Featured Hobnailer: Kip Newton

Our “Featured Hobnailers” series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Kip Newton of Asheville, N.C. Kip tackled the Everest Base Camp Classic trek back in March of 2024.

Q: What is/was your occupation?

A: I am a retired engineer after a great career with Michelin Tire. I started as a test driver and the work brought me to New Zealand for tire testing over the years. Now 27 years later, I am back in NZ as I write for this interview!

Q: How and when did you get into adventure travel?

A: I have always enjoyed travel, and living in Japan on two occasions energized my interest in seeing the world. Work afforded many trips to Asia and Europe over my career, and I always took an opportunity to see the areas I visited after business was finished. Nothing guided, but just exploring on my own.

Q: Where was your first out-of-country adventure? How did it go?

A: My aunt and uncle took me to Mexico for a summer when I was 9 years old. We drove down and back from South Carolina in a Chrysler New Yorker, and I returned with an Iguana as a pet! I fondly recall the two months I lived there in a small town where I spent days playing with the local kids. That was the start of a lifelong interest in crossing borders.

Q: How did you discover Hobnail Trekking?

A: A friend mentioned a Hobnail EBC presentation at REI in Asheville. The rest is history…

Q: Which Hobnail trip did you do? What are some of your favorite memories from your trip?

A: I did the Everest Base Camp Classic trek in 2024. My favorite memories involve taking in the Himalayan scenery as we gently walked through the mountains. As a mountain lover, it had been my dream to see the Himalayas. It was also fun to first meet my trekking buddy, Lola, in Kathmandu before we started the trek. That has to be the most challenging way I’ve ever started a friendship!

Q: How did your expectations for the trip differ from reality?

A: The support from our guides was exceptional. They were great guys who helped us in ways I never imagined. If I so much as scuffed my heel on the trail, they would look back and check that I had not fallen. Encouragement along the way was excellent. For someone who normally travels alone, it was a great way to move through the mountains.

Q: Were you nervous or concerned about anything prior to the trip?

A: Only excited, although I did wonder about altitude sickness. Fortunately, we had no issues beyond learning how to Really breathe. It was about as hard as I expected and went as well as I could imagine!

Q: What other destinations are on your adventure-travel bucket list?

A: Further time in New Zealand (I am considering relocating), re-explore Europe in non-business trip mode, and more than the airport in India.

Hobnail’s Everest Base Camp Classic trek is a legendary journey through Nepal’s Khumbu region, leading to the foot of the world’s highest peak. Over 16 days, you’ll trek among towering Himalayan giants, cross swinging suspension bridges, and visit iconic Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. Along the way, acclimatization hikes provide stunning views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. You’ll stand at the climbers’ memorials at Thukla, explore ancient monasteries, and finally reach the storied base camp of Everest. The next morning, a pre-dawn hike to Kala Patthar (18,209 feet) offers the most breathtaking view of Everest’s summit. With comfortable teahouse lodging, expert local guides, and time built in for altitude adjustment, this guided trek is the perfect way to experience the majesty of the Himalayas. Ideal for those seeking a challenging but achievable high-altitude adventure, the Classic EBC trek is the culmination of physical preparation, mental focus, and lifelong dream-chasing.

See the trek page HERE.