Setting out on a trekking adventure in the Himalayas is not in the realm of a leisurely walk in the park. I know that’s obvious, but let’s put into perspective the effort and sacrifices required to undertake the experience. There’s a long list of opportunity costs against seeing the the world’s highest mountain peaks with your own eyes, and the time away from work and family and the money paid for travel are too expensive for many of us. Still the magnitude and challenge of hiking to see Annapurna or Mt. Everest is something that drives a persons passions and dreams for a lifetime. There are many people who casually daydream about pitting themselves against the trials of nature’s extremes and reaching planet earth’s ultimate elevation. Some take it seriously and keep a plan fresh on their lifetime “to-do” list, and they work to save up enough money and vacation time to take the excursion. Then there are some who are born to challenge the mountains and they center their lifestyle and livelihood on the pursuit of the greatest high adventure rush.

As I’ve mentioned before I came upon the opportunity to go trekking in Nepal quite capriciously. I had never even considered traveling across the globe to wander around in a 3rd world country and live on potatoes for a month, but after the fact I wish I had dreamt of it before. As we lounged in the tea houses we me many other adventurous spirits who were enjoying the culmination of practically their life’s aspirations. They told their life story of always loving hiking and hoping to one day carry it to some exotic locations. They started their career and family, lost track of the time, and finally got close to retirement. From there they started making flight reservations and buying equipment. As we met them midstream in their dreamland they were floating on elation from living out their fantasies of far-flung adventures. Fortunately, their bad luck with altitude sickness didn’t kill the buzz for them.