All this talk of the Yeti has certainly provided some local color to our visit to Serka Zong, but now it's time for the reason we came here in the first place... to conquer the tallest mountain in the world. "Expedition Everest," the tour we booked with Himalayan Escapes, is about to depart for Base Camp, and we're packed and ready to go!
At the rail station, an old boiler provides the hot water necessary to power the steam engines that will push our train through the mountains. All aboard! With a shrill whistle and a puff of white, we're bound for Mt. Everest.
A gathering of totems and prayer flags at the edge of the forest provide us one last reminder of the wonderful people and culture we experienced in Serka Zong... or is that one final warning to beware the wrath of the protector of the "realm of the snows?"
No matter. We wouldn't turn around now, even if we could. The scenery along the rail line is spectacular, from dense forests to thundering waterfalls, and ahead in the distance we can see our goal. To get there, we just have to cross Forbidden Mountain.
The air at this altitude is thin, but we slowly become accustomed to it, as we prepare ourselves for the ultimate ascent. A cool mist hangs in the valley, and our train makes a turn toward...
Wait! What's this?! The track is out ahead, but it's not just broken. The rails have been bent and twisted! A Lammergeier vulture hovers on a gust of wind above us. The animal's high-pitched cry is soon drowned out by a chilling howl, coming from the icy caverns behind us.
Just as we glance to our side and identify what look to be claw marks in the snow, the brakes on our train give way, and we start hurtling backwards into the dark abyss. The train comes to rest in a large cavern. We think we're safe, but a shadow cast from above reveals otherwise. As another train rolls by, a large creature swings into view, roaring after them and ripping up more of the track. Suddenly, it hears us. The Yeti is coming our way!
Our Sherpa throws a track switch and we start out the tunnel, full steam ahead, in an attempt to escape the clutches of the Yeti. Our train thunders to the base of the mountain, spiraling through forests and caverns.
Will we make it back from the Forbidden Mountain, or will we suffer the same fate of the legendary lost expedition? Hold on tight. It's going to be a wild ride!
(Photo ©Disney)
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