I grew up in the United States during a period of ongoing development in civil rights, notably the adjustment in society to value and regard women as equals, and now this seems like the natural order of things. It’s difficult for me to imagine seeing things differently, but in my visit to Nepal and the Khumbu region of the Sherpa people I got to know some families who interact in that way. In general the women in Nepal don’t enjoy the same legal status or the same social value as the men. From what I saw it’s not the worst social oppression in the world, but it’s hard to witness it in any degree. Among the Sherpa families a couple will hope to have a son to honor them and to give them acceptance in the community. They have the kind of attitude that they need to keep having children until they get a son. They probably wouldn’t just stop with 2 or 3 daughters without having a son.

Setting out on a trekking adventure in the Himalayas is not in the realm of a leisurely walk in the park. I know that’s obvious, but let’s put into perspective the effort and sacrifices required to undertake the experience. There’s a long list of opportunity costs against seeing the the world’s highest mountain peaks with your own eyes, and the time away from work and family and the money paid for travel are too expensive for many of us. Still the magnitude and challenge of hiking to see Annapurna or Mt. Everest is something that drives a persons passions and dreams for a lifetime. There are many people who casually daydream about pitting themselves against the trials of nature’s extremes and reaching planet earth’s ultimate elevation. Some take it seriously and keep a plan fresh on their lifetime “to-do” list, and they work to save up enough money and vacation time to take the excursion. Then there are some who are born to challenge the mountains and they center their lifestyle and livelihood on the pursuit of the greatest high adventure rush.