Matt Fioretti and Ama Dablam

A few years back my clients took an acclimatization hike toward a village called Dingboche.  I captured this photo on their return  and could not help but feel the immenseness of the mountains of the Himalayan range.  The mountain in the background is the Northern aspect of Ama Dablam.  To give you an idea of the size of these mammoth spirits………..   It would take about 4 hours to reach the base of the mountain from where they stand.  The summit is roughly another 3800 feet above the top of the photo or over a vertical mile from where the clients stand.  It takes an average of 22 days to climb to the summit from its base on the South West Ridge route the body working with 25% less oxygen.

  I have spent 105 days climbing this mountain over 3 different expeditions.  Thats 105 days in a tent, 105 days above 16,000 feet,  105 days without a shower?  HMMMMMM………………..

North Face of Ama Dablam.  Clients are standing at 16,000 feet.  click on photo to enlarge

Alive or Living

The definition of "alive".   We woke at 3am in the still, quiet, air of 15,600 feet. The thermometer sank to 21 degrees during the night, and a sliver moon back lit the night shyly.  You would think one would be inclined to burrow deep into the down sleeping bag and slumber back to a deep warm sleep.  Nope.  I was excited and very excited for my clients.  We were getting ready to hike to 17,800 feet to the summit of Gokyo Ri.  Yes a hike to 17,600 feet.  Clients stepped out into the night, none had been this high, none had attempted a hike of this magnitude, none had been out in the 3am dark donning high altitude down coats.  Our head lamps cut through the thin Himalayan air.  It was as if we were the only being on the planet as we walked between 20,000 foot peaks.  At the head of the valley stood Cho Oyu the 6th highest peak in the world.  The stream we crossed held the melt water of Cho Oyu. I could not help but think of the water flowing under me, how far has it traveled.  How far will it go.  A mystery for sure.

I thought about my life.  Am i alive?  As I walk to the base to start the 2400 foot vertical ascent with clients in tow, I felt 100% alive.  I could feel my breath, I could feel my heart beat.  I noticed the stars and the light reflecting off of snow,  thousands of winking crystals.  I was cognizant of every step, making sure to use my energy wisely.  The awareness of my thighs flexing every step up, made me mindful of the interlocking muscle groups, working together a kind of dance.  The moisture on my exhale visible, my body exuding water and mixing with the universe.  I could feel in these moments in this journey of thousands of mindful steps, that I was alive.

At home I live.  I go to work, pay bills, drive through the city numb.  I live but am not always fully alive. I rush.  I have appointments, the clock ruling me.  There are definitely times when I am alive but one has to pay attention or they pass.  

Alive or Living.  When alive we are fully experiencing our bodies, our breath, our movement.  When we are alive we feel the connection between our movements and our home, mother nature.  We are aware that we are apart of nature and that within this we, the grass, the snow crystal, the water flowing under foot all make up one.  The dried flower and dew drop, we are not separate.  

Bavarian Meats Seattle

I wanted to Thank "Bavarian Meats" in Seattle.  When your body is at altitude your heart rate is ramped up to accommodate the lack of oxygen.  For example your resting heart rate at sea level may be 60.  Above 15,000 feet your resting heart rate may be 75 or higher.  It is like you are on a long walk or jog 24 hours a day everyday you are at altitude.  For example this trek we jogged for 15 days straight 24 hours a day.  It is not uncommon to loose 5 to 12 pounds.  This trip I lost 6 pounds in 14 days.  Last trip eight.

 It is often not easy to keep up the calories because of this quickened metabolism.  I found that the Landjaeger Sticks that Seattle Bavarian meats supplied me made it easy to keep up my strength and calorie intake.  The meat is tasty.  I will use them on long runs, hikes, and alpine climbs.  They pack easy,  last, and are super yummy.  Definitely try the Landjaeger on your next outing.  I look forward to trying other meat specialties I spied when at the store in Pike Place Market.  Thank You Bavarian Meats.