Our summit day begins in the early hours (around 2 AM) when the night is at its coldest. We gear up in the crisp, silent darkness, with only our headlamps lighting the way as we set off for the climb. The air is chilly, but as we ascend, our steady movement starts to warm us. We climb up the glacier and follow a gradual path towards Mera Peak’s summit ridge.

As we move, the first light of dawn begins to illuminate the surrounding mountains, painting them in hues of red and gold. This is one of the most awe-inspiring moments of the entire journey, watching the sun rise above the majestic peaks of the Himalayas—Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. The glow brings life to the snow-covered landscape and fills us with renewed energy for the final push.

The route itself is not technically difficult, but it requires determination and endurance as we make our way through the high-altitude terrain. The air becomes thinner, and every step feels heavier, but our focus and the guidance of our Sherpa team keep us moving forward.

As we approach the summit cone, we encounter a steeper section, and our guide may use fixed ropes to assist in navigating this part if conditions require it. The last few meters are a test of willpower, but we push through, motivated by the sight of the summit drawing near.

Finally, we reach the summit of Mera Peak at 6,654 meters. The feeling is indescribable—a combination of relief, exhilaration, and awe. Standing atop Mera Peak, we are surrounded by a panoramic view of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest (8,848m), Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and even Kangchenjunga (8,586m) in the distance. This is the moment we’ve all worked so hard for, and we take time to capture the views, take photos, and soak in the incredible achievement.

After spending some time at the summit, we begin our descent. The descent is much quicker, and with the sun now fully up, we can see the path clearly as we make our way back to High Camp. We rest briefly at High Camp, hydrating and having some snacks, before continuing our descent to Khare.

Reaching Khare in the afternoon, we feel a mix of exhaustion and triumph. The sense of accomplishment is palpable as we relax, enjoy a hearty meal, and share our summit experience with our team and fellow climbers.

Highlight: Early morning start to summit Mera Peak, breathtaking views of five of the world’s highest peaks at sunrise, and a challenging yet rewarding descent to Khare.