Down sleeping bag, check. Thermal ski cap, check. Walking
stick, check. Camera, check. Guide and porters, check. We were ready for our
great trekking adventure in Nepal. Our family trip was going to be a venture of
a lifetime: we were going to trek up 12000 feet to Madri Himal high camp and
sleep in tents for five nights during the coldest time of the year. Little did
I know that after all the discussions we had about perseverance and grit in
home base the previous several weeks, it would take all the grit I could muster
up to make it to the peak.
Working out three times a week with my trainer set my
muscles up for the first day’s grueling four-hour uphill climb, but ascending 800
feet was difficult for my lungs. It was a tough beginning, but I have grit, although
the frost on my tent the next morning had me shaking both physically and
mentally. I was unaware that we hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle of the
altitude or cold. I was in for a shock.
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Setting out on the third day to low camp was to be an easy
day; only a three-hour climb of about 1000 feet and then a full afternoon to
rest up for the big day ahead when we would climb to high camp. After lunch at
low camp, the clouds came in and engulfed us. Yes, we were literally in the
clouds; we were that high up. The temperature dropped twenty degrees as the sun
disappeared, and it was too early to snuggle into our sleeping bags, so we
huddled around an illegal campfire. Crouching around the fire for several
hours, dodging the smoke, and battling the wind became so tiring that we ended
up eating an early dinner and going to bed in order to stay warm. Knowing we
were going to get up extremely early to get to High Camp the next day and not
wanting to deal with the exceedingly cold, we went to bed with as many layers
as we could.
We got up at 4:30 am so that we would reach High Camp before
the clouds and with the wakening of the sun. My hot water bottle was still
warm, so getting out of the sleeping bag, where even in the tent my breath
could be seen as I exhaled, took an act of tenacity I didn’t think I had in me.
Two layers on the bottom, three layers on top, plus a down jacket, neck warmer,
gloves, and a wool hat: I was out of the tent and looking for something to keep
me warm. A full moon surrounded by clouds in the sky made us wonder if we would
be making this climb only to have a view of nothing but clouds rather than some
of the most majestic mountains on earth. Was it possible that we had come all
this way and would miss the magic moment we had worked so hard to experience?
We knew we had to go for it and hope the clouds would clear.
After some warm soup, we took off with our headlamps lighting one step at a
time. It was thrilling and scary at the same time as we were not really sure of
our surroundings. At times the wind blew so fiercely that I thought I might be
blown off the narrow precipice. My eyes watered and my fingers were tingling,
but my mind was clear and it forced me onwards. Gradually, the sun started to
peek over the horizon that almost seemed to be below us. I felt that I was on
top of the world. It was a glorious sight.
We still had another
two hours of hiking before we would reach high camp and I was determined to
make it. Through the cold, shortness of breath, and tired aching body, I
finally reached the top where colorful prayer flags blew in the breeze. The
view was amazing as the clouds waited below in the valley letting us take in
two of the highest mountains in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas –
Annapurna South and Machapuchare (otherwise known as Fishtail). We had reached
an elevation of over 12,000 ft. With so many elements and obstacles to
overcome, the resolve and indomitable spirit inside of me took over allowing me
to make this incredible journey. It felt incredibly satisfying to reach the top.
After taking in the view, and a much-needed snack, we
finished taking a few photos, before heading back down. We were far from
finished for the day. We still had to
hike back down two hours to low camp, pack up our gear and trek another three
hours before making camp for the last night. However, the long trek down gave
me plenty of time to reflect upon all that I had experienced and accomplished
over the past five days. I learned to take one step at a time. I learned to
concentrate on the task right in front of me. I knew that if I stayed in the
moment, believed in my own determination, had a hope or a vision of a possible positive
outcome that I could do what I set out to do – and that it would be worth it.
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