About Sydney's Trek to Everest Base Camp
In October 2026, I will be embarking on a 14-day trek through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp sits at just about 17,600 feet and is considered the resting point for those who will go on to summit Mt. Everest (this usually takes place in the Spring). While it’s not everyone’s final stop, it is also a destination in itself and a journey that is equal parts mentally and physically challenging.
This trek is a way of combining my love for adventure and travel with my passion for mental health advocacy. My goal is to raise funds for Canvas Health, a nonprofit that provides accessible mental health care to those throughout Minnesota.
Many people want support for their mental health but cannot access it. Cost, long waitlists, lack of providers, transportation, and insurance can all be barriers that stand in the way. As a school-based therapist located in the Forest Lake High School, I see these barriers every day and I also see the relief people have when they finally feel they are getting the help they need.
That is why fundraising matters and why I am choosing Canvas Health. The funds raised through this journey will help provide mental health services to people who might otherwise go without by reducing financial barriers and helping to expand care.
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Why Everest Base Camp?
Trekking to Everest Base Camp has been on my bucket list for awhile now. So much so, that I even suggested it to my husband for our honeymoon (we finally settled on Iceland which was way more relaxing and romantic!). As I was starting to prepare for this trek it was hard to ignore how similar the process felt to mental health itself and what I often teach to my clients.
Preparing for this trek will require building endurance, facing challenges, consistency, patience, as well as celebrating milestones (no matter how big or small). These skills are often the foundations in my work as a mental health therapist. Both journeys teach resilience and are a reminder that progress is about the journey and not the final destination or the “highest peak.”
