When I was able to admire it with my own eyes a year ago, I never imagined the connection I would make with that mountain for the rest of my life. I was on Kalapatar, a peak at 5,550 meters elevation, at sunset, realizing a dream that had loomed in my imagination years before. The highest peak in the world was there in the distance and about 20 kilometers away, which at those heights equals about 500 in reality. No matter, it was in the lens of my camera.

However, the most exciting part of that memory came to me today, when Luis Escalante also did it a few hours ago in the distant Himalayas of Nepal. Inspired by my photos on Facebook about ten months ago, he took the plunge and embarked on the adventure designed for those of us who are not mountaineers but simply dreamers. And now, who will go next year, will it be you who will be inspired by these pictures and stories from far away? In this picture, Luis draped himself with the Costa Rican flag and placed it in front of him, as if to suggest that someone should soon place it on the top of the mountain itself. And because of this, I am sure it is a photo message for Gineth Soto.

And who is Gineth Soto? She is a brave Costa Rican like no other. Among very few in the world, she is a Costa Rican who is preparing to reach the very top of Everest at 8,848 meters elevation, above the line of death and in a dimension of challenge like no other on the planet. Gineth will be going for his second attempt, and without a doubt, his success at the summit. Inspiration follows inspiration after inspiration, and along the way it is not difficult to convince ourselves that nothing is impossible, especially because when we can no longer do it, God can.

I will write a little more about my adventure to Everest Base Camp in a few days. In the meantime, I smile in my soul for my friend Luis Escalante, who at this moment begins the descent from Kalapatar and Base Camp in the direction of Costa Rica. Luis: I want to hear all about it! Congratulations brother.

And to Gineth Soto, all the energy and determination, resilience is the word, strength and God in your heart. Next May you will make the summit of Everest, while the rest of us will follow you, we will accompany you, we will send you support with our prayers. Do you want to know more about Gineth? I invite you to her blog here: https://ginethsoto.blogspot.com/, follow her on Facebook, send her messages, let’s all cheer her up, her adventure will soon continue.

Exactly one year ago I was there among the highest mountains in the world. Today I am also there with my memories and the illusion of those who live them at this moment, like Luis, or of those who will conquer them very soon, like Gineth will.