Seven Summits

We grew up in a German town tucked in the dark forests of the Bavarian Alps. I suspect trekking is in my blood. My parents dutifully marched all seven of us Marx kids in the weekly turnverein, dressed smartly in our lederhosen. Even at young ages it was not unusual for us to complete weekly 18K treks with nothing more than a traditional wanderstock. ?On holidays we would complete 50K treks where you finish in a chute, handed a medallion, as if we completed a marathon. Which of course we did. And then some.

I have been trekking, one way or another, ever since. In recent years, most often with Simran at my side, I completed Camino de Santiago, the forbidden trail to Machu Picchu, river rappels in the rain forest and advanced trails around our second home in the Himalayan foothills. Other than the forced marches as a combat soldier, I am most alive amongst the rocks, in wanderlust.

A few years back I began a quest for the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent. In between I summited numerous peaks around the world of various technical difficulties. Ice climbing in Iceland, rock climbing in Korea, reconnoitering in Portugal and rappelling in Puerto Rico.

On March 21st I will attempt my Fifth of the Seven Summits. Mt. Kosciuszko is the highest peak in Australia. It happens to be the easiest of all the peaks. It is essentially a day hike from the “base camp”. A typical climbing village that sits off its base. Even though the trek is simple, I am pretty much like Frau Maria in the Sound of Music. I go to the hills when I am lonely. My heart wants to beat like the wings of a birds that rise from the lakes to the trees. My heart wants to sigh Like a chime that flies from a church on a breeze. To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over stones on its way. To sing through the night, like a lark who is learning to pray.

Several years back I had a chance for Everest and Vinson Massif. Arguably the two most challenging of the Seven. When I watch documentaries or read books of explorers exploits up these majestic peaks, I am pulled ever so close to organizing an expedition. I know my time to climb runs fast from me, but I still think about it. Perhaps after Kosciuszko, I will hang up my crampons once and for all. And dream with Simran, staring at mountains from the fireside.

There are few things like trekking or climbing to help you build resilience. Storms, equipment failures, sickness etc will pop up and surprise you. You learn how to deal with situations, control emotions and figure out a way to succeed. On Aconcagua I was plagued with high altitude pulmonary edema. Despite medical best efforts and medicine (viagra!), I was drowning as liquid overtook my lungs. I had to leave my team and hitch a ride on a helicopter. But I tried.

There are few things like trekking or climbing that teach you teamwork and leadership. So many times every member was tempted to quit but someone on the team reached out and saved them. Or times when you think you are leading well and you look behind you and your team is nowhere to be seen. You learn how to lead from the middle and the back, not always out front. So many lessons!