Considering Brian and I leave for Nepal in seven weeks, we decided that it was time to get serious. We needed a plan- a training schedule of sorts to build up our stamina, so that our 10 day trek at high altitude through the Himalayas isn’t a painful experience. Ok, let’s be honest, it’s probably me who needs the training schedule if I am going to survive a 10 day trek through the Himalayas, but let’s just say “we” anyway. If I were a betting woman I would say that our friends and families are less concerned about how Brian is going to fare in this whole situation.
Perfect case in point- on Friday night I met Brian and his friend Ramsey for a drink. The minute I sat down out the table Ramsey told me that he heard about our upcoming trip, then he laughed (a very loud and guttural laugh) and told me that he thought I was going to die on the trek. Yes, he was being playful (I hope). Yes, he had had a few margarita’s (too many) but still…this is a bad sign, right? Not only does the image of me trekking produce a guttural laugh from a person I barely know but it also inspires jokes about death!
I will say that I got a laugh out of imagining myself hanging from a helicopter in a rescue basket while being airlifted out of the Himalayas. We all did actually. Brian also assured me that if this happens he will take lots of pictures for the blog, on his fancy high-resolution camera no less.
Trust me, I can understand why people are unsure about me on this trek. I’m a sensitive girl and I don’t just mean emotionally. I happen to have the world’s most sensitive stomach. It’s easily affected by changes in diet, travel and stress. Brian learned this first hand when I spent most of our trip to Nicaragua with a stomach ache on a pool chair. I’m also incredibly sensitive to the cold. My extremities have been known to turn a ghastly blueish white in the winter months…in LA. In case you didn’t know, LA isn’t known for its cold weather.
When you look up the word “rugged” in the dictionary you’re probably not going to find a picture of me accompanying it. But i’d like to think that what I lack in physical strength, I make up for with spirit.
So when the opportunity arose to trek through the Himalayas, an overly confident, “YES!!” rolled out of my mouth, and it was only after I received an email from Earthbound Expeditions, the organization we will be trekking with, entitled “how to prepare for your trek” did I realize that I may have gotten myself in over my head.
You mean, I don’t just show up for this trek? I need to prepare for it??
Clearly a training schedule was needed. Cue the Rocky theme song music, please.
The plan- complete one very long hike every weekend until we leave on the trip. This weekend we tackled a 5.5 mile hike up a trail called Paseo Miramar in the Santa Monica mountains. Note- this trail has a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean the entire way up but has no shade cover. None. And the sun was a punishing sun yesterday. It kinda made me feel like I was going insane by hour two. I swear I saw Jesus. It was so hot in fact that I got to witness a girl get rescued by the fire department for suffering from heat stroke. It was a pretty dramatic scenario. There was a helicopter and everything. I’m just happy it wasn’t me because that would have been a truly embarrassing start to this whole training thing.
Here is a photo of Brian in a sliver of shade we found. He looks so happy doesn’t he?
and here’s a picture of us at the top!
After one hike I am feeling very confident that I will NOT die while trekking. I got this.
1 down! 7 more to go!!
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365til30.com 
this. is. hilarious!!! I have total faith and KNOW you will make it on your hike sans helicopter 🙂 Having said that, I would train wearing weights or a heavy backpack or something…. just to make the actual hiking on the trip feel that much easier! xoxoxo
Prepping for the trek of a lifetime (make that your mantra!!). And I’m with you on the travel piece – I adore the idea of jet-setting around the world for adventures, but when it happens the changes in climate, food, time and routine take their toll, at least for the first few days, on either side of the trip.
Cannot wait to see what trails and hikes you recommend around the area as you prep for the adventure! And avoiding the all-sun/sliver-of-shade hikes until summer officially clears from the L.A. radar 🙂
Yes. I would be the one that people would laugh at, too- not super ‘rugged’ but up for the challenge! The view from that hike is stellar- worth the pain, right? As long as you remembered sunscreen. EEK!
As someone who has also started hiking recently, I am in full support of your training regimen in preparation for the Himalayas. I’m very jealous. =D Haha. You’ll have to write a series of posts on the experience!! Hopefully one day I will follow in your footsteps!
Oh, Kate. I SO feel you. I had so much anxiety about my trip to Peru. I seriously thought I’d be, like, the one person who has a massive heart attack on the mountain and dies. I joked about it with Mike all the time, mostly because I was just so nervous.
But I didn’t die. And definitely won’t die, or even have any issues. I just know it. You’re in wayyyyy better health than I’ll ever be, and Brian will keep you nice and safe. You’re going to have the best time ever and I can’t wait to experience it all through your blog and photos. It’s the trip of a lifetime. I’m so envious.
Also, if you’re worried about altitude you can talk to your Doc about Diamox. They help you acclimate. I had no side effects and definitely recommend.
HA! You promise??!?!? Thanks for the vote of confidence sweetness. Oh and thanks for the tip about the meds! I think I would feel safer if I had those bad boys on me:)
Before you are allowed to trek in Nepal, it is expected by the Nepalese government that you will spend time acclimating to the higher elevations. They won’t let you get in over your head.
How interesting. How do you know so much about Nepal?! 🙂
You’ve got this. You can totally do it. And you are totally right about your spirit! Can’t wait to hear more as it unfolds!!!
Ahhhhh Rebecca I appreciate that and you!! Thank you:)