On the 19 February 2026, Joanne Seymour began a 140km, 14-day trek to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for The Little Optimist. Here, Joanne recounts her experience in this diary blog.

25 February 2026

Grateful to have reached Tengbosche, snowing here. ill be radio silent for few days as the higher I go, signal is non existent and if you buy a card its very expensive and no guarantee it will work due to weather conditions. One of the local guides taking a South Korean guy up had to leave him as he fainted twice and coughing up blood so had to go down so he asked if he could join us to Tengbosche until he waits for another guide. Shame altitude sickness is not a joke. I have a slight headache but manageable, very cold but still in high spirits. Breathing in oxygen on the uphills is a mission but taking step by step. PS. Happy Birthday sweet beautiful Dani, hope you had an amazing day Xxx

27 Febraury 2026

Acclimatising day and training high hike sleep low today. Tomorrow to Lobusche and then day after to Gorekshep to Everest Base Camp 16km. Getting more cold every day

2 March 2026

Won’t be doing this again in a hurry, altitude has taken its toll with so many days at this altitude. Need to get back home to sea level and much needed CT sun. Its out of season, thats why quieter but its unbelievably cold, never felt this cold before in my life! Unfortunately Ive decided together with my guide that Cho la pass is not a good idea, ill be walking on Blue ice for 5hrs and you cant sit down and there is a chance of crevasses and not taking that chance having children, and the Gyoko lakes will be frozen anyway. My EBC expedition has been 4 years in the making and Mom use to talk about it often with me (sadly she never got to witness it) so I dedicate this to Her and raising funds for the LOT was an added bonus and happy to report that together with various company donations and my Backabuddy page Ive raised more than expected and which will make a huge impact for our pilot site in HB so to everyone who donated (you know who you are) A huge Thank you. Now soon home bound although I might have to find another way home due to Dubai and Qatar airports closed due to the war 🙈🙈 🙏❤️

3 March 2026

Thank you to everyone who has supported via their emojis and their DM of support and encouragement, it was very uplifting for me especially on my hardest days where I felt I couldn’t go on. Very much appreciated and cant thank you enough. Things very uncertain with airports closed due to unrest so next challenge is finding alternative route home. Ill be leaving group soon, just needing much needed rest, as so exhausted. See you hopefully when I get home X