THE CHOSEN · BATTLE WITH A CERBEROSIAN PRINCE
42 43
The Chosen: Battle with a Cerberosian Prince Journey to Sagarmatha
Dorjee led them to the conference room so they could
receive a full briefing. The guys carrying the bags followed
and entered the room along with them.
“As I mentioned earlier, my name is Dorjee, and I will
be your expedition group leader. The men who have been
carrying your bags will be your sherpas for the expedition.
For your convenience, each one of you has been allocated
your own personal sherpa, who will guide and support you
throughout your entire journey. And before you ask, yes,
they all speak English.”
Everyone laughed.
“You have paid for the premium package. This means
you will receive the best crew, with the best equipment. The
bags they have been carrying are yours. We received your
measurements a few weeks ago, so we have tailored your
gear according to your respective sizes.”
Ana turned to one of the sherpas and opened the bag,
digging through everything.
“Ana…” Pippa said, reprimanding her.
“It’s OK. Please, all of you find your bag. It has your
name on it. Your sherpas have made sure all your equipment is there. Please take it out as we will run through the
equipment list and explain the purpose of everything.”
“You see, Ana, that wasn’t your bag,” Pippa said.
“I’m sorry,” Ana replied as she searched for her bag.
The sherpas had two nametags on their jackets, one with
their own name and the other with their climber’s name.
Everyone introduced themselves to their sherpas, and the
sherpas did likewise. Before Dorjee continued with his
briefing, they took a moment to check their gear, making
sure it fit right and that it was all there. None of them had
ever been trekking, so this was all new and exciting for each
one of them. Even Fang, who had been quiet and expressionless for most of this trip, was wearing a slight smile and
interacting with his sherpa, asking questions.
“OK. So, before we go through the equipment list, I
want to discuss the itinerary with you first.” Dorjee had a
presentation set up, with a few pictures and clips along the
way. He dimmed the lights and began the presentation:
“You will be attempting a feat that not many have the
privilege of accomplishing: conquering Sagarmatha, or
as it is known to you all, Everest. As of last year, roughly
4,000 climbers have successfully made it to the summit.
Some multiple times. I have been up there 11 times.
Unfortunately, with the many successes, there have been
many failed attempts, and at times some fatalities. There
have been at least 300 known deaths. The good news is,
with your uniquely tailored expedition, you will have a
large crew in place, ready to assist and make this as smooth
of a trek as possible. Let me make something clear though:
This is a very, very challenging experience. Your body will
be pushed to the limit. Your senses will be in overdrive
most of the time. You will feel like quitting more often than
not. But when you do push through all those challenges,
when you get to the point where you will yourself through
each life-draining step—when you are at the summit of
Sagarmatha—it will all be worth it. There is no better
feeling than knowing that you are on the highest point on
earth, literally on top of the world. Whether you are lying
lifeless, or standing in strength, atop that glacial, snowy,
Original preview spread 18