4 April 2023, Beirut: After spending the last six years trekking the majestic mountains of Lebanon, renowned Lebanese TV and radio personality, John Saad, has stepped up his passion a notch by embarking on his first trekking adventure outside Lebanon. On April 4, 2023 Saad landed in the high-altitude Hilary Tenzing Airport at Lukla, Nepal, to take the “glorious steps to heaven” en route to “Everest Base Camp Trek”, which is one of the most picturesque trekking routes in the Himalayas.
The Challenge
“The Everest Base Camp Trek is a 140 km round trip, which is divided over a span of 14 days. It takes approximately eight days to get to Everest Base Camp, at an altitude of 5,364 m, and four days to get back. Upon arrival to the EBC destination, the challenge is to climb Mount Kala Patthar, at an altitude of 5,644 m, for the most spectacular closeup view of Mt Everest,” said Saad, the Founder & CEO of The Official Lebanese Top 20, who also expressed a great thrill to visit Sherpa villages and people along the way.
Everything starts with a dream
“In a country bogged down by tension, I found myself fighting to fulfill my dream whilst simultaneously serving a number of causes that could help alleviate the negative aspects of our daily lives in Lebanon. Thus, through my journey, I’ve decided to send a message of hope and empowerment. For an age group that feels that its window to shine has passed, it’s of paramount importance to highlight the fact that much could still be accomplished. In a divided country, it’s key to demonstrate unity, regardless of background, religion, or political color,” Saad added.
Making a statement: Life begins at 50
According to 56-year-old Saad, it’s never too late to dream as “life begins at 50”. The middle-aged “non-athlete” further notes that by means of completing his first challenge to Everest Base Camp, he’d be championing a spirit of unity, making a statement, pushing the boundaries, and sending several messages such as “motivating people to get out of their comfort zone; encouraging middle-aged men and women to continue to strive and dream; inspiring others to be active, to connect with nature, and to challenge their limits; uniting under one flag, one Lebanon, and one Everest; and showing beyond doubt that a regular person can always achieve and reach higher goals.”
Streaming and sponsors
The trekking and outdoors enthusiast has teamed up on this journey with a group of seven trekking amateurs and Everest Summiteer, Avedis Kalpaklian, who organized the trip along with “Sports4Life”.
This event is sponsored by Spinneys – Lebanon, supported by Sports Experts-LB, fueled by Bjorg, organized by Sports4Life and Avedis Kalpaklian, and inspired by The Mountain Magazine Lebanon. The team’s nutrition supervision is conducted by NutriForm.