Are you suitable for the GHT?
Could you take on the longest, highest and most diverse alpine walking track in the world? Based on his experiences, 2019 Great Himalaya Trail trekker, Brian, shares ways to prepare yourself in order to complete this 1700-kilometre and five-month long feat.
"First you need the serious money to be put down on a huge bet.
"Secondly you need the fitness, both physically and mentally. You do not have to be a super marathoner, but you do have to be fit.
"Expect six hours of hard walking day after day. The Himalayas does not take prisoners, and you will be spending considerable effort at half the normal air pressure.
"You need robust health, the sort of person who does not take days off work.
"Mentally, you will be living on the edge for five months without any significant break. There will be real physical risk. You must handle it with genuine calm.
"You need a head for heights. Paths usually drop off steeply to one side.
"You must socialise with the other clients and help each other. Paying for the GHT is not a bus ticket. You must still contribute, returning a hello in the morning, listening to other people, staying back to show slow ones the way, acknowledging their existence.
"I strongly recommend previous experience trekking in the Himalayas. Not just the Everest Base Camp trek, but something serious like Tilman Pass.
"I am not trying to put you off, I am just trying to minimise the risk of failure. If you look at the blogs, for a holiday, there is an exceptionally high rate of people pulling put.
"If you satisfy all this, then the GHT is superb value for money. You really do disappear into another world, that other tour companies only hint at promising.
"You will win bigly.
"It will still be the toughest thing you ever do in your life, but you will never forget your GHT, no matter how hard you try."
