This time six years ago I was hiking the Annapurna circuit in Nepal. Just a couple of days prior to flying to Nepal, a freak blizzard hit and hordes of hikers got caught at Thorung La pass at 5416m. Due to altitude sickness and other reasons, some of these people pushed on to descend the mountain, and basically walked into the storm.
43 people lost their lives.
It was surreal to be in the same location just 2 weeks after the tragedy, dealing with my own altitude sickness whilst descending down the mountain, passing packs and clothes and other belongings of those who perished.
Off in the distance was a helicopter struggling through the thin air at that altitude, which I had assumed was helping with the recovery effort. We found out later that day that the helicopter was there to retrieve a hiker suffering from altitude sickness, who later died.
Due to the uncharacteristic blizzard for that time of the year, the pass had been cut off just days before we summited, and there was snow covering everything. The scenery was stunning and there were not many hikers to share the trail with.
These unique, yet unfortunate circumstances allowed me to be one of only a few people to hike the circuit and see the beautiful landscape with an unusual amount of snow on the ground for that time of the year, making for an absolutely stunning backdrop that constantly took my breath away (literally and figuratively).
To this day, this was one of the most impactful and beautiful places I have visited.
It is crazy to think that the very thing that caused so much sadness and grief, was also the very same thing that made this such an amazing hike for those that followed.
RIP to those who were lost on the mountain.
Shout out to the amazing people in our group that I was fortunate enough to meet, and share the beauty of the Himalayas with, in one of my most memorable and favourite adventures.
"The days are long, but the years are short!"
Shaun Kober is a Mindset & Performance Specialist, with a unique skillset forged in the trenches, through the various stages of life.
"I shouldn’t be in the position I am right now."
The odds were stacked against me:
● Poor family on welfare, eldest of 6 kids, parents didn’t work, abusive step-dad, no electricity or running water for a 6 years period of my life
● Caught up with the wrong crowd, stealing, drugs, skipping school
● At 14 years old, I sat on a bus for 3 days with $50 in my pocket, to travel to the next State over West, to begin a new life in the workforce - 2000
14 - 20: I grew up and learned how to become a man through work and rugby
20 - 26: I lived, trained and fought as a professional soldier, at a high level
26 - 32: I became a personal trainer, after failing in my pursuit to become a firefighter
32 - 38: I worked with, and won world titles with some of the best athletes on the planet, as their strength and conditioning coach
38+: The next evolution begins
#coachedbykobes
#livetrainperform
#mindsetandperformance
Live Life To The Fullest.
Train To Your Potential.
Perform At Your Best!
https://www.coachedbykobes.com/
