Cross River executives mark wedding with last-minute trip to Everest Base Camp

Kathmandu – In a rare convergence of adventure, leadership symbolism, and precision timing, a group of senior international banking executives flew to Everest Base Camp just hours before a Kathmandu wedding ceremony of one of them. Turning a personal milestone into an unexpected showcase of Nepal’s global appeal.

On the morning of February 10, Pravesh Rijal, Chief Data & AI Officer at Cross River Bank, chose to spend his final hours as a bachelor not at a traditional gathering, but at the foot of the world’s highest mountain. Accompanying him were Cross River Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gilles Gade, Chief Financial Officer Karan Mehta, and Chief Information Officer Michael Raff, all visiting Nepal for the wedding celebrations.

The group departed Kathmandu by helicopter, routing through Lukla – widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding airstrips in the world – before continuing toward Everest Base Camp. The timeline left little margin for error: Rijal’s wedding ceremony was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. that same evening in the capital. Himalayan aviation carries inherent weather and altitude risks, and delays are not uncommon. Yet the team completed the round trip and returned to Kathmandu in time for the ceremony.

For observers, the excursion reflected more than spontaneity. It illustrated a leadership culture increasingly defined by shared experience, calculated risk-taking, and trust built outside formal boardrooms. Gade personally joined Rijal on the final leg to base camp, a gesture that underscored executive camaraderie and presence. In high-intensity environments – whether financial markets or high-altitude terrain – disciplined preparation and confidence in execution are paramount. The symbolism was difficult to miss.

The episode also cast an unscripted spotlight on Nepal’s tourism proposition. Few countries offer the ability to depart from a capital city in the morning, stand beneath Mount Everest by midday, and return for an evening celebration. The presence of visiting global banking leaders at Everest Base Camp, even briefly, highlighted the country’s enduring appeal among international business travelers and affluent adventure seekers alike.

The journey demonstrated meticulous planning and comfort with uncertainty – traits equally valued in modern finance and mountaineering logistics. By midday, the helicopter had touched down in Kathmandu, the executives had traded expedition gear for Nepali Daura Suruwal attire, and the wedding ceremony began as scheduled.

For Nepal, it was a quiet moment of soft-power visibility. For the executives, it was a shared ascent before a celebration. For Rijal, it marked the beginning of married life – from the roof of the world to the wedding mandap in a single day.