Celesta

By Ivan Yung

Edited by Sophie Gain & Michelle Ma

It was a sunny and brisk morning when a party of 10 people set out on their trek to hike Mount Everest. The group was made up of different hikers, each of whom had a unique motivation for embarking on this great undertaking. The anticipation as they started their ascent was apparent since they had all spent months getting ready, both physically and mentally.

As they had heard tales of the infamous snowstorms that may occur on Everest, the crew was aware that they needed to exercise caution. Even if they were all outfitted with the most modern equipment, what lay ahead would still be a problem.

The gusts soon increased and snow began to fall rapidly as they resumed their trek. The snow made it impossible for the crew to see the route, forcing them to slow down. To remain warm and maintain their spirits, they decided to cuddle together. They were soon in the middle of a major snowfall, without no sign of it ending.

The group's most experienced hiker understood that they needed to take action to ensure everyone's safety. They decided to camp out and wait for the storm to subside, hastily erecting their tents. As the howling wind and the sound of the snow pelting their tents blocked out their voices, they communicated using hand signals and writing on paper.

The storm only grew more severe as the hours went by. Their team leader understood that they needed to maintain a positive attitude, so they amused one another by telling jokes and exchanging personal stories. Additionally, they made hot meals and drinks to keep their bodies warm.

As the storm intensified, the squad was made well aware of their hazardous situation. The temperature was decreasing fast, and they were rapidly running out of supplies. Knowing they couldn't possibly continue their climb, they took the difficult choice to give up their endeavor to reach the top. They knew they had to move quickly, so they hurriedly gathered their belongings and began their descent through the storm.

The team finally arrived at a lower altitude, where the storm had already passed. Although they were cold and worn out, they were still alive. They returned to base camp, where they were welcomed with hot coffee, warm blankets, and a sense of relief.

Despite failing to reach the top, the crew was proud of what they had done. They had overcome one of the most difficult obstacles that nature could provide them and emerged more robust. They had learned how to function as a unit and understood what genuine tenacity was all about.

As they turned to face the snow-covered summit, they knew that one day they would return to climb Mount Everest. But for the time being, they were pleased with the knowledge that they had faced and overcome one of the biggest challenges of their lives.