Her deepness Sylvia Earl is a matriarch for marine conservation, Elizabeth Blackburn is a catalyst for cellular health and longevity, Pollyanna Pickering (and daughter Anna-Louise) are patrons for art and wildlife…these are but some of the inspiring examples where women have invigorated our perspective of gender equality and potential.
In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, our guest piece is by the multi-gen women adventure duo, Heather and Rebekah Hawkins (with son Callum). Through their shared passion for climbing, we discover a bond and bravery common of great women—acknowledging the spirit of leading ladies who have shaped our world and continue to impact innovation as explorers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and every other facet of formative endeavour.
Join us on a trek to the Himalayas in this journal perspective by Heather from her trek of the GHT from March 1st 2016 – July 28th 2016 – 1,700km in 152 days.
It’s Day 38 of the Great Himalaya trail and the glow of my watch says 4am. Here we are, camped out on a glacier, close to the imposing, icy pass Sherpani Col. High above our little yellow tents the stars keep trekking methodically across the clear, inky sky.
Normally I’d be asleep at this time, but no, I’m up, fully dressed, with my gear bag all packed. There’s one last thing to do before I head out. I reach down with cold, fumbling fingers and secure the Velcro on the front of my gaiters. Then with gloves on, I crawl out of the tent.
My head torch catches all the clouds from my breath. This mountain air is cold, really, really cold! As I hoist my heavy backpack up onto one shoulder I stop for a moment to take it all in. All around the mountains stand ghosted in the moonlight – they’re towering, mesmerising, intimidating – and for the very first time, on our journey across Nepal, we’ll be stepping out from beneath their shadow. Today we’ll be climbing up to the point of highest altitude along the GHT – all 6,189 metres of it – we’re heading up and over Sherpani Col.
My son Callum, my daughter Rebekah, and her boyfriend Matt appear from their tents with head torches flashing like thunderstorms on the snow. We soon huddle together and hold hot tin mugs filled with hot black tea and chat about the epic challenge ahead. Our heads and hearts are full of anticipation, and just like every other day on the trek, we draw strength from each other – with practical advice, encouraging words, humour and big, bulky bear hugs through all those thermal layers. Today I can guarantee the hugs are a whole lot tighter!
Right now, we’re part way along our 1,700 km journey across the Himalayas, not just as four individuals, but as family. We’ve clocked ourselves off for a full five months, left behind the creature comforts of home, logged out from social media and set off in our leather boots.
It’s been nothing short of sensational, and has without a doubt, strengthened the bonds of our relationships, increased our love and appreciation of each other and topped up those somewhat depleted stores of personal courage and resilience.
Together we’ve faced fatigue, battled breathlessness at altitude, forded icy streams, abseiled over boulders and stepped over crevasses. Whenever we’ve reached our limits, we’ve been there for each other. No one’s been left behind. No one’s felt broken, hurt or overwhelmed. We’ve talked things through, held out a guiding hand or two up on the fixed lines, nursed each other along when we’ve been sick and chipped in to carry each other’s backpack. It’s been a positive, enlightening and a life changing journey.
Just as the first rays of sun appear over the eastern peaks, we set off from camp, to follow our Sherpas closely across the ice field. We’re in amongst knee deep snow and crevasses. Two hours later we make it to the base of Sherpani Col. It’s a truly daunting pass with all its pale jagged rock, snow and blue ice to negotiate. But there’s no turning back. We clip onto the fixed lines one by one and start to climb. Up and up… I stop to pull the buff away from my face to breathe. Up and up… Our crampons keep us anchored on the mountainside. Up and up… it’s tough going, our legs are shaking but at last we all reach the top.
The views from here are absolutely amazing and the elation inside is uncontrollable. We’ve done it! In every direction the peaks of the Himalayas stretch out forever. Everything’s so white and blue. For a few brief minutes we stand in awe… in silence, and as a family…
It’s then that I realise it’s moments like these, moments that contain both challenge and triumph, that we should allow to soak deep into our soul – allow to shape us, give us new perspective and help us to truly appreciate life and each other.
Then as we climb back down the mountain and ease our way back into daily life, we’ll let these moments keep shaping us, and keep us wondering what on earth our next little adventure will be…
Are you considering treking part or all of the seven stages of the GHT in 2017?
Join Heather and help make a difference by fundraising for cancer research projects through Can Too. Combining classic Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes treks with a stunning crossing of the non-technical Cho La pass provides an unsurpassed circuit trek of the Everest region. The challenge includes climbs of the popular Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar along the way, which provide magnificent photo opportunities of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, and views as far as Kanchenjunga in the east and the Tibetan 8000m peak Cho Oyu to the north.
View Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cholatse, the beautiful pyramid of Ama Dablam, as well as countless other Himalayan peaks. Each night you will be accommodated in private eco campsites as well as handpicked eco lodges. Another dimension to this adventure is the famous Sherpa culture providing a truly unforgettable experience.
Book your spot on the “Heather Hawkins Everest Can Too Challenge”
humacharitychallenge.com or 1300 792 501
