Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu (from l. to r.)

Perfect timing. Just when we reach the 5380-meter-high summit of Gokyo Ri, the clouds around the top of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu turn orange. „The mountains are burning“, our guide Dipak Giri says. Step by step the first sunlight also meets the other summits around us: the eight-thousander Cho Oyu, the six-thousanders Cholatse, Kantega, Thamserku and in the distance Gaurishankar. A 360-degree panorama which is without equal. We were the only ones, who set off from Gokyo at 4,770 meters at 4 a.m. to admire this unique spectacle. Now we are sitting below the prayer flags and hardly believe our eyes.

Champions League of memories

Cho Oyu in the first sunlight

Those, who don’t believe in God, here they could possibly find their faith. This moment is so beautiful, nothing less than magic. Almost too good to be true. You try to absorb this moment and put it into a virtual plastic bag, so that you can pack it out anytime. Unfortunately this rarely works out. But without doubt this sunrise belongs to the Champions League of my memories. I am just grateful.