A couple days into our trek I begin to wonder, even questioned, why it was that I signed up to for such a campaign in the first place. And sure, trekking the Himalaya is quite an adventure in it's own respects and I don't mean to take anything any from that. But the question of 'why' was dawning, and was persisting.
A couple of things stood out to me as we finished our first day of climbing (which was about 1000m, on the first day). One of which, amongst many other and probably the biggest revelation, was that I was in NO shape to do a 10 day trek, or any hiking at all to be honest; not in a bit at all prepared to walk on an inclined path, which seemed to be NEVER-ending.
When I reflect on the experience now the journey seems very silly; to hike up hill then downhill just to go up hill again, then back down 4 days later. And all of this physical agony just to reach a base camp of 8th highest peak in the Himalaya. All of the sweating, leg cramps and heavy breathing caused by the thin mountain air; the peaks you saw a couple of days ago from the far off distance still seem as far as the first time you laid your eyes on them. Waking up bright and early; walking through the beating heat of the sun, through the cold rain and hail. Through muddy, rocky, snow covered terrains. Sleeping thru cold nights and walking some cold mornings. All of these just to reach the base camp of the snow covered mountains you've been staring at for 4 days, only to spend a couple of hours taking pictures, drinking tea just to keep warm and taking in as much of natures beauty as you could because you swear to not spend another night sleeping uncomfortably in the cold.
With all that said, I would now like to share with you the answer to the previously asked question of 'why'. Like with every story, with each beginning the sense of excitement to be starting a new adventure, and the ends seemingly glorious conclusion, the middle is where I found my resolution. It was during the middle of our journey where I found why it was that I, and probably many before and many after, have chosen to put themselves through such great heights. And I only say 'such great heights' not only because we reach the highest point I've ever climb to, but because it felt like a significant point in my current story, the story I'm living. Many have traveled in journey to a sight of absolute beauty, to which is only revealed to those who are willing.
So, I present to you, my resolution (from 4130m):
It was at the base of the Annapurna where I found my resolution. The beauty of my surroundings, seemingly embracing me like an old friend, like it seemed that the mountains knew I was coming. Even with the weather the previous day horrible, when it was our turn to see her, the skies put on it's gorgeous deep blue dress (more blue than I've ever seen it) which only seemed to bring a much bigger climax to the mountains white veil.
Then..
after some exerted effort on trying to capture natures beauty, we just sat down and hung out. We hung out with some travelers we met the evening before, and some others we met during our trek up. And what better way to celebrate reaching the base camp of the Annapurna, you might ask? Well....
Then..
we hiked back down..
possibly the last for this blog. Feeling a bit of melancholy.
hope you fella's and ladies have enjoyed and thoroughly been entertained.
its been fun writing.
now, we wait in Dublin for our flight home.
see you all soon.
peace.
-f
A couple of things stood out to me as we finished our first day of climbing (which was about 1000m, on the first day). One of which, amongst many other and probably the biggest revelation, was that I was in NO shape to do a 10 day trek, or any hiking at all to be honest; not in a bit at all prepared to walk on an inclined path, which seemed to be NEVER-ending.
When I reflect on the experience now the journey seems very silly; to hike up hill then downhill just to go up hill again, then back down 4 days later. And all of this physical agony just to reach a base camp of 8th highest peak in the Himalaya. All of the sweating, leg cramps and heavy breathing caused by the thin mountain air; the peaks you saw a couple of days ago from the far off distance still seem as far as the first time you laid your eyes on them. Waking up bright and early; walking through the beating heat of the sun, through the cold rain and hail. Through muddy, rocky, snow covered terrains. Sleeping thru cold nights and walking some cold mornings. All of these just to reach the base camp of the snow covered mountains you've been staring at for 4 days, only to spend a couple of hours taking pictures, drinking tea just to keep warm and taking in as much of natures beauty as you could because you swear to not spend another night sleeping uncomfortably in the cold.
With all that said, I would now like to share with you the answer to the previously asked question of 'why'. Like with every story, with each beginning the sense of excitement to be starting a new adventure, and the ends seemingly glorious conclusion, the middle is where I found my resolution. It was during the middle of our journey where I found why it was that I, and probably many before and many after, have chosen to put themselves through such great heights. And I only say 'such great heights' not only because we reach the highest point I've ever climb to, but because it felt like a significant point in my current story, the story I'm living. Many have traveled in journey to a sight of absolute beauty, to which is only revealed to those who are willing.
So, I present to you, my resolution (from 4130m):
It was at the base of the Annapurna where I found my resolution. The beauty of my surroundings, seemingly embracing me like an old friend, like it seemed that the mountains knew I was coming. Even with the weather the previous day horrible, when it was our turn to see her, the skies put on it's gorgeous deep blue dress (more blue than I've ever seen it) which only seemed to bring a much bigger climax to the mountains white veil.
Then..
after some exerted effort on trying to capture natures beauty, we just sat down and hung out. We hung out with some travelers we met the evening before, and some others we met during our trek up. And what better way to celebrate reaching the base camp of the Annapurna, you might ask? Well....
Then..
we hiked back down..
possibly the last for this blog. Feeling a bit of melancholy.
hope you fella's and ladies have enjoyed and thoroughly been entertained.
its been fun writing.
now, we wait in Dublin for our flight home.
see you all soon.
peace.
-f
