mountains that are still living and can be used for meditation. He said "the history of ancient India states that whenever the hunger for truth is sparked within an individual, he/she will take the path that leads to the Himalayas." I am grateful to be given this opportunity to join the Yatra and meditate in the Himalayas in my lifetime. I pray that I seek the truth within, and come back transformed and transcended during this 12-day journey.

Training for the Sacred Journey into the Himalayas 2016 Yatra

with Yogi Amandeep in Guru Ram Das Puri in New Mexico

It was three weeks ago that I  received an email from Yogi Amandeep that I can join his yatra (pilgrimage), the Sacred Journey into the Himalayas called "Siri Hemkunth Sahib - the 10th Gate of Mother Earth, 12 days of transformation and transcendence."

I've been to the Himalayas before - at the foothills, in Rishikesh last year when I did the Stress and Vitality training module with Gurumukh and in the Nepal side in 2001 when I climbed Annapurna.  I've always dreamt of going to the Himalayas and follow a yogis path though, meditating inside caves, trekking in the snow, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

I only found out about the yatra when I was at the Kundalini Yoga Festival in Espanola, New Mexico last June.  I really wanted to go because the trip was everything I dreamt of doing plus a visit to Siri Hemkunth Sahib, a place known as a vortex center and revered as a sacred space which has powerful charged fields of consciousness.

Unfortunately, Yogi Amandeep told me that the yatra was already full and the registration has been closed since April. He made me hopeful when he said that he'll see what he can do when he returns to Canada on July 4.  I was relentless when I got back to Manila, emailing him to inquire if there's by any chance, any space left.

I was elated that after a number of emails, I finally received an affirmative reply. Of course, I was also panic-stricken knowing that I only had a few weeks to prepare for the climb. The website emphasized "This is not a tourist trip... it's a sacred journey into your higher consciousness. Participants should be physically fit and should be able to walk and trek long distances." The website also recommended to do some prior training  such as walking, hiking, bicycling to get in shape and stressed "you'll be climbing at high altitude."

This is the itinerary:

Aug 25-27   Haridwar 314m altitude
Aug 28        Rishikesh to Gobind Ghat 265 km by road, 11 hours; 1,828 m altitude
Aug 29        Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham 13 km by footpath 4 to 7 hours; 3,049 m altitude
Aug 30-31   Gobind Dham to Valley of Flowers 5 km by footpath 2 hours; 3,500+ m altitude
Sep 1-3        Gobind Dham to Hemkund Sahib 6 km by footpath 2 to 4 hours; 4,329 m altitude
Sep 4           Gobind Ghat to Haridwar
Sep 5           Yatra ends at 12 noon

Summer Solstice in Espanola at 2,133m altitude

The altitude is the most difficult part with the highest at 4,329m (15,000 ft). When I was in Espanola, I was down with altitude sickness on the third day. The elevation was 2,133 m (7,000 ft). I felt dizzy, my throat was parched and I had difficulty walking. I was given homeopathic remedy and rested.

You know the saying that goes everything's right when the universe provides. Well, that week I found out I can join, I immediately looked for a gym to train in. There was a cross functional gym right across the yoga studio where I teach in Podium. I inquired and was taken aback with the one-on-one coaching fee. That same day, I was with JP, my osteopath friend,  who I see for my monthly TMJ maintenance tune up. I told him about my predicament that I needed to train fast and at the  same time, safely without costing me an arm and a leg.  He said that he's been training with Coach Francis Capati in my hood and he'll ask if he can accommodate me.

ewith Coach Francis 

The rest is history. Coach Francis is heaven-sent!  His workouts vary from conditioning,  strengthening and endurance. The Coach would at times don a 20-pound weighted vest and clasp a 5-pound weight on each of my ankle (see right photo). He said that the weighted vest would simulate carrying a backpack load and the ankle weights to increase resistance, the higher the climb, the heavier  the load will feel especially at a high altitude.

As of today, I've seen him the last three weeks, seven times already and I was able to include a hike for 11-km to Mount Makiling's mud spring.  I've purchased an all terrain treeking shoes, a Salomon X-Ultra GTX mid-cut shoes and a 10-liter day Osprey pack which I now put on when I train.  Although, now I'm deliberating whether I should get high-cut shoes to protect my ankles.

At Mount Makiling

I've started out at 112 pounds (weight recorded on July 14) and I'm now 115.28 pounds, gaining some muscle weight. I've started to consume rice everyday and taking BCAA (branch-chain amino acids) to aid in the recovery process.

I have four more weeks to go before the yatra. I'm planning to hike Mount Makiling tomorrow targeting peak 2 and add more climbs the following weekends.

With Coach's training, carbs now in my diet and logging more sleep [as coach insists to do by the way],  I do pray that I make it up to Hemkund Sahib at 4,329 m. That's equivalent to 500-floors! So help me God.