This month I’m posted up in Pokhara, Nepal as we wait out the lockdown for the COVID-19 global pandemic. I was logging trail runs weekly and also doing some strength training at my temporary home here. My goals for this month were 1000m vertical in an hour, 50-60 kms a week of trail running, and continuing to make plans for the Karakoram for this summer, the Tien Shan in early Autumn, and then the Dolpo Himalayas for the post monsoon climbing season in Nepal. There are a lot of variables in the way of the goals I want to achieve, it is not certain whether any of these climbing and skiing trips will actually take place. However, we have to continue on, it would be a shame for it to be a possibility and not be ready. So, I train the body, the mind, and keep the plans in place.
We’ve all had a lot of time to think during this lockdown period. For me, I’ve thought a lot about what is most important to me, where I want to go with my life and also the finer detail of how I do that. Nothing earth shattering. I’ve definitely realized how I’ve become accustomed to continual movement and pursuits in the mountains. To be at home cooking food, doing life chores and keeping time has certainly been an eye opener. Mostly, I’m really not the best at it. Whatever national policies that are put in place that affect the mountains I climb in will decide my next moves, I will be ready.
