http://www.travelhimalayamagazine.com TRAVEL HIMALAYA SPRING 2019 | 67
and a different way of living. His wife and 6
others heed the call. He gives the following tips
to ponder and prepare:
- The mountains have a plan for everyone.
- Come for the mountains, for yourself and
not anything else. - The group is merely there for moral
support. - Prepare for one of the most rigorous
mental challenges in their life.
Sebastian reckons that climbing a
mountain is like being on a diet; it is 70% in
your head.
The team arrives from their various starting
destination to the Kathmandu Guesthouse.
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with deep tissue massages at a local spa. They
love good food and drinks and can be seen tasting
their way through the restaurants in town.
Rumours of a night time rickshaw adventure
after a particular night of margharitas and sizzling
chocolate brownies with ice cream do the rounds.
The rest of their time in the capital, Kathmandu
is spent buying last-minute trekking supplies and
comfort food to enjoy somewhere when nothing else
gets them motivated to keep walking.
Due to the diversity of the group, the team get
a local travel agency to organize a guide, porters,
accommodation and some activities during their
holiday. Things get a bit more serious when
they meet their guide, Subas Magar, from the
lower Everest region. He gives the necessary
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the planned itinerary. Some alternative options
are discussed for in case things go wrong in the
mountains. He takes his job and the safety
of the team very seriously. He has completed
four marathons this year alone and believes in
leading a healthy lifestyle where you spend more
time outdoors than indoors.
The team need to catch an early, but like
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around 5 hours. Lukla airport (2860m) has
volatile weather conditions that can dramaticallyFA C T S