Aug
19
Written by:
Renee
19/08/2008 7:13 AM
Our designated rest day dawns much as the others so far - clear and cold but there is a different vibe this morning. We´re not walking today. Last night we collectively decide to have a rest day. Chloe and I are feeling physically fatigued and Chloe is feeling a bit of emotional fatigue. We have both hit a wall after 6 days of hiking - I needed some time out to buy back into why I was doing this. I was finding it pretty full on, rolling out of bed and within an hour starting a steep ascent to a pss. Chloe was feeling the physical strain and was homesick to boot.
Our rest day is perfect. We are camping at a spot that has hot springs. Two pools, 1 for swimming and 1 for washing. After breakfast, Nat, Lissy and I head straight for the baths and to wash our clothes. Chloe heads for the tent for some time out with a book.
An extended period in the outdoor bath surrounded by mountains, sheep and the odd condor, is the perfect balm for me. It allows me some time out to really soak up (pardon the obvious bathing pun) where we are. I must admit I was feeling a little heart sick by this stage myself and spent much of that day, trying to resolve the lack of contact with my partner with an enthusiasm for our location and this once in a lifetime opportunity.
We learn after lunch of what had transpired in the morning with Chloe and Jade. Chloe is given the option to leave - something that shocked me. Her emotional investment is low and she is desperately homesick. Jade comments that she has learnt that people are better leaving the trek than trying to continue with their heart not in it. Jade suggests Chloe take some time out to reconnect with why she wanted to come on the trip and decide if it was something she wants to continue with. It was in fact an offer extended to all of us.
We spend a couple of hours together as a team in the afternoon doing some exercises to uncover where we are at, what personal mountains we might still have to climb and what we are holding on to or resisting that might prevent us from the acending the mountains. These are exercises not typically done on treks but what was becoming apparent was that certain personal challenges will play out on the mountain whether we like it or not. The refreshing thing about this process is that it allows us the freedom to admit the reason for a bad day, bad head space and offers an environment to resolve it, to get you to the best possible place to finish the trek. After all 7 passes at high altitude and 12 days of camping is a challenging task for the non-mountaineer.
What were my mountains? Mine were primarily physical - I was frustrated with my body. I expected it all to click after a couple of days and the breathlessness and headaches to go away and to become super woman on the ascents. Clearly it is going to take me a little longer and unfortunately there was no substitute for preparation. But as this very supportive team keeps reminding the pace is fine and we´re all getting to our destination each day. And there´s no shame in options (like a well-timed horse ride up a hill!)
Chloe decides to stay and interestingly as we slide in the darkness of the evening the mood of the team is considerably lighter.
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