Most of the time it was relentless. Walking, walking, up up up. I just kept on telling myself 'one step at a time'.
The second day was hot. It was over 47 degrees c and we walked to over 970 metres. It was a long, long day.
I don't seem to be able to find the words to describe the journey. I can't really do it justice. At times it was quite emotional, at times it was just fabulous.
It was quite a big group, over 40 people. Most of the people were absolutely lovely. We had a group of Scottish ladies who were such fun and loved to sing and they were great to have around.
I hooked up with Stacey and Sophie most of the time and I think I will have 2 friends for life with them. They got me though some difficult moments, especially when I allowed myself to think about why I was doing the trek.
There was another person on the trek who was raising money for Huntington's Disease. I didn't know he was going to be there, it was a complete surprise! His name is Rick. Rick and I walked and talked one day for hours. He's never talked to anyone else with HD in their family before, only to professionals. His Mum has HD and he is at risk. He is an absolutely lovely, lovely guy and I'm so pleased he was with us. Meeting him was one of the highlights of the trip.
My body held out well and my training held me in good stead. Although one evening my legs and hips were killing me. It really worried me but Laura (a physiotherapist who was on the trek raising money) did her magic on my legs and hips after dinner. What she did was amazing, I had no problems after that at all, thank god!
Some people had trouble with vertigo on the wall. The height and narrowness of some of the paths made them freeze with fear. I was fine, but I can understand why they felt that way. There were times when I was a bit unsure myself. You just had to keep looking at your feet all the time.
Three times someone fell completely off the path. But there are so many trees that you wouldn't actually be able to fall too far, but you certainly could do yourself some serious damage.
The whole journey, from the start of the fundraising to the end of the trek, has been such an amazing experience for me and I have been overwhelmed by everyone's support.
Please look at my photos
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=113101&id=564591799&l=0e58d9f8db
30 comments:
Hi,
Congratulations on your trek!
I'm hoping to do the Great Wall of China trek next year for the British Heart Foundation so I thought I'd have a read of your blog for a few ideas. Mine is http://www.charitychinesewhispers.blogspot.com/ - I'm just about to book my place!
Well done for all your hard work
Heather
Thanks Heather. Good luck with the trek.! When are you going?
Just booked for May 2010 - soo nervous!!!
There's absolutely NOTHING to be nervous about Heather. Make sure you do some training (build up until you can do some good long walks)and you will be fine. It's all good and it's absolutely do-able. We had a 72 year old on our trek! Take poles with you though, you need them. Add me on facebook, we can talk there....
Hey, looks like I did the same as Heather. I'm doing it in September for Marie Curie and I'm somewhere between really excited and really nervous!
Congratulations on making it through and good luck to Heather.
Good luck Kirsti, hook up with Heather if you can on email or facebook, it helps to have the support. I've just signed up for Kilimanjaro. Now I AM nervous about that - the altitude mostly.
Best of luck to you both.
Love Deborah x
Thanks Deborah, I'll have a look for Heather. Kilimanjaro sounds amazing but not sure I could handle that at the moment!
Good luck x
I'm off to do a China trek for CLIC Sargent in April this year, it's approaching fast and so far I've been too caught up in training and fundraising to be excited - but your pics have changed all that! Congrats and thanks
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Trekking in Nepal -The word came into existence when the term was first used by British mountaineers to insinuate one walking at one’s own pace at a relaxed trot through well-established village trails enjoying close contact with people in remote mountain villages where lifestyles remain unchanged since time immemorial.
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Trekking is popular tourist activity in Nepal and every year thousands of foreigners come here for adventure trekking. Very few counties in the world can offer as many varieties of adventure tourism packages as Nepal. Out of the 14 peaks over 8000 meters in the world, eight are in Nepal. It is the land of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest 8848m) and other 1310 mountain peaks, which are opened for climbing and expedition. These mountains apply shorter to longer and softer to demanding harder treks up to the base camp, high magnificent view passes all over Nepal with exotic wild life and mystical memorizing cultural heritage. For many travelers, Nepal is paradise on the earth or at the very least Shangri La Wedged between wall of the Himalaya and the best way to experience culture and nature up-close ever.
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Adventure Great Himalaya is a government registered and most recommended Trekking agency, based in Kathmandu, Nepal. we are registered under the Office of the Company Registrars and Certified by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and affiliated with a number of trekking associations namely Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN),Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Nepal Mountaineering Association ( NMA) Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) among others. With the aid of our trekking business we support less privileged people in Nepal through the AGH Social Foundation, helping local communities developed in a sustainable way.
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Annapurna Circuit Trek is the most popular trek in Nepal, it offers fairly easy days of walking through ever more exotic scenery. Annapurna region is home to ten different cultural groups in a wide range of agricultural and climatic regions. Its people have embraced tourism and its Tea Houses cater for the “western palate” over and above the tasty local fare. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to trek, though Mountain Mart Trek-adventure team make it happen four seasons comfortably.
Langtang valley trek allocates in the hidden “Tibetan Valley” in the Langtang region offers one of Nepal’s most popular trekking areas just 145 km (7-8 hours by bus) from Kathmandu. It is easily accessible and offers an authentic cultural experience, spectacular natural beauty, crystal clear mountain scenery, soaring glaciers, waterfalls and a wide diversity of flora and fauna. It is an idyllic trekking area for ‘beginners’ and families – with friendly Tea Houses in every village to accommodate you. www.mountainmarttreks.com
Kanchenjunga base camp trek is one of the challenging nature adventure in Nepal. Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) is a massive and independent mountain of rock and ice, which sits astride the Nepalese-Sikkim/Indian border. It rises on a N/S axis, roughly at right angles to the main Himalayan chain – and linked to it by ridges. Secondary ridges lie in east/west direction which together creates the four glaciers that flow from its five summits. For 15km, the southern border-ridge is nowhere less than 7500m in height. Only Everest and K2 are higher.
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Manaslu Trekis remote and once past the foothill villages, enters a valley system that has seen little change over time. Wilderness trekking in Manaslu region is mainly inhabited by Gurungs, a Tibeto-Burman people who practice Buddhism
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Upper Dolpo is hidden behind high passes also known as Inner Dolpo usually among adventure trekkers. The north of Dolpo district Inner Dolpo (Upper Dolpo) is land of mysticism legendary and Bon religion.
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Everest Base Camp trek has been popular among adventurers since Mount Everest was first surveyed in 19th century. Everest Base Camp trek difficulty is slightly strenuous and requires a fair level of fitness before you begin. Most of the trail lies at the altitude over 3 000m, though Mountain mart Trek adventure team has designed itinerary scientifically that avoids the possibility of AMS during entire trek
Mount Everest trek begins from Lukla, after 35 minutes scenic Mountain flight from ancient city Kathmandu. Our Everest base camp trek commences through the Sherpa villages and farmlands gradually rises to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) where couples of nights spend for acclimatization to be familiar with altitude. One of our rest day, we visit the large Sherpa village at Khumjung and experience their lifestyle, beliefs, skills and warmth. The Prayer flags, Chortens, Mani walls and Monasteries justify to the importance of Tibetan Buddhism in their lives throughout the wilderness.
Everest Base Camp trekking route continues with several ups and downs to higher altitude, exploring the alpine vegetation where the night-time temperature drops down to zero. Eventually, the one way trekking destination ends at the base camp of Everest or climbing the view point Kalapathar. Staying in the lodges and capturing the world's highest towering peaks, we retrace to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu.
Everest Base Camp hike is popularly known as EBC trekking, possible almost year around, but spiting and autumn are the best trekking season. During these two seasons, view of Himalayas is spectacular including Mount Everest and other several peaks are possible and weather is absolutely perfect to trek.
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Annapurna Trekking in Nepal
Makalu Trekking
Peak Climbing in Nepal
Well done ! You are so brave and adventurous! These are great pictures of the Great Wall! Which reminds me... I should go through my India pictures and post some. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it! In return, I also found a great blog of Jinshanling travel tips, I'd love to share it here with you and for future travelers. http://www.wildgreatwall.com/how-difficult-is-it-to-do-great-wall-one-day-hike-from-jinshanling-to-simatai-west/
Very beautiful pictures...
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks for this brilliant post and all the lovely pics--Your pictures are amazing. Just looking at those pictures make me want to climb the Great Wall of China now. I also found a great blog of Jinshanling travel tips, I’d love to share it here with you and for future travelers.
http://www.wildgreatwall.com/how-difficult-is-it-to-do-great-wall-one-day-hike-from-jinshanling-to-simatai-west/
Thank you so much for sharing this article, Your article is so detailed and amazing. your article really expresses the true expressions of that great wall trip. Travelling is something I can't resist I have traveled many countries and tried many things like Snorkeling, Jungle Run, Quade bike in Dubai and much other stuff but now after reading your article, I want to try the Great Wall China. Keep posting the great stuff.
After reading your article I am very impressed the information that you have posted is very useful and unique on 10 Jan I am going to Dubai City Tour with my 3 friends Ill invite you to come with us
Oh its a great topic my home tutor in karachi friend told me about your wonderful blog.
What a Great article post, Thank you for sharing
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