Indian dog becomes first to reach Everest Base Camp

“This dog came running for me and collapsed at my feet, a puppy on his last legs,” Lefson was quoted as saying by South Africa's Independent Online news portal.  “The puppy couldn't have been in a lower place.


The little fellow had heart, I could tell that, but he was so weak having no food or water for days, if not weeks,” Lefson said.  After eight-and-a-half days, facing snow delays, rainstorms, mudslides and a yak attack en route, Rupee and Lefson reached the Base Camp, before a galloping three-and-a-half-days back down.

The team summited Base Camp on October 26 and a pair of embroidered prayer flags were tied, “with the wish that the gods above will bestow a home on all the homeless dogs below”.  “The trek to the top of the world was done in Oscar's honour,” an emotional Lefson said.

“The most difficult part of the planning wasn't so much all Rupee's paperwork, although a nightmare at times too, but, rather, my greatest concern was wondering if he could actually make it to the top,” Lefson was quoted as saying.  “In fact preparing for the worst, I arranged for an extra porter just in case Rupee needed to hitch a ride,” Lefson said.

“A memorable part of the trek was seeing Rupee touch and walk on snow for the first time, playing, chasing and chewing it at every opportunity,” she said.