Graham
The one who suggested the long way.
BEYOND BASECAMP
The long way to Everest.
Everest Three Passes Trek · October–November 2026.
Five people. Three Himalayan passes above 5,000 metres. A clockwise journey through Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La to Everest Base Camp.
–DAYS TO
NEPAL
NEPAL
FROM THE JOURNEY
Latest update.
Training notes now. Updates from Nepal when we can send them. Read updates →
Seven Sevens completed
I started before dawn to test my night hiking kit and used the Steripen on stream water for the first time. I felt good most of the day. On the final descent off Meelmore, my quads and feet were hurting.
WHY THIS MATTERS
From County Down
to the Khumbu.
I wanted to find out what was still possible. On 25 October I plan to walk out of Lukla with my sons Aidan and Niall, my brother-in-law Stephen and Aidan’s friend Luke.
The preparation has taken us into the Mournes in all sorts of weather. Nepal will ask a different question: how do we manage long days together, above 5,000 metres?
MEET THE FIVE PEOPLE
Five people. One very
questionable idea.
Aidan
First marathon done. Next challenge: Everest.
Niall
Dad and big brother are going. Sounds like good craic.
Stephen
Fell runner, orienteer, brother-in-law. He was in.
Luke
After mountain running in Canada, the next challenge.
THE CLOCKWISE ROUTE
The long way
to Basecamp.
We turn west from Namche, cross three high passes and visit Everest Base Camp along the way. We finish walking in Chhukung, with a helicopter return to Kathmandu planned for 5 November.
- Lukla & Namche
- Renjo La 5,340 m · 30 October
- Gokyo & Cho La 5,420 m · 1 November
- Everest Base Camp & Kala Patthar
- Kongma La 5,535 m · 4 November
- Chhukung Finish walking
Itinerary sequence, not a GPS trail. Dates and elevations follow our confirmed itinerary; conditions may change the plan.
Explore the full interactive Route →EVIDENCE OF PREPARATION
Training for the
days ahead.
145 → 82 kgBodyweight
26 → 46Estimated VO₂ max
120 → 70 minSlieve Donard ascent
The Seven Sevens meant a pre-dawn start to test the dark kit, and a first test of the Steripen with stream water. I felt good all day, but my quads and feet were hurting on the final descent off Meelmore.
My personal benchmarks, from the earlier starting point to September 2026. VO₂ max is a wearable estimate; mountain times vary with conditions. What these measures mean →
I use AI to compare the plan with the training, sleep and recovery data. Long days in the Mournes test the legs and equipment; fitness at home cannot guarantee how we’ll adapt at altitude.
How I’m preparing for the Three Passes →08 / PHOTOGRAPHY
Along the way.
Explore the photography →GIVE & FOLLOW
For Nepal flood
relief.
We’re fundraising for the British Red Cross Society through its Nepal Floods Emergency appeal. The appeal links to the Disaster Fund, supporting people in Nepal and around the world. See the live total on JustGiving.
We’ve paid for the trip ourselves.
DONATE ON JUSTGIVING ↗