Against the Odds

Despite nagging doubts that I was too old, too fat, and not fit enough to make the trek, in January 2006 I finally overcame my fears and started planning in earnest.  There are two trekking seasons in the Himalaya: autumn and spring.  I chose the latter, when the glorious rhododendron forests of Nepal would be in bloom, and I could rub elbows with Everest climbers following the same route.

There were hundreds of trekking companies to choose from, but I settled on Project Himalaya.  Their High Passes trip was one of the few treks that offered destinations of Everest Base Camp and the trekking peak of Kala Patar, plus an excursion to Gokyo. (Also, sleeping in Sherpa lodges sounded much cozier than nylon tents.)  I was intimidated by the high passes part, but if I only made it as far as Tengboche and gazed upon Everest's summit, I'd be thrilled.  That was my goal because, quite honestly, I didn't believe I'd make it all the way to Base Camp.

Signing up at the local gym, I began working out every day before heading out in the field.  My legs were strong from hiking on my job, but I needed to strengthen my lungs.  I became a slave to the elliptical machine.  With only 10 weeks to prepare, it wasn't much, but every little bit helped.  I bought snowshoes so I could exercise at higher elevations.  In less than an hour I could be at 8,000 ft. (2500 m), and I hoped the elevation, cold air, and exertion would prepare me for the Himalaya.  A wrenched knee quickly ended the snowshoe excursions and halted my elliptical workouts for a precious couple of weeks.  I panicked at the thought that it might cause me problems on the trek.

My biggest concern, however, was catching a cold.  Even though my wheezing was under control, respiratory illnesses still took a huge toll on me.  Cold viruses inevitably descend into my lungs and breathing becomes a desperate struggle.  What would it be like in oxygen-depleted air far from medical help?  And how would I determine normal fluid buildup from deadly pulmonary edema?  I started gobbling vitamins and supplements in an effort to boost my immune system.  Despite my angst, everything was falling into place.  My knee healed, I managed to get a month off work (no easy feat!), and my neighbor agreed to look after my cat.

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