Above: My return plan, symbolizing recalibration and finding direction after feeling lost in the search for my brother.

One of the most frustrating moments on the Everest trek wasn’t the cold or the altitude—it was losing my brother. He’d gone ahead of the group, convinced he didn’t need anyone, determined to forge his own path.

Then, he was gone. Of course, phones didn’t work on the mountain. The cold drained the batteries, the solar packs failed, and there was no means of communication. We had no idea where he went, and I was losing my mind.

The Real Colors of Adversity

In moments like these, people show their true colors. My brother, always the lone wolf, thought he could handle it on his own.

It drove me crazy. We had to split up the group, search among wandering yaks, and hope he hadn’t gone too far. The fear of losing him, combined with the frustration of having no way to communicate, made it one of the most stressful experiences of the trek.

He loves the thrill, the challenge, but that defiance—going ahead, thinking he could beat the Sherpas—was a risk I didn’t want to take.

Recalibration: Finding My Way

After what felt like an eternity, we found him. He hadn’t gone far, but those moments of uncertainty, frustration, and fear were enough to make me realize that getting lost wasn’t just about losing direction on the trail. It was about losing control and facing the fact that sometimes, even the strongest of us can make dangerous mistakes.

There’s something humbling about realizing that even the most defiant people, like my brother, need the group. We need each other out there. No lone wolf is stronger than the team when survival is at stake.

Above: “Everest Muslim Crew: Exhausted, Defiant, and Tired of the Climb. My brother sitting with us like it’s Gangsta Party on the mountain. No singing, just the sound of survival! 😅 #AintNothinButAGangstaParty #LetGoBoss”

Conclusion: Leading Through Chaos

The frustration of having no communication, dead batteries, and no way to reach each other only intensified the experience. It wasn’t just about finding my brother—it was about realizing the importance of sticking together.

Some people forge their own paths, and you can’t always stop them, but leadership means understanding when to let go and when to hold on. Let Go Boss became the mantra that kept me from losing my focus, even when everything felt like it was falling apart.