My thoughts that had been written in 2013 when ascending on the Himalayas.
Langtang National Park
I have realized; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most. – Anonymous
I still can’t believe that I’m at 3830 m altitude on Himalaya. I remember the days in school when I’ve been studying about the highest mountains in the world. I made a promise back then that one day I’ll do it, I’ll conquer some of them. On September 6, 2013, my dreams started to shape.
I’m in 8 days trekking tour on Himalaya (that means House of Snow in Sanskrit), in Langtang National Park. We are hosted in a guesthouse in Kyanjin Gumpa and in the morning we had ascended to Kyanjin Ri to above 4500 m altitude. The feeling that I experienced being there on the top can’t be described in words, you just have to do it. The way to the top was filled with emotions and, being honest, fear.
Looking behind and see the rocks rolling down gave me shivers. From time to time, the wind would blow so strong that gave me the feeling I will be taken off the ground. Slowly but steadily we reached the top from where the view is breathtaking.
The sharp peaks around, with an elevation of more than 7000 m altitude, are covered in snow. The clouds would hide them in a dense haze of fog but soon the sun will take over and spread them around giving me the chance to see the shiny peaks.
We stayed above 4500 m for about an hour and from time to time I had headaches for the low oxygen and the low pressure. When we returned back to our guesthouse, the hosts prepared us garlic soup. They told us that is good for headaches caused by low pressure.
Locals’ life
The place where we had slept over the night is situated at almost 3900 m altitude. It’s a small village in the valley with lots of guesthouses and tea houses.
My words are too poor to describe the locals, of Tibetan origins, who are so welcoming, warmhearted, kind, polite and so “human”. Our hosts have 5 children that are all studying in Kathmandu. They say education it’s very important.
The parents have the chance to see their children twice a year when there are holidays. Kids are usually returning home to celebrate together with the family. To return to their home they have to climb for at least 2 days.
Life conditions on THE Himalayas
For instance, they had to replace their stove as the old one was 20 years old and couldn’t heat the room anymore. From 1400 m altitude, the host had to carry the iron stove on his back, tied with a rope by his forehead. 45 kilos! 45 kilos was the weight of the stove.
These past days I climbed with my backpack that is 7-8 kilos and I always wanted to just get rid of it. My shoulders would always remind me I should take a break. I can’t imagine how is to be loaded with almost your own weight and have to climb the mountain.
In our way up we met locals transporting diverse things on their backs: from the fridge (yes, fridge!) to water boxes, cans of food, and toilet paper. The locals are drinking boiled water and lots of tea but the tourists prefer bottled water. It’s rentable for the locals, the ones that own a guesthouse or a tea house because it’s their way of making a living.
I saw men transporting 48l of water, 5 boxes, up the mountain that it’s not any mountain, it’s Himalaya. Many of the locals are transporting goods helped by donkeys but to save time, they would transport items also. It’s common to see groups of 4-5 men and 3-4 donkeys going up the mountain loaded with goods.
My thoughts
Tomorrow morning we are starting to descend. We have 2 days to reach 1400 m altitude and from there we’ll take the bus back to Kathmandu.
How do I feel?
Proud, happy, mesmerized by nature and the warmth of the people. I learned so much about my own limitations, both physical and mental, and I realized that I’m so spoiled by life. And despite all what I have, I still end up complaining and criticizing and be grumbling about things that are not coming out the way I want them.
I learned to appreciate more my life, all the gifts and comfort I have for which I should be grateful for.
My passport grant me with so many rights and what did I do to deserve it? Well, nothing! I was fortunate enough to be born in a certain part of the world.
What’s your story about going out of your comfort zone? How did it make you feel? I’m curious to find out, share it!