Luke Smithwick in the Tetons.
I am back in the Tetons. At the start of the month I boarded a chartered flight with 200+ others passengers from Kathmandu, Nepal to Chicago, USA. Since then I’ve continued my training, logging 12-15 hours a week of cardiovascular sessions. When the weather allows I’m going up into the Tetons to ski, although most days I’m trail running and mountain biking on the extensive network of trails here in the Teton Valley of Idaho. Last week I made the call to not go to the Karakoram due to an outbreak in the northern regions of Pakistan. It wasn’t exactly my choice, travel to Pakistan is still allowed, however, climbing permits are currently not being issued. It makes total sense to not allow regional and international outsiders to travel into remote regions of the Karakoram that do not have medical facilities to support an outbreak of covid-19. If I were in a leadership position in Gilgit-Baltistan I would do the same. Good on them for making the right call.
If climbing is allowed in Nepal this coming Autumn 2020 Himalaya season I will go for an 8000m project I have planned there. Today and forward I will continue to push the body and be ready for it here in Idaho. It is not certain whether it will be possible, however as I mentioned last month, it would be a shame for it to be possible and not be ready. My goals for this summer here in the Tetons are traverses and routes in the Cathedral group, trail running traverses from Wyoming <> Idaho, and getting more involved here in the local community. I must say it feels strange to not be in the Himalayas.
-Luke Smithwick | Victor, Idaho | 1900m | 1034 |
