Deep Roots Podcast - Season 2

SEASON 2

MOUNT EVEREST

Mount Everest standing at 8848 m, is the highest mountain on Earth. In 2021, after one postponement, 3 years of preparations and a whirlwind to make the plane after the birth of his first child, Damian had the privilege to attempt to climb to the top of the world. Season 2 is a story of unexpected challenges, determination and grit told with confronting honesty, inspiring vulnerability and compelling authenticity.

“The day dream just became a reality”

Season 2 has arrived in true Damian Browne Fashion, with a story.

After three years of preparation, training and a lifetime goal. On April 9th Damian landed in Nepal to begin his latest adventure. To climb Mt Everest.

Listen in and follow Damian’s footsteps live, as he takes you the listeners to the top of world’s largest mountain.

After landing in Lukla and meeting my guide Anup, we realised one of my bags hadn’t made the flight and would be coming on the next one in an hour or so. Nobody seemed to stressed about this so we found a tea house with a great view of the infamous runway and had some breakfast.

Sure enough the duffle arrived as promised along with our porter who committed to carrying both my bags!

“Nah, there’s no way! How? A headache?!?!

These were my first thoughts as I rose from a 2.5 hour sleep after arriving in Namche. I couldn’t believe it. I had felt so smooth and strong throughout the day, drank plenty of fluids and now after a deep and restorative sleep, I awake to this."

As we reach the viewpoint I’m instantly blown away by what I see. Surrounded (literally) by 6, 7, and 8 thousand meter peaks, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. One of the first thoughts to come up for me was, “everyone needs to witness this once in their lives”.

Day 3, a good day in the scheme of life. Happy to be here.

Onwards

A day that can be divided straight down the middle into two contrasting halves.

A rushed and bouncing concentration on non-negotiables that need to be done each morning before we start our hike leads to a disturbing and unfocused mental state for the first few hours of today’s journey from Namche to Debouche.

Day 5: Debouche (3800m) – Pheriche (4200m)
&
Day 6: Pheriche (4200m) – Acclimatisation Hike (5100m) – Pheriche (4200m)

One of the benefits of trekking alone as I catch up with my team is no roommate. No roommate equals one free bed, which in turn means two duvets, and believe me both are needed. Even with two duvets draped over me I’m still sleeping fully clothed.

Welcome to day 7. The Story Continues…

Yesterday Anup and I arrived at Lobuche basecamp to finally unite me with my team. They themselves had just arrived back from Lobuche high-camp where their summit attempt was foiled by the overnight snow dump. And so it begins…

Today is Puja. Puja is a ‘right of passage’, one in which all climbers & Sherpas take part before our long & difficult journeys to the summit. The Puja Ceremony is performed to make contact with the divine Sagamartha or Mount Everest and to pray for a safe expedition.

It started with one of the worst nights of sleep I have ever experienced. The sweats, nausea, headaches, constant vivid nightmares (mad shit about guides, sherpas, mountain life, permits and not getting kicked off the mountain), diarrhea, and lastly, Cheyne – Stokes breathing. This is basically where you stop breathing momentarily mid-sleep. A disconcerting way to wake yourself up.

A tough night on the mountain for Damian.

I laugh at how many times I’ve had this realisation and how it’s yet to take its place as a permanent reality in my mind, despite the many hours and days spent experiencing it over the last 3 years; mountain living is hard.

This morning is the first morning I’d venture to say I feel nearly “normal”. Definitely, I’m in a much better place than the last 3/4 mornings. Gone are all the momentary physical warning signs brought on by hastiness or overeagerness.

Another good sign I’m moving in the right direction.

Day 14: EBC to 5600m in the Khumbu Icefall – Day 15: EBC to Pumori BC (5740m)
A storm has arrived at base camp.
I don’t understand what is wrong with me. It’s never been this challenging before for me to acclimatise, not even close. I feel weak, drained, fatigued just moving around camp. It makes no sense. My appetite is good, in fact, after yesterday’s efforts, I made it my mission to consume loads of calories and water for recovery, and yet I still wake tired and weak……

Covid-19 had struck the mountain.

Listen and follow Damian’s story as he attempts to summit Mt Everest. Stepping over unexpected obstacles.

Quite the change of view in 24hrs.

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“These Covid symptoms can best be described as tidal. Waves of feeling a little bit better than a little bit worse…”

The last days of quarantine with eyes set back on the mountain.

Day 27 and 28 see’s Damian hike to Pumori base camp for the third time in his journey. This followed by a trek into the icefall and on to camp 1. The start of ‘ Hard shit’ in terms of climbing begins, but bright days are looking ahead.

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Taking steps on Everests famous ice-falls…

14 and half hours of deep blissful sleep! I would never have guessed I could spend so long in a sleeping bag. That should help efforts to reboot the body post yesterday’s icefall climb.

Shortly after Pingju arrived at my tent with some hot water for breakfast, I recognize some familiar voices from the comfort of my sleeping bag. My

Damian offers up open and honest feelings about living on the world’s largest mountain.

A huge day ahead for Damian as he attempts to reach the highest point on this rotation & the highest point he has been to ever.

What’s in store is a long road ahead mentally.