Countdown to Kathmandu - Embarking on a Midlife Adventure: Hiking the Majestic Mountains of Nepal

 



So here’s the deal.  There are those that have midlife crises. And there are those that have midlife awakenings.  

And sadly, there are those that don't make it to midlife because either they physically trragically left this world too early, or they became old while they were still young.


Personally, I align myself with the latter perspective - understanding that life is fleeting, echoing Buddha"s insightful words: our misconception is believing we have endless time.


Milestone birthdays were celebrated this year.  Just to clarify, in my humble opinion, every single birthday is a milestone birthday. But this year kinda symbolised the magic of midlife years for me.  A sense of freedom and accomplishment, together with some sort of letting go. Freedom of the responsibility of establishing and raising a family and a career with which to provide for said family. Freedom from caring about other people's opinions, values and dramas.  Freedom to be self-ish in the healthiest possible way.  Still working on that last one….


The profound realization that life is short but ripe for adventures brings me to the headline of this post. 


This midlife warrior is preparing to embark on an exhilarating journey to the mountains of Nepal in the near future.  As long as these joints and muscles still have strength of spirit and strength of whatever else it is that holds our bodies and souls together - while them knees can still hold me and a backpack standing upright ... .and my quads can still do a perfect squat so I can use those weird and primitive bathrooms without falling in ( Heaven help me!) - I'm gonna give it my all.


So when the bug bit a while ago, the initial planning started. This included keeping a straight and semi sane face when reactions ranged from "You're going WHERE???" to "Are you insane, have you forgotten your AGE??" all the way to the "Oh my goodness you are AWESOME!"

Then came the itinerary planning , and the equipment, and the insurance ( search and rescue they all yelled - because you know there are EARTHQUAKES there!!!!)


Top of the list , to be asked with the "raised eyebrow look for silly people" - you DO have appropriate shoes right? they asked Oh - I can't go in my running shoes?  Apparently not.  There are hiking boots ladies. Hiking boots. Quite the most inelegant, clumsy and ugliest footwear your delicate toes have EVER been buried under. Trust me. BUT - comfortable - oh my lord.  I felt like I could WALK to Nepal in these babies .  Then of course comes the thermal layers. Snow they tell me. Wind chill in the mountains.  Sunny during the day…Maybe I should stay on my couch where it's cosy….. OK, hiking boots - check. Thermal layers - check. Convenient comfy hiking pants with a zillion pockets that I am going to lose EVERYTHING in - check. Backpack - that opens this way, and folds that way, warm hat to keep me from brain freeze and a hat to keep me from sunstroke.


There is now a corner on the floor in my workroom where I am gathering the goods. Added to the pile is the down jacket that squishes into the size of your pocket , thermal socks, and the most important item of ALL - anti runny poop medicine.  Lentils and rice my friends - go figure…lentils and rice....and put that all over a squat toilet.


I have to confess that the excitement of this impending midlife adventure is starting to bubble inside, and yes, I am proud of myself for seizing life's opportunities while I am strong and healthy, even though I am officially a senior!


I will keep you posted so watch this space for more updates on this epic adventure.

I would love to hear your thoughts, your personal experiences and advice and hints in the comments section


See you soon!




Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

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