Four Friends and a Himalayan Adventure
Here’s the four of us, (l-r) Kirsten, Laura, Deb & Traysi
The story so far
Once upon a time - ok, several years ago - four fabulous women crossed paths and have been friends ever since. Fast forward to today, and we’re ready to embark on an epic adventure: trekking through the foothills of the Himalayas. Yep, you read that right! We’re heading out on October 14th, flying to Delhi and then taking the overnight train and then bus to McLeod Ganj near Dharamshala.
Picture it: four fifty-something women, tackling mountains in temperatures from a sizzling 40 degrees to a frosty -1, all while camping (yes, I did say camping….). The highest we go is a heady 3550m! It’s taken a lot for us to get ready, the training plan was hard!! We’ve been to the Lake District, the Peak District and some of us even the Cairngorms. We’ve also had a lot of laughs along the way - and even worn our boots out and had a few injuries!
Let’s just say, we're prepared with plenty of layers and a healthy sense of humour!
Aside from the stunning scenery and gorgeous vistas, we each have our own personal reasons for taking on this adventure.
Deb’s story:
Deb’s story is one of resilience, love, and some seriously heart-stopping moments - literally. Her husband Steve had a heart attack out of the blue, which thrust them into a whirlwind of hospital visits and lifestyle changes. Good news is that Steve is now fit and healthy.
Deb’s has an upcoming significant birthday (which must not be named), which is another reason for the trek! She’s trekking to celebrate life, resilience, and to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation, ensuring more families can have stories with a happy ending like theirs.
Kirsten’s story:
Life threw her for a loop when her mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020. It’s been a rollercoaster, full of chaos and angst, and she sort of forgot to take care of herself. Fast forward past a fair bit of comfort eating (thank you, menopause) and Laura's ‘let’s do something massive’ comment hit home.
Motivated by friendship and a dress size she’d rather forget, she has shed 5 stone and feels ready to face whatever the Himalayas throw at her - even if she will probably still forget how to use a sleeping bag amid altitude and woolly socks.
Laura’s story:
Meet Laura, our fearless adventurer taking on the Himalayas to mark her 50th birthday. With the Great North Run at 30 and the Great Wall of China at 40 under her belt, this trek is her next great challenge. Alongside her are her trusty companions Kirsten and Deb - fellow adventurers from the Great Wall - and our newbie, Traysi, stepping bravely into new territory.
This trek is personal for Laura. Life’s thrown its share of trials, but she’s using this journey to honour the support Macmillan Cancer Support offered her late husband, James. Trekking for them means celebrating life’s strengths and remembering its fragility.
So here’s to Laura, her incredible spirit, and this amazing adventure. Her full story will be published in a separate blog so stay tuned!
Traysi's Story:
Meet Traysi, our brave explorer bringing spirit and grit to our Himalayan expedition. For her, this trek is more than just scaling mountains; it’s a journey of personal growth and resilience—a celebration of moving towards all the amazing adventures life still holds.
At 57 and on the brink of becoming a grandma, Traysi is here to show that climbing mountains—both literal and metaphorical—is possible at any age. With boots laced and a heart full of determination, she’s ready to breathe in the fresh, crisp air of the Himalayas and prove that age is no barrier to embracing life’s challenges. She’s walking towards the future with passion and self-belief, tackling every step as a testament to her strength and spirit.
Our charities
At the heart of our shenanigans, we're committed to raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation. Your support could mean more than just a nudge up the Himalayas - it’ll support ground breaking research and essential services for people and families like ours.
If you’d like to support a great cause, follow our daily misadventures (pending Himalayan WiFi cooperation), and cheer us on! Here’s the link to our Just Giving pages.
Here’s a few of our training pics to get you in the mood.
Get ready for laughter, altitude-induced giggles, and probably more selfies than you bargained for. See you in the mountains! 🌄
