I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of the Six Mountain Travel Books written by Eric Shipton. One of the prevailing themes was of the fulfillment of being in the wilderness for the sake of it. Of the excitement of setting out to explore something for the sake of it.
He is lucky who, in the full tide of life, has experienced a measure of the active environment he most desires. In these days of upheaval and violent change, when the basic values of today are the vain and shattered dreams of tomorrow, there is much to be said for a philosophy which aims at living a full life while the opportunity offers.
There are few treasures of more lasting worth than the experience of a way of life that is in itself wholly satisfying. Such, after all, are the only possessions of which no fate, no cosmic catastrophe can deprive us; nothing can alter the fact if for one moment in eternity we have really lived.
I was able to go to Nepal in 2007 on a trip to Everest Base Camp. Reading Shipton's travels re-ignited the wanderlust in me. The urge to be back in the mountains. To be surrounded by awe inspiring pieces of rock. To wonder if I'm going to able to push myself one step further upwards and what will be revealed when that next blank of cloud rolls over.
So this is my tale of the journey from the moment of decision. Today 16th May 2010. To Mera Peak in Nepal in April 2011. Along the way I'm hoping to learn something about myself and what drives me. If I make it up the mountain I cannot think of a better reward than a breath catching view. If not then 3 weeks in the Himalayas sounds like a great place to be. Either way I will need to find reserves in myself I've never tapped before.
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