Lots of families take winter vacations together, but very few would put facing the mental and physical challenges of scaling to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Nepal on that list. Dean and Wendy Klippenstein, and their son Colton and

We hiked up to EBC during a storm. There were 60km hr winds blowing, snowing and -27. When we hiked back down to the tea house we were out of breath, tired and very happy to have done the trek. daughter Miranda did exactly that with family friends the Hanlen’s January 25th to February 1st. From the flat countryside of the Red River Valley to 18,000 feet above sea level at Everest Base Camp... that was the amazing story we shared Thursday on the Morning Show.

The story begins more than four years ago when the Klippenstein’s met the Hanlen family from Australia while travelling. The two families became fast friends, and since then have travelled to India, Egypt and now Nepal together.

The gruelling nine day climb from Lukla, Nepal to Everest Base Camp covered about 8,000 vertical feet in temperatures ranging from -15 to -20 every single day... not to mention a mountain trail that was nothing like the families expected.

Miranda and Wendy are our guests today to share this amazing story of perseverance in the face of one of the planet’s most formidable challenges. And whether it’s crossing the country in an RV, or in this case, climbing Mount Everest, every family vacation begins with a lot of planning.

 

 

Needless to say the Klippenstein’s, who are from southeast of Altona, were able to witness some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Earth during the climb. Wendy and Miranda reflected on that, and what they will take away from an experience few have taken on, let alone completed.

 

 

And we know the question you’re asking... why take on one of the most challenging climbs in the world? This is what Wendy and Miranda had to say.

 

 

And you can learn more about the Klippenstein family's adventures on their Facebook page Our Family Travels.