Day one: Off we go
Today we started the Manaslu tracking hike, which resulted in 17 kilometers of back pain (thank you Decathlon for a great backpack), sore legs and as I would call it: a hiking high. We’ve ascended 600 meters and whilst climbing the toughest mountain path, with a maximum width of 1 meter, loose rocks everywhere and a ravine next to it, the thoughts of giving up and hiring a porter to carry my bag for the rest of the weeks, was more than tempting.
Packing regrets and rookie mistakes
I would not advice taking your laptop and your drone with you, seeing that your laptop won’t be used in the mountains (duh) and the drone is not allowed. Just to clarify, Jet and I will be traveling to Pokhara after the hike, therefore, I wouldn’t be able to pick up my stuff from the hostel in Kathmandu and I really didn’t trust the guy bringing our remaining stuff to Pokhara from taking my expensive belongings.
Talking advice, I would definitely recommend a hiking bag, rather than a backpack from Decathlon. It fits a nice amount of stuff, but it is definitely not designed for its comfort and long hiking tours. So, Decathlon, even though I am not able to divide the weight evenly, I can’t hang stuff on my backpack and there is some weird pole sticking in my back, I can’t blame you :)
The mountain high moment
I felt my trekking high when we stopped after the toughest mountain path (so far). We were sitting on a little bench, in the sun and the realization hit me: I have managed, not only to stay alive and not fall off the cliff, but to carry my bag of 10-12kg, with pain in my shoulders and in my back, my legs didn’t give up once and now, I am sitting on top of a mountain in Nepal, with the sun on my face, making new friends along the way. What a life.
New friends on the trail
Two of the friends we made were two Danish guys - going of from the T-shirt I was wearing (Napapijri), they thought we were from the Nordics as well. Quickly, we set the record straight, as we didn’t understand a word they were saying. We wished each other good luck before getting up on that monstrous mountain, and after, they sat down with us. One of the guys showed me the trail we’ve been hiking so far, and seeing the progress we’ve made, made me feel even more proud of the things I can achieve.
Mind over muscle
Just for your understanding, I work out daily, but I am a fitness girl, not so much a girl with great stamina. So, this is quite challenging. Even though I have been swimming with my sister every week, for the past few months, my stamina is nowhere near where it should be. Making me even more proud of what I can achieve if I set my mind to it.
My sister also gave me a t-shirt with the quote: “You’re stronger than you think”. That thought, kept me going on the hard sections of the trail. I replaced the: “I am getting a porter after this track” with: “You’re stronger than you think”. And look at me, I’ve made it. Showing how much your mindset can have an impact on the path before you. Mindset is everything and seeing that I have made it the first day, I am not planning on quitting now! Keeping the mindset strong and positive and in 9 days, I will hit the 5106 meters.
