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It’s the start of spring in the Himalayas. Sherpas and porters are gearing up for an onslaught of climbers, mostly affluent Westerners, currently en route to Kathmandu and the big mountains beyond. One year ago, as an official member of Expedition Hanesbrands, I was among the throng of Himalayan-bound travelers. My job was to be a journalist and blogger for the expedition, recording a trek from the village of Lukla, Nepal, and up into the Khumbu region toward the Big One, Mount Everest, which was Expedition Hanesbrands’ main goal. After more than a week of trekking, my group made it to Mount Everest Base Camp at 17,500 feet. The climbers in the group, Jamie Clarke and Scott Simper, as well as our Sherpa guides, would stand atop Everest’s peak a few weeks later, an ultimate success for the expedition after years of planning and months of work. Here are a few photos from the trip, a menagerie of images from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then up into the Khumbu and Everest far beyond. —Stephen Regenold
View of Everest from Kala Patthar, a small neighboring peak
Kathmandu: The start of most all Mount Everest expeditions and treks
Gear Junkie trying on (likely counterfeit) gear in a Kathmandu trekking shop
Lukla airstrip
First view of Mt. Everest
Little girl in village of Lukla, Nepal
Expedition Hanesbrands photographer and climber Scott Simper filming in Kathmandu
Porter with gear on the Mount Everest Trail
The Gear Junkie crossing a swinging bridge en route to Namche Bazaar
Guide Min Magar placing stone near khata scarf for a blessing
Chorten monument on trail to the village of Pangboche
Gear Junkie on the Mount Everest Trail
On the trek toward Pangboche
Expedition leader Jamie Clarke Readies a zopkyo for a gear load up-valley
On the trail with Mount Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam in the background
Yak driver on trail to Lobuche
Village of Gorak Shep, a dusty outpost just a couple miles from Everest Base Camp
Signpost at base of Kala Patthar, a popular “trekking peak” that’s over 18,000 feet high
Mountain view obscured by prayer flags at Sherpa memorial
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