All last week, my volunteer coordinator, Christina, had been asking around to see if anyone wanted to join her for a hike up Shivapuri - the second highest hill surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. I tend to be down for whatever - possibly to a fault, on occasion - and responded with an enthusiastic 'yes!'
Ah, those were such happy, blessedly ignorant times...
I'll spare you a florid narrative of how hard this hike was by just saying that it was DAMN HARD. The change in altitude was especially punishing. I kept going through the Rolodex of places I'd spent an extended period of time in my life and realizing they were all terribly, terribly flat and close to sea level. Damn you, Southeastern Michigan! Damn you, New York City! Our hike leader, Hari, even went so far as to tell me that I needed to keep walking because the area we were in was infested with tigers. That's how bad I was at this hike. I tried hard to focus on the beauty all around me, but all I could think about was how much I needed to breathe through my nose and keep inching forward.
I had to keep reminding myself that today, as far as ascending tall peaks go, I am a baby. Next week I'll be a little better at it, but why would I be any good at it my first time out? I subdued my perfectionistic tendencies somewhat for the rest of the climb, and made it to the top with the rest of my group.
It was physical strain of the hike felt refreshing in a way that I like, whereas dealing with the (relatively minor) change in altitude was beyond humbling. The greatest feeling will be to climb again and feel how much my body has adapted to its new environment. Yesterday I was an altitude baby, but there is always Day One of everything. I find that these first days get harder and harder as I get older, and I'm trying to embrace them as the opportunities for learning that they are. I so look forward to all of the physical and personal growth that I have yet to experience in Nepal.
The rewards of all the effort? Simply breathtaking.
Ah, those were such happy, blessedly ignorant times...
 |
| Look at those smiles...they don't even know what's coming. L to R: me, Kaela, Tam, Hari |
I'll spare you a florid narrative of how hard this hike was by just saying that it was DAMN HARD. The change in altitude was especially punishing. I kept going through the Rolodex of places I'd spent an extended period of time in my life and realizing they were all terribly, terribly flat and close to sea level. Damn you, Southeastern Michigan! Damn you, New York City! Our hike leader, Hari, even went so far as to tell me that I needed to keep walking because the area we were in was infested with tigers. That's how bad I was at this hike. I tried hard to focus on the beauty all around me, but all I could think about was how much I needed to breathe through my nose and keep inching forward.
 |
| At a Shiva temple near the top, known for its Tiger's head shaped water tap |
I had to keep reminding myself that today, as far as ascending tall peaks go, I am a baby. Next week I'll be a little better at it, but why would I be any good at it my first time out? I subdued my perfectionistic tendencies somewhat for the rest of the climb, and made it to the top with the rest of my group.
 |
| Gayle and Tam climbing to a lookout |
It was physical strain of the hike felt refreshing in a way that I like, whereas dealing with the (relatively minor) change in altitude was beyond humbling. The greatest feeling will be to climb again and feel how much my body has adapted to its new environment. Yesterday I was an altitude baby, but there is always Day One of everything. I find that these first days get harder and harder as I get older, and I'm trying to embrace them as the opportunities for learning that they are. I so look forward to all of the physical and personal growth that I have yet to experience in Nepal.
The rewards of all the effort? Simply breathtaking.
Go you! That looks so beautiful and also incredibly difficult.
ReplyDeleteAlso, "Our hike leader, Hari, even went so far as to tell me that I needed to keep walking because the area we were in was infested with tigers."
Was that for real or just a sly motivational trick?!
Sly motivational trick, I'm sure. There were monkeys, though!!!
ReplyDelete