4am in a full moon night and we are already hitting the trail up to Thorong La, a pass located high at 5,416m between the Annapurna mountains.

‘La’ means the pass or more appropriately the deity or keeper of the pass who may or may not let the trekker cross over.

6am and the silver circles of the Annapurna mountains are starting to turn pink, then fresh white as the Himalayan sun is raising.

We have already gained more than 1,000m, and after a few false hopes, we are finally reaching our final destination.

There at 5,416m, the wind is freezing. All but encircled by great pinnacles of ice, we are sometimes struggling to breathe some fresh air.

The prayer flags snap in the crisp wind, sending ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ to all directions.

Astonishingly, there is a tea shop – probably the highest in the world – and it is a nice surprise to warm us.

High above the Himalayan clouds, we have made it to our ‘Everest’ at 5,416m (17,769 ft). The Thorong keeper has let us cross over that day…