I’m pretty sure you already missed the smell of the earth mixed with your sweat drying out on your skin, the exchange of banters between old and newfound friends, and the load of essentials you’ve miraculously survived carrying for days despite the personal excess baggage you’ve been tagging along with you.
This pandemic has put to halt all of our major climb plans – long-planned international events even for some. While many have taken refuge in exploring local destinations, we can’t deny the fact that going somewhere far and secluded still brings the excitement and challenge we’ve been craving for almost two years now.
If you’re feeling as nostalgic as I do, maybe you’ll get more inspired to check once again your hiking equipment and train once again after watching Netflix’s recent documentary release 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.
ICYMI: Here’s What You Need to Know About 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible
14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible chronicles the journey of Nepalese mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, fondly called Nims, and his quest to climb all fourteen mountains that are higher than 8,000 meters. This includes the world’s tallest Mt. Everest, renowned Mt. Annapurna, Mt. K2, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nanga Parbat, Mt. Gasherbrum I, Mt. Gasherbrum II, Mt. Broad Peak, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Cho Oyu, and Mt. Shishapangma.
This quest was first accomplished by Reinhold Messner in 1986 without the aid of supplementary oxygen. It took him 16 years to complete the task. After that, many have attempted to do the same conquest and the latest record of completion was within the span of seven years.
Nim’s goal however is not only restricted to climbing all fourteen peaks within the seven-month window but to as well emphasize the massive contribution of Nepalese mountaineers – who were more than Sherpas hired during expeditions. The documentary brings viewers into the literal ups and downs of mountaineering – not limited to physical preparation but as well as on political and social facets of mountaineering.
Inspiring Quotes from 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible that Will Inspire You to Go Back Hiking
Fear is always in you.
Mountain climbing is no fun. It is a place where you learn to cope with pain because it’s painful.
Most of us are forgetting that from the beginning of our life, we are approaching death.
Life is absurd. But you fill it with ideas, with enthusiasm, with joy.
When the pain is forcing you to go down, you keep going up.
You have to ask yourself ‘do you really want this from your heart?’ Is it for the glory? Or is it for something bigger?
Nothing goes as planned in the mountains.
Sometimes, the idea that you come up with may seem impossible to the rest of the world. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you.
Don’t be afraid to dream big. Doesn’t matter where you come from.
The mountain does not say you are black, you are white, you are weak, you are strong. It’s one rule for everybody: if you give up, you die.
You only got one life. live it.
Don’t listen to others. Sometimes, you need to take risks to make things happen.
When you are in the mountains, you find out who you really are.
Focus on making your dreams come true.
14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible will not only bring back the memories and lessons learned from going on major hikes. It will also reawaken that spirit of adventure that has been long put to sleep because of this pandemic.
I hope we can all go back on trails soon. Probably a major climb next year wouldn’t hurt? And if it’s not too much to ask, an international climb perhaps? Hopefully. In time.
Dakilanglaagan 