CREATION OF AN ADVENTURE PROJECT
Based in Sydney, Australia, we’re Trevor (Australian) and Emma (NZ/Australian), and we’re avid high altitude adventurers. When not at home, we’re often found on an expedition somewhere in the Himalaya. Expeditions that come with both altitude and attitude!
After many adventures exploring the world, the question was ‘what’s next’? Needing a new challenge and focus, we formed Project Base8000. The objective: trek to the base camps of all the world’s 14 highest mountains. These mountains, which are all over 8,000m (the “8000ers”), are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges.
In completing this challenge, and as far as we can ascertain, we’re the first non-mountaineers to trek to all of these base camps. Even the mountaineering challenge had only been achieved by a few with just over 50 by the time we finished our project in 2023, and more since then.
Wherever practical, our expeditions took us to the higher and less accessible climbers’ base camps (in addition to the trekkers’ base camps), adding a degree of complexity and challenge into the mix.
INSPIRATION
Inspiration for the project came from the mountaineering challenge to climb all the 8000ers, with Andrew Lock being the first (and only) Australian to complete the challenge, and few others beyond that. So we thought why not apply the concept to the trekking world and trek to the base camps of these mountains?
As we learned more and more about the 8000ers we were further inspired by other Australian mountaineers such as Zac Zaharias (first Australian ascents of Broad Peak and Dhaulagiri), Brigitte Muir (the first Australian woman to climb Mt Everest) and Christine Jensen Burke (the first NZ/Australian woman to climb K2).
TREKKING
Diverse Locations
The base camps of the 14 x 8000m mountains are accessed from Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet China.
While some base camps such as Everest Base Camp are frequently trekked to, others are in more remote areas.
For example at the time of writing, in Pakistan less than 5,000 people had trekked or climbed the five mountains over 8,000m. Compare this to the Everest region of Nepal, in which over the last 5 years alone had over 150,000 people trekking or climbing.
Life-Changing Adventures
We love expeditions amongst the big mountains. From the culture, scenery and sense of achievement, to meeting up with other like-minded adventurers along the way.
Trekking expeditions provide a powerful challenge both physically and mentally. There is nothing like being camped on the side of a mountain and miles from anywhere to bring you back to the basic essentials of life. You come back knowing more about yourself and with some different perspectives on life.
Trekking with Care
Project Base8000 is about exploring some of the highest, most incredible places on Earth — and doing it in a way that keeps the experience positive for everyone involved.
On the trail, that means keeping things simple, reducing waste where we can, and making smart, practical choices that help protect the environments we move through. It also means travelling with companies who employ local guides, and supporting the people and communities who make trekking in these regions possible.
At its heart, it’s about enjoying the adventure while being mindful of the places and people that make it so special — so the experience feels just as good for the mountains as it does for us.
SUPPORT
Naturally a project of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without the support and shared camaraderie of many others.
Strength and fitness training: Joe’s Basecamp, Summit Strength, Peak Altitude
8000er trek logistics and support: Expedition Base, Climbalaya, The Mountain Company, Project Himalaya, Jasmine Tours, Nepal Sanctuary Treks, World Expeditions and The Himalayan Database. This includes the amazing teams of Nepali, Tibetan, Balti and international guides, sirdars, cooks, kitchen staff and porters on our expeditions.
Supporting treks and training courses: Andrew Lock Adventures, Peak Learning Adventures, 360 Expeditions
Our families and friends - including all the trekkers and mountaineers around the world whose company we've enjoyed on expeditions - who have always encouraged us to keep going.
Charitable partnerships: Project Base8000 proudly supports the Australian Himalayan Foundation for health, education and the environment in Nepal, Bhutan and the Indian Himalaya. In Pakistan we support the Juniper Trust
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
If you want some ideas and inspiration for your next adventure, or just want to settle in for a trekking adventure from the comfort of your own home, then check us out on YouTube.