Those of you who know me personally, (and I suppose those of you who know me impersonally but follow my blog or religiously watch my Instagram stories but never attempt contact otherwise), know that I am always either on a trip or planning my next adventure. Third option is neither, at which point I am dead inside.
Is that a little dramatic? Maybe.
Anyway, I’ll spare you all the theatrics- I’m going on an adventure. In November, I will be trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal for two weeks.
I took the liberty of compiling a list of PAQs (Possibly Asked Questions). I had to make this acronym up, because FAQs would imply that these questions have been asked frequently. They have not.
“Why Nepal?”
Because I have never been there.
Originally, I was planning to trek the Torres del Paine circuit in Patagonia, but one Tuesday evening my father causally called me to say that I should do Nepal instead.
Naturally, I said, “Sure. Why not.”
“Who are you going with?”
Myself. I make great company.
Being a solo female traveller is one of the most exhilarating and empowering things you can do for yourself. Now, did I almost get locked in the cab of a dairy delivery truck hiking alone through the north of Spain (On Getting into Cars with Strangers), and did I have a homeless man protect me from getting robbed at a train station alone at night in Italy (When It’s Not All Fine and Dandy)? Yes, yes I did.
But was it worth it every time? Absolutely.
Okay we get it, Pauline, you’re going to some far away country. But what’s with this trail you’re hiking?
My love for trekking bloomed during my three weeks on the Camino de Santiago, hiking through Northern Spain at the age of 21. Being outdoors revitalizes me. Meeting people from all over the world refreshes me. Walking for miles alone with my own thoughts allows to me recharge and reflect. You should try it sometime.
The Annapurna circuit is regarded as one of the most incredible treks in the world, and I am thrilled to journey through it. I’ll walk about 100 miles total, and I’ll be climbing from tropical climates at 600 meters to arctic climates at a peak of 4,300 meters.
Although I do not know how I will pack for both tropics and the arctic into my beloved 45L Osprey, I do know two things to be true:
- My quads will be totally ripped
- I’m about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
And then you went and recreated this shot! So awesome!