Finally. After many months of training, D(eparture)-day has arrived!! In about 4 hrs, I head off to the airport for my long-awaited adventure to Nepal – hiking the Annapurna Base Camp circuit in the Himalayas! (I’m going with Women Who Explore – the same company I pooped in a bag with in Paria Canyon – full deets of my trip are here https://www.womenwhoexplore.com/nepalabctrek ) I’ll be flying into Kathmandu (by way of Istanbul) and then taking a short internal flight to Pokhara and bus ride to Ghandruk, where we will finally hit the trail. Over the course of a week, we will steadily ascend up the Annapurna mountain range, starting out around 7,500ft and topping out around 14,500ft at the Annapurna Base Camp. Its rigorous – especially at the higher altitudes where the oxygen levels are 30–50% lower than at sea level – but my trainer Andy has been getting me into tip-top shape, so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to cope with the physical demands of the trek. I’ve got my Diamox to hand to ward off altitude sickness and I’m fully geared up with all the various layers you could need. The weather actually looks pretty nice right now (it’s Springtime in Nepal) – but you still need to be ready for anything, I think, especially higher up where the weather can turn on a dime.
So, I thought I’d share with you how I’ve prepared for this trip with a little tour of what’s going to be in my duffel bag – what I’m taking with me en route to ABC. Pardon the shocking production value of this video – clearly I don’t do many of these, but thought you might find it interesting. See you soon in Nepal!!
