Achievement – some people think of running a marathon, others who live with illness think of doing up a button or walking a block. I thought of my own quest to trek as many spots as I can in my life. I have been to 11,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies and the Himalayan Hills, down into the Grand Canyon and up to almost 14,000 feet in the Andes. Everest Base Camp, the Alps, Kilomanjero and Mount Fuji are also on the list. One day, I’ll get there.
Taken on the fourth morning of my trek in the Himalayan Hills, at almost 11,000′, Annapurna 2 is so close I could touch it. I’d had a bad bout of altitude sickness the day before when we’d crested the ridge. This morning felt like a miracle.Part way into the Grand Canyon, I stop looking out at the glory surrounding me and look down to where we are going. We’re at about 5,200′. Only a couple thousand to go before we get to the bottom.At just under 14,000′ I was at my highest point yet in the Andes. I cannot express how amazing it feels to be so high and know you got there despite odds, and breathe in glory.
I had to include the next, despite the fact that it doesn’t follow the trekking theme. The sense of you and the elements is as tangible when pulling hard through a set of rapids as when breathing evenly and deeply at altitude. There is nothing like either of them.
While I was in Nepal, I also went rafting – another achievement. The rapids we had just come through were frightening in their intensity – and so exciting to run. This raft came down about 15 minutes after we beached for lunch. You can see the feeling of accomplishment in his joyous greeting.
I'm a Canadian who loves our planet and the people living on it. I also love to travel and take pictures. I'd like to think I've improved a little, but am pretty sure there's room to be better.
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4 thoughts on “Achievement”
Wonderful achievements. I’ve never climbed a mountain but I have been white water rafting several times. Going again is on my bucket list. 🙂
A Canuck's Eye View 
Wonderful achievements. I’ve never climbed a mountain but I have been white water rafting several times. Going again is on my bucket list. 🙂
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I’ve only rafted the once, but would love to do it again. I hope you get to.
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