Randy Bloomfield recently took three weeks time away from his life as a professional photographer, surfer and father to join a small group of close friends on a trek to KalaPattar, Mount Everest. A journey to Nepal had been on Randy’s travel to do list list for over 10 years, and the occasion of a best friend’s 40th birthday and the mountain trek transformed the dream into a reality.

Randy and his companions fly 18 hours from Los Angeles into Katmandu before heading to the mountain. “Getting off the plane you immediately notice the smell of Katmandu”, he observes. “It smells like Asia, but also reminiscent of being in New York City in the summer after it rains. Musty and damp, and the occasional whiff of incense mixes with garbage.” Written by Anthony Smyrski

He’s particularly impressed by the astounding colors and and non-stop energy the city possesses, as well as the kind nature and spirit of the Nepalese people. Randy’s camera shutter is busy, the eclectic vibrance of the streets offers hundreds of marvelous photo opportunities.

After 3 days in Katmandu the crew boards a plane headed to Lulka, the entry point to Mt. Everest. “The  temperature  drops 45  degrees  or so at 9,300 feet, so don’t get off the plane in shorts and sandals as I did”, Randy advises. The setting has drastically changed, and the peaceful mountain ranges starkly contrast the busy and narrow streets of Katmandu.

A talkative sherpa named Sonam Hishi masterfully guides them through the long and lofty route. Sonam takes every precaution to ensure his charge’s safety, and enjoys relating stories about his life and the Himalayas. Randy says,”The Sherpa is so in tune with nature. Their life revolves around the seasons and the harvest. Looking in  from the outside world it seems their life is very basic. Almost  subsistence  living. But they have everything they need.”

After six days of sometimes brutal hiking the team are in sight of their goal, KalaPattar, 18,200 feet above sea level. The name means “Black Rock”, and it offers a staggering view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, the icefall, the Khumbu Glacier, Changtse peak, and other surrounding mountains.

Despite experiencing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), Randy reaches their summit. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment ensues. He remembers, “I had trained super hard to make it to Kala Patar, and you never know what may happen.  Out of our group of six, only three of us made it to our summit. You feel very small standing next to all of the giants that surround you, they are so enormous.” Randy surveys his surroundings, shoots some photos, and then starts the six day journey back down the mountain.

Randy is a dedicated family man. When asked if the trip helped him break up the stress of running a business, he replies,”Being away from your family for three weeks is more stressful than leaving the business. It’s a lot of time to a five year old and a wife that has to act as the Mom and Dad at the same time.” However he did find the trip reinvigorating, and the break from routine certainly helped his creative spirits and outlook.

He also thinks back to the unique perspective the sherpas have on life. “You will see many westerner’s on the trail hiking with headphones on, charging through the trail to get to their destination ahead of anyone else. As they pass their heads are down and they do not say “hi”. It seems the goal is only to move forward. What a waste! You are in an area of overwhelming beauty, not to take all of it in seems to me a tragedy . Usually our everyday life does not allow a lot of time to smell the roses or to wave hello to some one. But the sherpas seem to have this worked out, they take the time to enjoy the moment and their days here.” This might be one of the most valuable and memorable lessons learned along the way.

Randy is happily married to his wife Lon, whom he met while on assignment in Thailand. They live with their beautiful son Kai in San Diego. In 2001 they founded their own business photographing pregnant women called 31 Weeks.