Island Peak Climbing was the hardest and best thing I have ever done.
I’m not a pro climber. I had never even used crampons before this. But something about that peak in Nepal pulled me in. It stands at 6,189 meters (20,305 feet) high. That's taller than any mountain in Europe.
Why I Chose Island Peak
I read that over 300 people climb Island Peak each season [Nepal Mountaineering Association, 2023]. Most of them are not expert climbers. That gave me hope.
I wanted to try something big. Something I would never forget. And Island Peak gave me that.
The Climb
The first days were long but fun. We walked through small villages and saw huge mountains all around us. The air got thinner as we went higher. I felt tired. But I kept going.
The last night was the toughest. We started climbing in the dark, around 1 AM. It was freezing. My water bottle turned to ice. My fingers felt numb. I thought I couldn’t do it.
But I kept walking.
Reaching the Top
When the sun came up, everything looked gold. Snow sparkled like stars. The summit was close. My heart was racing.
When I reached the top, I cried a little. Not because I was sad. But because I made it.
I was standing on top of Island Peak.
What I Learned
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You don’t have to be a pro to climb big things.
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You just need to keep moving, one step at a time.
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Nature is big. But your will can be bigger.
Final Thoughts
Island Peak Climbing is not easy. It’s cold. It’s steep. But it’s also beautiful. And real.
If you ever want to do something wild and true, try Island Peak. It changed how I see myself.
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