Heidi’s Base Camp adventure
A staff member’s story
“If there is anyone looking for a challenge this is it. Feels like such an achievement.”
Heidi Flaherty has worked at Nirvana Spa for many years and is a super-enthusiastic advocate for exercise and the great-outdoors. As well as raising her four children and working, Heidi is an adventure seeker. Her past challenges have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the London to Paris bike ride and the Inca Trail. Heidi’s positive and enthusiastic attitude is so inspiring and her passion for walking, climbing and trekking is infectious to say the least. Her newest adventure is the most challenging to date…trekking to the base camp of Everest.
Walking in the footsteps of legendary adventurers and mountaineers, Everest Base Camp is Heidi’s biggest challenge yet. With a formidable height of 5,364m the climb took 19 days, the longest trek Heidi has so far challenged herself to. Although having had encountered altitude before, she had never experienced it for so long.
Heidi travelled with an organized group of 17 adventurers and she was excited about meeting like-minded people and making new friends. A Sherpa carried 7kg for her which meant she had to carry the rest. Not only was the challenge physically demanding on the body but also emotionally and mentally. The trek took her over challenging terrain and a lot of rickety bridges, however she wasn’t afraid of the heights but was nervous about the cold. Apart from astonishingly beautiful scenery, the personal sense of achievement on reaching the camp was unforgettable. Despite the numbers willing to try this trek, it is not easy. It is thought that every year 4 or 5 people die trying to get to base camp. Training, preparation and research are vitally important.
Heidi’s training included regular running, swimming and walking, with studio cycling and weight training too. She chose the variety of activities with the help of the Pulse 8 fitness team to provide a good combination of cardiovascular endurance, strength training and general fitness. Whilst there’s very little you can do to prepare for high altitude trekking, a good general fitness level is imperative.
Now safely returned, Heidi has completed her goal to raise £1,000 for Mind, the mental health charity. She is already planning her next adventures! She plans to climb in South America’s Patagonia region and hike Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia.
If you would like to support Mind please click this link to Heidi’s Just Giving page.