Before the trek: Anticipation and preparation
Earlier this year, MS Australia spoke with Jen Willis, the first Australian with multiple sclerosis (MS) to attempt to summit Mount Everest, reaching an incredible 8,000 metres.
Day 5 – Acclimatisation hike above Namche Bazar, 3,440m, to the Hotel Everest View, 3800m
The single mother of three was filled with excitement and anticipation as she prepared for her latest trip to the Everest region, looking forward to spending two and a half weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp.
This journey was not just any trip; she would be accompanied by 10 other individuals she had never met, six who also live with MS. Together, they would embark on a remarkable adventure.
Having previously climbed Mount Everest, Jen was no stranger to the challenges and rewards of such a journey. The support she received during her last climb was overwhelming, and it inspired her to return to Nepal. This time, she wanted to bring a group of people together to share in the experience, particularly those who faced similar challenges due to MS.
Jen volunteered to organise and coordinate the trip, covering her own expenses.
“My goal was to give back for all the support I received when I first climbed Everest and to let others who live with MS also experience the beautiful Himalayas and the culture of Nepal.”
Of the participants with MS, the group included four from Australia, one from the UK, and one from the US. Each member had a unique background, from a woman whose mother and grandmother also had MS, to a US veteran who served in Afghanistan, and a man with primary progressive MS.
Despite some anxiety and apprehension, everyone felt capable and excited to embark on the adventure together.
“One of the challenges was to ensure, as best as possible, people felt informed and understood the trip that they were signing up for. We had to prepare for navigating different diets that a lot of us with MS need to monitor very carefully, how to dress and manage our different temperature regulation challenges. More than anything, we had to prepare for how we would communicate our needs to the guides that we had on the trip and the places we were staying when English wasn’t their first language.”
Day 6 – Resting in front of a Buddhist stupa on our way to Khumjung, 3,780m
Jen hoped the climb would be enjoyable for everyone and would provide an opportunity to confront and overcome self-limiting beliefs and expectations.
While the stunning views of the Himalayas were not guaranteed, the cultural experience and the shared journey were invaluable. The trip promised to create new, shared chapters in their lives, set against the backdrop of the majestic mountains.
A unique aspect of this trip was the filming of a documentary. Jen organised for a videographer to join the group and capture their journey from preparation to the trek itself.
The resulting documentary will follow their collective and individual stories, showcasing their experiences with MS and the motivations that brought them to Nepal.
During the trek: The journey unfolds
Day 7 – trekking from Khumjong to Deboche, 3,710m
As the group set out on their 14-day trek to Everest Base Camp, the initial excitement gave way to the physical and mental challenges of the journey.
The path was arduous, but the support and camaraderie among the group members was ever present. Each day brought new experiences, from breathtaking landscapes to the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people.
The group members, though from different parts of the world, bonded over their shared experiences and the common goal of reaching the base camp.
Along the way, however, Jen and her fellow trekkers faced numerous obstacles.
“At different points, along the 130-kilometre round trip, almost every one of us had to navigate some sort of illness … either some sort of stomach upset, some sort of upper respiratory chesty something and a couple of people the impacts of the altitude.”
Despite the challenges, Jen found herself continually inspired by her new friends.
“Our arrival into EBC marked a significant milestone for every one of us, a reminder that we are out here living our best lives without a sense of being limited by MS.”
Day 8 – trekking above the Dudh Kosi River on our way from Deboche to Dingboche, 4,410m
They faced obstacles together, providing encouragement and support to one another. The videographer captured these moments, adding depth to the documentary they are creating.
The unpredictable weather of the Himalayas did not dampen their spirits. On clear days, the views were spectacular, reinforcing their determination to keep moving forward.
Even on tougher days, the sense of accomplishment and the collective spirit kept the group motivated.
They were not just trekking to a destination; they were journeying towards a deeper understanding of themselves and each other.
After the trek: Reflection and realisation
Day 10 – from Dingboche to Lobuche, 4,910m, on a cold and misty day!
Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the sense of achievement was overwhelming.
For Jen, the true significance of their adventure was more than just a trek; it was a testament to the strength and resilience of those living with MS.
The group had overcome physical hardships and personal doubts to stand at the base of the world’s highest peak.
It was a moment of triumph, not just of mountains, but of the challenges posed by MS.
“As we got closer to Base Camp, I got more and more emotional. And by the time we were in Gorakshep, I was a bit of a teary mess because everyone had made it to that final town and the next morning was just a short day walk to Base Camp and back.”
For Jen, the sense of walking alongside others to get to their destination was profound.
“Even though it’s a journey I’d done before, it was different being a part of so many other people’s achievements. It was also about understanding and having my own lived experiences of the challenges of MS and knowing at different times the looks on people’s faces. We all knew what each other was going through at different moments on different days, and so it was not just seeing the people on this journey, but knowing how much effort and tenacity they put in, how deep they dug to reach that place.”
Day 11 – Everest Base Camp! 5,346m
The trek brought together a diverse group of people, united by a common goal and a shared struggle. They have created lasting memories and forged bonds that will long endure.
Jen feels immense gratitude for the opportunity to lead such an inspiring journey.
She hopes that their story, documented on film, will serve as a powerful story of hope and determination, inspiring others facing similar challenges.
The transformational trek to Everest Base Camp has sewn seeds for an initiative Jen is hoping to establish, called Climb Your Mountain.
“Climb Your Mountain is about the art of fearless living – both physical mountains and metaphorical mountains. I’m keen to put together some programs that can help others with MS, and those without MS. I’m also looking at ways to take more people with MS back up to Base Camp.”
