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#GloatingTime #AnnapurnaCircuit #IgnoranceHelps #PersonalHigh #Nepal #hiking
Thrilled to say that my wife, son and I successfully completed the #AnnapurnaCircuit in Nepal - getting through the famed and highly risky “Thorong La Pass” - the highest hike able pass in the world.
Expert hikers have told us now that this is amongst the toughest they have done but for us it was our first ever real hike - so while it was our toughest, it was also our easiest 📷
What made us do it? How did we pull it off?
To be honest we have no idea why we signed up for this. Among my best friends, two of the fittest started a WhatsApp group about six-months ago and one member who eventually never signed up invited us to join the group - and we unwittingly did. From there began a journey that was both fascinating and a crash course in “how to get your PhD with no schooling”. Our two friends initially told us “Don’t Die” and put the fear of god into us that we weren’t in the right shape - but also guided us with the right training & diet regimen to get into the right conditioning for this hike. They went on baby hikes with us and gradually helped build up our endurance. They guided us - and in particular my wife took charge - of all the equipment research and wardrobe required. We have never lived in cold countries or gone skiing - so don’t even understand gloves or anything related to the cold. And oh yes, in addition to the -20deg C cold, we were going to have to do a crazy physical workout at 18K feet - 5416m altitude - meaning ~50% Oxygen supply vs sea level!
Everyone who understood what we were attempting simply asked us the question, “Why? What are you trying to prove, and to whom?” Except my (soon to be 90) mom who said, “Of course you should do this - be positive and you will succeed”!
On March 26th, we boarded the plane to Kathmandu - and in the past 10 days we completed the hike despite crazy snow, dealing with altitude and several of the uncertainties nature and mountains can throw at you. It was 7 days of continuous hiking, altitude acclamatization, and dealing with snow storms and the rain and crazy cold 📷
What worked for us?
- 3 months of consistency in training that gave us the confidence in our cardio and respiratory systems, and muscular strength
- Friends who helped us with amazing preparation and planning
- The incredible sherpas of Nepal who helped us and hand held us every step of the way
- My team who helped and encouraged and adapted to my schedule over the past few months
If you’ve reached this point - a big thank you.
If we could do it, so can you. And whether you care to or not, get in shape so you “could” do it. Set smaller and shorter goals - but get started now, you won’t regret that!
Thrilled to say that my wife, son and I successfully completed the #AnnapurnaCircuit in Nepal - getting through the famed and highly risky “Thorong La Pass” - the highest hike able pass in the world.
Expert hikers have told us now that this is amongst the toughest they have done but for us it was our first ever real hike - so while it was our toughest, it was also our easiest 📷
What made us do it? How did we pull it off?
To be honest we have no idea why we signed up for this. Among my best friends, two of the fittest started a WhatsApp group about six-months ago and one member who eventually never signed up invited us to join the group - and we unwittingly did. From there began a journey that was both fascinating and a crash course in “how to get your PhD with no schooling”. Our two friends initially told us “Don’t Die” and put the fear of god into us that we weren’t in the right shape - but also guided us with the right training & diet regimen to get into the right conditioning for this hike. They went on baby hikes with us and gradually helped build up our endurance. They guided us - and in particular my wife took charge - of all the equipment research and wardrobe required. We have never lived in cold countries or gone skiing - so don’t even understand gloves or anything related to the cold. And oh yes, in addition to the -20deg C cold, we were going to have to do a crazy physical workout at 18K feet - 5416m altitude - meaning ~50% Oxygen supply vs sea level!
Everyone who understood what we were attempting simply asked us the question, “Why? What are you trying to prove, and to whom?” Except my (soon to be 90) mom who said, “Of course you should do this - be positive and you will succeed”!
On March 26th, we boarded the plane to Kathmandu - and in the past 10 days we completed the hike despite crazy snow, dealing with altitude and several of the uncertainties nature and mountains can throw at you. It was 7 days of continuous hiking, altitude acclamatization, and dealing with snow storms and the rain and crazy cold 📷
What worked for us?
- 3 months of consistency in training that gave us the confidence in our cardio and respiratory systems, and muscular strength
- Friends who helped us with amazing preparation and planning
- The incredible sherpas of Nepal who helped us and hand held us every step of the way
- My team who helped and encouraged and adapted to my schedule over the past few months
If you’ve reached this point - a big thank you.
If we could do it, so can you. And whether you care to or not, get in shape so you “could” do it. Set smaller and shorter goals - but get started now, you won’t regret that!
