My Story

Hi, I'm Maria Munib

Mum. Engineer. Mountain Dreamer. Born and raised in Pakistan, I spent several years living in Dubai before settling in Australia, which I now proudly call home.

I'm a mum to a little human who isn't quite so little anymore (in fact a teenager now), a devoted servant to three very adorable cats, and a Principal Consultant based in Sydney. I'm also a tiny sized engineer who wants to stand in front of the world's tallest mountain and simply ask it to let me stand there in complete awe (well in reference to Notting Hill movie)

Welcome to my journey to Everest Base Camp.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

It all started back in 2013 when I caught my first glimpse of the Himalayas during a trip to Nepal while living in Dubai. One morning, I very reluctantly agreed to a sunrise trip to Sarangkot. I complained the entire way, directing most of my frustration at my late husband while carrying a thoroughly unhappy nine-month-old baby. Looking back, it was definitely not one of my finest parenting moments!

When we arrived at the viewpoint, hundreds of people were already gathered there with tripods set up, patiently waiting for the sun to rise. I honestly couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. I clung to a warm cup of tea and wished the whole experience would hurry up so I could retreat to the comfort of my hotel room.

Then the sun rose.

Needless to say, I was completely blown away.

I had accounted for the lack of sleep, the early start, and the distance travelled, but I had completely underestimated how quickly those mountains would steal my heart and take my breath away.

Watching the first rays of sunlight spill across the Himalayas was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Right there and then, fuelled by instant noodles, a steaming cup of tea, and sheer determination, I made myself a promise: one day, I would come back.

As a South Asian (we are obsessed with tea and cricket) a new dream was born. One of my greatest wishes became having a cup of tea at the foot of the world's tallest mountain.

But life, as it often does, had other plans.

Years passed.

Work happened

Family happened

Life happened.

It took me more than a decade to stop focusing on life's setbacks and finally start focusing completely on what was calling me forward: my dream "Everest" and so i finally booked the trip.

FROM DREAM TO OBSESSION

Choosing my Everest

For years, I had immersed myself in the world of mountains and mountaineering. I followed remarkable climbers like Nimsdai, inspired by his determination and the belief that "giving up is not in blood." strolling to the nearby Nepalese restaurant and admiring their huge paintings of Everest while enjoying a cup of tea and an onion fritter. I watched inspiring documentaries, admired the extraordinary images and stories captured by a canadian film maker Elia Saikaly, and attended a Bear Grylls event that left a lasting impression on me. His closing message, "Choose your Everest," resonated deeply. What started as admiration slowly evolved into something much bigger: a dream, a goal, and eventually an obsession.

In fact, I became so obsessed that I started telling my family, "If I don't make it to Everest, then just bury me there."

I think I may have worried them a little. But i am so blessed to have such a supporting family, (yes my father freaks out quite a bit hehe, mum is super excited, sisters and their husbands who cheer me on and a daughter who just worries i will not stop talking about it) and an amazing network of friends who cheer me on and support most of my wild ideas.

WHY THIS BLOG EXISTS?

"Everest: Walking It Out"

Other than the obvious reason that my daughter is terrified I’ll never stop talking about it, I decided it was probably better to write about it.

This blog is about that journey, from the preparation and training to, hopefully, the adventure itself. It will cover:

Training and preparation

Lessons learned

Gear and planning

Trek itself

The highs, lows and unexpected moments along the way

Whatever happens out there, I know this journey will be one I'll cherish forever. More than reaching the destination itself, I want to enjoy every step that leads me there. More than the reaching the Base camp, this journey is about physically walking out the lessons life has taught me. The resilience, courage and the growth.

They say you don't climb mountains to conquer the peak—you climb them to conquer yourself. You can always survive and then thrive a life even if you have encountered heavy storms and steep challenges, I am taking my history of resilience, courage and growth to the roof of the world.

One step.

One breath.

One cup of tea.

One mountain.

The Journey Begins

Follow my journey to Everest Base Camp as I train, trek, and physically walk out all the lessons learnt in life, one high-altitude step at a time. After all, I've always believed that if life gives you mountains, you should go for a hike.

One thing I'm absolutely certain of is that Everest will never be my highest mistake. i have made plenty lol