Between September and May, I had a lot of time to think and read about trekking in India. The months were passing by rather quickly while I was comparing reviews on backpacks, sleeping bags, and hiking shoes. I was studying the route, the distances between camp sites, and the respective altitudes along the way.
In January, 2014, I applied for my visa to India. The process was relatively painless. Well, let’s just say that it was less painful than the physical exertion I would have to endure during the trek. After checklist on top of checklist, much fine print and circular instruction, my visa was granted! One obstacle – overcome.
There are a few people out there who have written of their trekking experiences. The more I submerged myself into the topic, the more real the trek became to me. And the more nervous I became. I found out about the possibility of high altitude sickness, leeches, and even earthquakes.
As the trek approached, I was more seriously thinking about my physical fitness and that it might not be sufficient. I read that you should be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes in order to be fit enough for a high altitude trek. The summer before, I had run a half-marathon so I had some training in building up stamina. I thought, ok, I can do this. But, I had never carried a backpack with a heavy load . . . uphill!
Around March, I purchased my pack, loaded it up with 2 gallons of water, and was off to test it out in my new hiking shoes on my favorite paved trail just outside of Chicago. As you can see, I am on completely flat ground at, essentially, sea level, which is not even close to resembling the conditions I will be facing on the trek. I walked several miles with my 16.5 lb / 7.5 kg load and my shoulders were killing me! My anxiety is increasing.
To add fuel to the fire, my friends are bewildered that I – a single female – would go off by myself to India to trek with a bunch of people I had never met. At the same time, while I am concerned about high altitude sickness and how one girl on the same trek had to turn around half way due to the illness, my co-workers are having their fun with me which I am not finding the least bit amusing.
Miscellaneous insanity comes my way, such as that I will be raped or kidnapped, maybe both. I will be eaten by a Bengali tiger. That’s funny. Surely, I will catch some disease, such as malaria. Mosquitoes, you know. By now, my head is spinning. In addition, it turns out that my Facebook friend from Hong Kong will not be able to join us after all. It is April and the trek is one month away. Oh and Air India – the airline on which my flight is booked – is on strike! My anxiety reaches its peak.
Nevertheless, I have support from a few people when I need it most. A female co-worker is living my adventure through me and provides much appreciated encouragement from beginning to end. I also make friends on Facebook with a writer, Eddie Delezen. I find out, coincidentally, that he has written a memoir of his service in the Vietnam War. [You can find Eddie Delezen’s book here: http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Tiger-Memoir-Company-Vietnam-ebook/dp/B005UCELRQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=] It may seem strange, but I find the book relevant to my upcoming adventure and it strengthens my courage. I read about how he and his mates ‘trek’ through dense jungles of Vietnam with immensely heavy weight on their backs while drinking putrid water and sleeping with one eye open. He survives. I think I will too.
Ravi, my trek organizer from India, stays cool as this trek is nothing new to him. I try not to bother him with my worries. If he is confident, then I should be too. I also draw on inspiration from my friend Satya, an engineer from India, who overcomes asthma and decides to fulfill his dream of climbing the seven summits of the world. [You can follow Satya here: https://www.facebook.com/MountaineerSatyarup] I tell Satya about my anxiety and he reassures me that it will be ok. I am ok. And most of all, I get the final seal of approval from my 77 year old mother, who has survived many things in her life, including war. She says, go. I am going.
Next: India, here I come.
Next: India, here I come.
No comments:
Post a Comment