Top British DJ Paul Oakenfold braved thinning air and freezing temperatures to host the "highest party on earth" at Everest base camp today, playing to around 100 climbers — all in full mountain gear.
The 53-year-old artist, who trekked for 10 days to reach base camp, mixed his beats on a makeshift stone stage set against the spectacular backdrop of the world's highest mountains. With brightly coloured Tibetan prayer flags fluttering overhead, climbers and trekkers danced as best they could in their heavy hiking boots and thick down jackets. "It was truly amazing. I feel very lucky to have played here.
We did a wonderful event and had people from all over the world. I feel very blessed," Oakenfold told AFP by phone from base camp after the performance. Base camp lies at an altitude of 5,380 metres (17,600 feet), and around 100 climbers and trekkers were there for the gig. "It was pretty cool. I've been here many years but never seen anything like that," 38-year-old American climber Ben Jones said.