Tomorrow, September 15, 2023, Ken and I leave for Nepal, where we have booked a 32-day trek on the Manaslu Circuit and the Annapurna Circuit. People have asked why we are doing this. We honestly don't know. It's not really a lifelong bucket list thing. But when we think back, it does seem like we've been preparing for it forever.
Since we were kids, we have loved to camp and hike and travel. Forty-seven years ago, we drove to Mexico with a friend of Ken's and spent time in the mountain town of Zacatecas. As our kids grew up, we backpacked and skied in the mountains of Montana, Canada, and New Hampshire. For the past 20 years, we have hiked and biked and skied the high peaks in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Eight years ago, we trekked to Choquequirao and Machu Pichu in Peru. Four years ago, we climbed Mount Olympus in Greece. Wherever we go, we head to the highest points, tackling summits in Ireland, Croatia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Italy, Catalonia, Greece...
At some point over the last few years, we started talking about the Himalayas. We have never been to Asia, and the scenery and culture of Nepal intrigue us. The Annapurna Circuit seems like a true challenge but something we might be able to do.
We are realizing that our ability to hike high and long is not going to last much longer. We struggle a bit with arthritis and artificial body parts, altitude has always bothered me and may be an issue for Ken when we get above 17,000 feet, and balance and stamina are not exactly concerns but are things we have become aware of.
So, tomorrow, we take off for Kathmandu. We are as prepared as flatlanders can be: We spent two months biking steep hills in England and Wales, followed by more biking in Wyoming and Southern Minnesota, plus hiking in North Dakota and Minnesota parks. Two people who have completed the Annapurna Circuit suggested that we go to Nepal a couple of weeks early and train for the altitude and mountain trails right there. And that is what we are doing. Our two weeks on the Manaslu Circuit are training for the two weeks on the Annapurna Circuit.
We have hired a guide and a porter to lead us from beginning to end. If the planned treks prove to be too much, we will find other parts of Nepal to explore--at lower elevations and on easier terrain. Whatever happens, we are ready!
