I woke up at 4:00 am on the morning of my ascent of Mount Everest, my heart pounding with excitement and nerves. I had been preparing for years for this moment, and now it was finally here.

I quickly dressed in my warmest layers and headed to the dining tent, where I grabbed a breakfast of oatmeal and coffee before setting out on the long, grueling journey ahead.

The first part of the climb was relatively easy as I made my way through the thick forests that blanket the mountain's lower slopes. The air was crisp and fresh, and the sun began rising over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

As I hiked higher and higher, the trees thinned out, and the terrain grew steeper and rockier. My breathing became labored, and my muscles began to ache, but I pushed on, determined to reach the summit.