Getting Back from Base Camp

A total page turner. I started on Saturday morning whilst trying to avoid some unappealing jobs, and finished it Sunday lunchtime. I may not have got the jobs done but that weekend I journeyed with David to one of the most unhospitable (and simultaneously hospitable) places on earth. I felt I had taken every step, gasped every breath, tinkered through souvenir shops, ate copious amounts of dahl and taken in lungfuls of burning yak dung. It was one of the most epic weekends from the comfort of my sofa.
This book isn't one person's diary of their walk to base camp. It's a multidimensional immersive experience of what it takes to get there and the discovery of a deeper truer sense of humankind and what we are capable of together.

We forget that the most testing part of an adventure is often the return. This is the time when exhaustion and post-adrenalin wash out take hold - alongside the complicated emotions that follow reaching your heart's desire. David's book is a fable, a deep exploration of the psychology of pushing yourself further than you thought you could, observations of what it means to be a goal seeker in a country where others live daily lives, and the importance of being able to breathe.

And it is a ripping adventure story, about the real adventure of ascending and descending Everest - and even though I knew the outcome was a safe return I was gripped throughout.

I have never wanted to climb Everest but I have long been fascinated by it and by the adventurers who do climb it. Particularly Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The climb and battle to breathe are a metaphor for many hard struggles. David's book is a splendid addition to the Everest pantheon - adding unique insights, depth, and beautiful writing.

Reading this book, I felt like I was with David on his journey to Everest base camp.
Each day was so well articulated and beautifully worded- felt quite human and relatable.
I particularly loved David's thoughts and feelings during his time away from home, the things that reminded him of his kids and his home/Wellington. I loved the pictures and found myself going back and looking at them to put a face to the name(s).
I've known David for about 30 years and I never doubted that he could do this trip successfully. I remember him telling me his plan sometime back and me thinking wow! What a goal!
I'm so proud of you, David! For your focus and dedication towards your 50th Bday goal and such a beautifully written book.

Highly recommend this book!

An adventure story with lessons for everyday life

I thoroughly enjoyed Getting Back from Base Camp. It’s an easy and genuinely enjoyable read, but what stayed with me was how David weaves the adventure of the trip together with the everyday “adventures” of life.

There’s something very relatable about setting out with a plan, doing all the preparation you can, and then having to manage your way through when the plan changes, circumstances take over, and your options suddenly seem pretty bleak. David’s story is obviously played out in a far more dramatic setting than most of my daily challenges, but the lessons translate remarkably well.

And through it all, he manages to maintain a sense of humour and curiosity about the people and world around him, along with the occasional spontaneous burst into song. It’s a lovely reminder that resilience isn’t necessarily about grimly pushing on but sometimes it’s about staying curious, finding the funny side, and keeping your spirits up when things aren’t going remotely to plan.

It’s a great yarn, told with warmth and plenty of personal reflections. I’m thankful David made it safely back from Base Camp so he could share the story with the rest of us, plus impressed he managed to find time to continue his adventures by writing a book.

What a great book.

Getting Home from Base Camp is one of those books that really pulls you in. David Chan tells his story with honesty, humour and plenty of emotion, and I found myself completely invested in his journey from beginning to end.

It’s not just a book about climbing or adventure — it’s about resilience, facing some incredibly difficult challenges and finding the strength to keep going when life throws everything at you. David’s battle with cancer adds another powerful dimension to the story, and knowing that he came through it makes the journey all the more remarkable.

I genuinely loved reading this and found it both inspiring and hugely enjoyable. It’s rare that a book can make you laugh, think and appreciate what really matters, but this one does.

Most importantly, I’m absolutely delighted that David beat cancer and got to tell his story. What an incredible journey.

A brilliant read and one I’d happily recommend. Five stars from me.

My trip to EBC? April 2017.

I really enjoyed David's book about his journey to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. What could easily have just been a travel narrative with details about facts and events is actually much more interesting. David weaves in narratives about his motivations and purposes including fundraising for the Himalayan Trust. He delivers fascinating stories about the people he meets and, as a reader, you get a real appreciation through his eye for the little details that really bring the story to life (such as the sort of food you need to eat to get through the day). I get the sense that having David as a travel companion would have been a great experience.

The book is really well written and edited: the short sentences and David's ability to linger on the essential parts of the story make this a compelling read. I think this book would appeal to anyone who's interested in travel, challenges, how to be a good traveller, or anyone who's interested in a New Zealander's quirky view of the world. There are more than a few really deep moments and the reader really wants to cheer David on and celebrate wtih him at the end. Don't miss the postsrcipt!