Seventy years ago, when New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay first reached the 29,029-foot summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, it marked the beginning of a new era. What was once an unexplored domain, reserved only for the hardiest of adventurers, was now an ambitious goal for thousands around the globe. Everest had become an ultimate hiking and mountaineering challenge.
Each spring and fall, as conditions permit, hundreds flock to Everest Base Camp at 17,585 feet, either to support climbers or simply to trek and touch this magical place. The allure is undeniable, but many also come with a deep respect for the mountain and its environment. Sustainability and minimizing impact have become a priority.
This year, UK-based Latvian company BRITTECO joined an expedition organized by Nepalese leader Chengha Tsering Sherpa. His mission was to spread a message of peace by carrying a statue of Guru Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist master, to Everest’s summit. For BRITTECO, it was an opportunity to connect with nature and test their limits, while supporting Sherpa’s noble environmental and spiritual goals.
Inspired by Latvian mountaineers Andris Balodis and Juris Ulmanis, the BRITTECO team reached Everest Base Camp in mid-May. On May 17 at 5.20am, Balodis became the 10th Latvian to stand atop the 29,035-foot pinnacle. Ulmanis soon followed as the 11th on May 29 at 11.08am, the 70th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s pioneering ascent.
But for the BRITTECO team, the true rewards came not from records but from communing with the power and beauty of the Himalayas. Spending weeks above 13,000 feet, they developed a profound appreciation for these mountains and the people who call them home. Witnessing Sherpa’s mission firsthand gave them new perspective on environmental activism.
As Ulmanis described, escaping the illusions of daily life brought deeper meaning: “We live in a state of dreams, money, scandal, war – illusions. But in the mountains, you understand it’s all illusion.” The tranquility of Nepal showed a wiser way of life, closer to nature.
Even Everest, for all its commercialization, retains its magic. Reaching Base Camp, they could feel its primal draw. The mountain reminds us that records and summit counts, while impressive, mean far less than the personal journeys that lead there. With pure intent, free of ego, even this overrun peak can inspire and renew the soul.
Everest opened their eyes to a responsibility we all share – protecting our shared natural spaces, while appreciating diverse cultures. Though a trekking company or nonprofit, reducing impact is vital. Small choices add up, from supporting local communities to packing out every scrap of trash.
BRITTECO, a Latvian-owned and operated company based in the UK, brings this same spirit to its work. As an environmentally focused fuel services business, sustainability is central to its mission.
10 Fascinating Everest Facts
- Temperatures average -36F (-33C) in winter and -2F (-19C) in summer.
- Winds can exceed 200 mph. The record is 231 mph.
- Khumbu Icefall is the most dangerous area, with unpredictable, shifting ice.
- In 1978, Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler were the first to summit without oxygen.
- Babu Chiri Sherpa holds the record for longest Everest summit: 21 hours!
- It was named for George Everest in 1856, despite him never seeing the peak.
- 29,029 feet was first calculated by Indian mathematician Radhanath Sikdhar in 1852.
- Over 500 climbers and 2000 Sherpas attempt Everest each year.
- Thousands more trek to Base Camp annually, with spring and fall seasons.
- Glacial melt and overcrowding pose environmental threats.
BRITTECO returned from Nepal with immense gratitude and a commitment to protecting such places. As their team can attest, connecting with nature is food for the soul. It reminds us of what matters beyond work and distractions.
Everest will always inspire that sense of awe, no matter how many set foot on its slopes. BRITTECO is proud to support Sherpa’s mission of sharing its gifts while safeguarding its future. A film chronicling their journey will debut soon, taking audiences along on this trek to remember.
If you want to know more about BRITTECO‘s passion for protecting the environment and relentless focus on recycling whever possible, why not drop us a line to see how we can help your project.
