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By DUNCAN CLARK 12 Mar, 2017

It’s good to dream.

It’s good to commit.

Dream. Commit. Worry about the details later. Let training take care of any physical and technical skills gaps, work to close the financial gap…read on to see what I mean!

This is Geraldine's story really, aka ‘GG’, mother,  professional acupuncturist and yoga teacher. Been for a walk in the Cotswolds and once ascended Stac Pollaidh [1]  with more experienced friends – otherwise she has no mountain experience.

It's also mine, because I agreed to be GG's coach and mentor - to help make the dream come true - and to quote the late Michel Thomas 'the responsibility for learning is solely with the teacher'. No pressure then :)

I mentioned Yoga right? Kundalini Yoga to be precise, or to be even more precise, Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan…so a natural interest in India is to be expected from any self-respecting yogini and GG is no exception.

The trip she dreamed of, in general terms was maybe visiting the Golden Temple and a stay in an Ashram – to ‘get away from it all’.  We’d been discussing this and I had mentioned something about 'walking meditation' so the ashram had been postponed by the prospect of a trekking and camping holiday in Kerala…a few days gentle trekking amongst the tea plantations, sightseeing, a stay on a houseboat..that sort of thing.

…so far so good, but this is where things start to get interesting.

We were going over some basics for expeditions starting with a required kit list, but as mentioned GG isn’t really a regular hillwalker, so consequently had very little kit of her own…

Next job -  compile a list of the basic essentials which would be required; waterproofs, boots, sleeping bag, fleece, belay jacket, hat, gloves, whistle, battery charging ability etc etc etc. As the £££ stacked up, though you could see a shadow of doubt so I was reassuring her that modern outdoor equipment is so good, and so well made that it could easily give 10 years plus regular service...really, a sensible and good value investment..

“If you enjoy yourself in Kerala, you might want to go on another trip the following year and you can use all that equipment..”

“That’s true. Where else could I go trekking?” (see what I mean about experience?)

“Well anywhere really…I’d probably give the Middle East and Pakistan a miss at the moment, same for bits of Africa, but apart from that you could take your pick. How about somewhere like Nepal – it’s next door to India, people are really friendly, has amazing scenery, and lots of interesting temples and things..”

“Sounds good, have you got any pictures?” And at this point the reason for this story was born…one picture of the Annapurna Sanctuary, prayer flags fluttering in the sun, was all it took.

You know that look when a person’s eyes open wide, when you just know they’re dreaming of something amazing….this is what happened.

“I want to go there” she said

“But I thought you were going to Kerala?”

“No. There. And, I want you to take me. What will it take?”

Mental attitude. Don’t worry about where you are now…imagine where you could be if you put your mind to it. I just love the stickers you see on some LandRover 4X4s as it sums up a great attitude to just about everything…

One life. Live it.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Next time; tantrums and exhilaration as training commences

1 Stac Pollaidh – a mountain in North Scotland

[2] Ashram – a sort of spiritual collective, typically headed by a Guru or teacher

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By DUNCAN CLARK 12 Mar, 2017

It’s good to dream.

It’s good to commit.

Dream. Commit. Worry about the details later. Let training take care of any physical and technical skills gaps, work to close the financial gap…read on to see what I mean!

This is Geraldine's story really, aka ‘GG’, mother,  professional acupuncturist and yoga teacher. Been for a walk in the Cotswolds and once ascended Stac Pollaidh [1]  with more experienced friends – otherwise she has no mountain experience.

It's also mine, because I agreed to be GG's coach and mentor - to help make the dream come true - and to quote the late Michel Thomas 'the responsibility for learning is solely with the teacher'. No pressure then :)

I mentioned Yoga right? Kundalini Yoga to be precise, or to be even more precise, Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan…so a natural interest in India is to be expected from any self-respecting yogini and GG is no exception.

The trip she dreamed of, in general terms was maybe visiting the Golden Temple and a stay in an Ashram – to ‘get away from it all’.  We’d been discussing this and I had mentioned something about 'walking meditation' so the ashram had been postponed by the prospect of a trekking and camping holiday in Kerala…a few days gentle trekking amongst the tea plantations, sightseeing, a stay on a houseboat..that sort of thing.

…so far so good, but this is where things start to get interesting.

We were going over some basics for expeditions starting with a required kit list, but as mentioned GG isn’t really a regular hillwalker, so consequently had very little kit of her own…

Next job -  compile a list of the basic essentials which would be required; waterproofs, boots, sleeping bag, fleece, belay jacket, hat, gloves, whistle, battery charging ability etc etc etc. As the £££ stacked up, though you could see a shadow of doubt so I was reassuring her that modern outdoor equipment is so good, and so well made that it could easily give 10 years plus regular service...really, a sensible and good value investment..

“If you enjoy yourself in Kerala, you might want to go on another trip the following year and you can use all that equipment..”

“That’s true. Where else could I go trekking?” (see what I mean about experience?)

“Well anywhere really…I’d probably give the Middle East and Pakistan a miss at the moment, same for bits of Africa, but apart from that you could take your pick. How about somewhere like Nepal – it’s next door to India, people are really friendly, has amazing scenery, and lots of interesting temples and things..”

“Sounds good, have you got any pictures?” And at this point the reason for this story was born…one picture of the Annapurna Sanctuary, prayer flags fluttering in the sun, was all it took.

You know that look when a person’s eyes open wide, when you just know they’re dreaming of something amazing….this is what happened.

“I want to go there” she said

“But I thought you were going to Kerala?”

“No. There. And, I want you to take me. What will it take?”

Mental attitude. Don’t worry about where you are now…imagine where you could be if you put your mind to it. I just love the stickers you see on some LandRover 4X4s as it sums up a great attitude to just about everything…

One life. Live it.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Next time; tantrums and exhilaration as training commences

1 Stac Pollaidh – a mountain in North Scotland

[2] Ashram – a sort of spiritual collective, typically headed by a Guru or teacher

Show More
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