The Preparation

Nepal boasts one of the best walking trails on earth. That’s why I am very much drawn to it and it had been my dream to trek up its world famous Himalayan range. So, when my friend Leow called and asked if I was interested in going to Nepal – trekking! I jumped on the bandwagon because I have missed many opportunities, and I was not about to miss another one.

Our aim was to trek up to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,095m in the Annapurna Region, located on the Central part of Nepal. About two-third of the trekkers in Nepal visit the Annapurna Region; as the area is easily accessible, plenty of hotels and lodges on the hill and more importantly the trek offers good scenery.

A friend of mine and her husband had been to various parts of the mountains in Nepal. We met up with them one day to find out more about trekking there so as to better prepare ourselves.

When we met them, we told them of our intention. There were four of us – Leow and the wife, Alice; Joyce and me. As the husband was telling us about his experience, he ‘surveyed’ the three ladies. He gave us the ‘you sure you want to go, very tough you know’ look. He told us that it could be very tough and many people were often overcome by high altitude sickness. He recounted some of his personal experience. I was shaken by the ‘look’, and the remarks. Leow could sense it and on the way back he told me not to worry, ‘Well, I was there last year, though we did not reach as high as our target for this trip, I know how it is like trekking there. What is important is to train hard to build up our physical strength and at the same time be mentally prepared as well.’

His positive words and encouragement put me back to perspective. I went back for training, more determined than ever. Unfortunately one week before departure, while training at Batu Cave, I felt nausea and threw up after three rounds. It was very unusual. It could be due to ‘nerves’ and anxiety as the departure date drew near. All these days of training and preparation seemed to be evaporating into thin air. Fortunately, I felt better afterwards and left for the trip.