Hey Friends!
Earlier this month marked 100 days to my Everest trip! AHHH! I signed up for this trip back in DECEMBER and at that time, September 2018 seemed so far away.
And now I suddenly find myself in June. Only 3 months til we fly to Nepal and begin our trek to Everest Base Camp!
As we pass the 100 days mark and the countdown creeps into single digits, I find myself with lots of conflicting emotions. I’m nervous that the trip is approaching so quickly. I feel a little unprepared. Before we know it summer will be over and I’ll be boarding that plan. And at the same time I’m excited because I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. Its such an adventure.
So, since I started this blog to document the preparations for my trip, I feel like its time to get serious about blog updates. I’m going to try to post weekly updates on my preparation throughout the summer, until we get to the trek. Hopefully I’ll also be able to post updates along the trek as well. It sounds like most of the teahouses where we will be staying have some sort of wifi.
Prep Goals
I want to track a few major-ish things as the summer goes on and the trip gets closer.
1. Fitness
While the trek itself is not that physically difficult, I want to be as prepared as possible. I’m a fairly active person, but I don’t walk for hours and hours on end. I’m not much of a hiker in general, so I really do need to break in my boots and the rest of my gear. And ultimately, I don’t want to look back on this summer and feel like I wasted time as I prepare for this trek.
With my training this summer I have a few mini-goals…
- Get stronger
- Maintain my cardio
- Hike more
2. Gear
Have you seen my gear list? Our guides have provided a recommended gear list, which you can find in this post. As of today I still need to acquire about 75% of this list. (AHH!) We’ve got space and weight limitations along the trek, so I want to be sure I bring the best quality gear while not overspending. These goals, along with my overall general indecisiveness and slight miserly attitude toward spending money, has been a dangerous combo. I may have spent all my spare moments over Memorial Day weekend comparing rain jackets online to be sure I got the best price.
3. Emotions
As you may have read in other posts, this trek is waaaay out of my comfort zone. I’m not a hiker or backpacker. I’m not a world traveler. There are certain things about this trip that scare the crap out of me. And, there are other things that seem like a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so, so, so excited for. I had a lot of conflicting emotions when deciding to commit to this trip, most of which I still feel, and I’m sure they will continue. I think it’s important to stay in tune with what you’re feeling, so I’m going to document more about my fears, excitement, etc. throughout the summer, (hopefully) during the trip, and then after.
As I said, this is pretty much the trip of a lifetime and I want to be prepared as possible. I can definitely see myself running to the airport, unwrapping fresh, never-before-used gear, wishing I had planned better in the months leading up to the trip. And I don’t want to be trekking through the Himalayas wishing I had trained more.
Prep So Far…
Fitness
I think I’ll begin tracking my physical training by listing my workouts starting at the 100 day mark. I can’t say I’m following any type of plan. I’ve read a few blogs by other people who have completed this trek, but they are not experts by any means. So, my training is more personal, at least at this point. Also, if you’re reading this looking to build your own training plan, please know I’m not a doctor or personal trainer and I can’t guarantee any of this will actually help me while trekking.
- June 6 (100 Days!) – 45 minute hike at a local park
- June 7 – Early morning Body Pump and a 3 mile walk after work
- June 8 – Rest
- June 9 – Took RPM (cycle class) and CXWorx (core class)
- June 10 – Rest
- June 11 – Taught RPM
- June 12 – 45 min lower body weights at the gym
- June 13 – 2 mile walk
- June 14 – 45 min upper body weights at the gym before work and after work 4 mile hike at the park with a friend
- June 15 – Rest
- June 16 – Subbed RPM
This brings me current from day 100 to the beginning of this week. I plan to post again early next week to continue tracking this. I’m happy I was able to get outside for a few walks/hikes. The weather was beautiful and I NEED to break in my boots more. Hoping to upgrade my strength training a bit more. I want to be comfortable carrying my daypack for two straight weeks!
Gear
If you’ve reviewed my gear list, you’ve got an idea of what I need. Remember this post where I rave about the socks and hiking boots I had just purchased? Well, I’ve acquired very few other items since then.
Big accomplishments so far include:
- Rain coat
- Down vest
- Day pack
- Passport (Yes, I’ve never had one before!)
- A few merino wool/fleece items that may or may not join me in Nepal
I’ve got a ways to go on this one!! I’m a terrible online shopper and some of this stuff I just can’t find locally. I may have spent a good chunk of Memorial Day weekend comparing sale prices on rain coats. Super silly, I know. I need to buckle down and check more off my list. I might create another post about some of the cool things I purchase. I’m loving my daypack so far and I’m just waiting for a rainy day to use that coat.
Emotions
OH MY GOSH WHAT DID I SIGN UP FOR!?!?
…That pretty much sums up my emotions at this point.
Please keep checking back for more updates!! 🙂