Vijaybhai’s Conquest of the Everest Base Camp
Vijaybhai Ambaliya is the grandson of Shamji Kanji Ambaliya. When we went to interview Vijaybhai’s cousin brother Chimanbhai, Vijaybhai was preparing for his upcoming adventure. But before we discuss his remarkable accomplishment, let us delve into his connection with Saurashtra Cement. Savarkundla, home to the renowned – Shamji Kanji & Sons, is where it all begins.
Rather than harboring envy for someone’s progress, those who draw inspiration from it achieve victory. We now delve into the glorious triumph of Vijay Ambaliya, whose name in English translates to ‘Victory’. Today, he shares his experience with us after achieving success in this extremely courageous endeavour.
The Start of a Dream
Vijaybhai runs a wholesale chemical business, and the spirit of adventure continuously courses through his veins. Venturing into the realm of chemicals was, in itself, an adventure for him.
It so happened that during his morning walks at the Poinsur Gymkhana grounds, Vijaybhai spotted a woman carrying weights on her back. Observing someone carrying weights during a morning walk would pique anyone’s curiosity. Vijaybhai, being an outspoken person, approached the woman without hesitation and inquired about her motivation for carrying the weights. She revealed that it was part of her training for an expedition to Everest Base Camp. After learning about her experience, Vijaybhai decided that he too would embark on a journey to Everest Base Camp.
Training and Preparations
Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, causing a delay in the realization of his dream. Nonetheless, this setback afforded him ample time to prepare his body and mind for the upcoming trek.
Those who know him well are aware of his capability to undertake such grand adventures. Notably, he refrains from consuming refined wheat flour, seldom indulges in outside food, and has been taking cold showers exclusively for the past eight years. He began training with the aim of conquering Everest Base Camp. As part of his training, he had to cover a distance of 25 km within a specific timeframe. Additionally, he engaged in two hours of exercise twice a week, practised running on four days of a week under guidance from a trainer, and even went trekking.
During his ascent and preparation for the Everest Base Camp journey, Vijaybhai found inspiration in the following lines from the legendary poem by poet Robert Frost:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Furthermore, the climber’s passion played a vital role, and Vijaybhai had been nurturing this passion for the past three years.
Standing Strong Together: Support from his Wife
His wife, Kokiben, diligently researched all the essentials for an Everest Base Camp hiker and created a checklist. A climber must carry around 100 items, including specialized boots, warm clothing, separate water bottles for cold and hot drinks, a head torch, a sleeping bag, energy tablets, and hiking poles. The couple devoted over a month and a half to carefully gather these necessary items.
The Beginning
After meticulous preparations, Vijaybhai joined a group of twenty-two members. Their journey encountered a challenging situation right from the start. Upon reaching Nepal’s Lukla, considered the world’s most dangerous airport, during night time from Kathmandu, they had to commence their ascent at three in the morning. The group had to cover a distance of approximately 100 km in nine days, requiring them to walk for seven to eight hours daily at an average of 11 km per day.
It’s important to highlight that the group was accompanied by a chief Sherpa who served as their guide. Additionally, three more Sherpas and two to four Yaks joined them, each carrying a 10 kg load on their backs.
The Experiential Journey
Now, let’s explore Vijaybhai’s experiences during the nine-day ascent, which can leave us both thrilled and concerned. According to Vijaybhai, the initial phase required spending two days in an area called Namche Bazar, situated at an altitude of 3,440 meters or 11,300 feet, to acclimatize to the snowy mountain environment. Everest Base Camp itself stands at a height of 5,364 meters or approximately 16,600 feet.
Vijaybhai described the climbing path as rugged terrain, with snow and rocks scattered everywhere. During the last four days, there were no trees in sight, only snow and rocks. In such circumstances, the only respite was the Tea House while their meals consisted mainly of dal-rice.
True Grit and Determination: The Success
Vijaybhai often felt his wife’s presence throughout the journey, as her support and encouragement echoed in his mind. When he finally reached Everest Base Camp, tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he called his wife from there. Vijaybhai’s son, Priyam, and daughter, Dhruvi, had consistently uplifted his spirits during the entire expedition.
We at, Saurashtra Cement Limited, extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Ambaliya family, for this remarkable achievement.