Wiped out with a winter chest infection a year ago, I lay in bed wondering what I would rather be doing for a rapidly approaching milestone birthday. I dreamed of getting out in the fresh air and feeling fit enough to climb mountains. Trekking in the Himalayas has always been on my wish list. Could someone like me really be capable of climbing even the foothills of these remote and massive mountains? I decided it was now or never!
So began months of planning, saving up and getting fitter again. To start with, I could hardly walk up our steep hill from the Estuary without losing my breath. Having convinced my partner John to join me, we were soon dedicating time off to long days in the hills. We are lucky to have the Snowdonia mountains all around us so we tackled Cader Idris, Moel Siabod, and some tough walking in the Rhinogs.
Walking kit for all weathers featured heavily on our Christmas lists; we read up on the dangers of altitude sickness and in January this year we flew out to Nepal.
I’ll never forget those few weeks. We spent 10 days walking in the Annapurna region, safely guided by a Sherpa, staying in simple “tea houses”, and being awestruck by the mountain scenery and solitude.
We saw wild monkeys, huge eagles, temples and prayer flags. We walked up endless stone steps and steep paths to 4,500 metres (that’s over four times the height of Snowdon!), tip-toeing across ice flows as the snowy peaks still towered above us. A helping hand from our Sherpa got me across narrow rock ledges I would never have braved alone. When you are 3 days walk from the nearest jeep track you realise how self-sufficient you have to be.
Everywhere we stayed we were welcomed and treated with friendly care by Nepali people who had very little. We realised our yurts and compost loos at Graig Wen are rather luxurious in comparison!
Holidays and special celebrations are something we all look forward – they come and go so fast you want to be sure you’re making the right plans for a wonderful, memorable time, whether that is on the other side of the world or North Wales.
So let us help you plan your own amazing adventure to Snowdonia. Whether you’re looking for a suitable route up Cader Idris or Snowdon, a plan B if the weather turns rough, or the best place to refuel afterwards, stay at Graig Wen and we’ll give you all the advice you need. for your own epic trip.
Check availability for B & B, glamping, cottages or camping or get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Kathmandu Monkey Temple
Himalayan Terrace view
Wales represent in Nepal!
