Inner mountains are hard to climb.

Sue Barmos

Seeing the Everest trek advertised as empowering travel for women, I thought I’d better go before I get too rickety and humourless. It was good to be free, to fill up on pure air, be inspired and walk. I adore monasteries, singing, eating momos, watching Sherpa and their pack animals tackle the days with tenacity. With the challenge of altitude, appreciating the hard lives of others was ever present.
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Project Didi helps young women who need protection from violence, sexual abuse and support to be self- determining. Climbing escarpments of fear, discrimination and repression is exhausting. Asha Nepal work tirelessly to help women who have no family support. I’m glad our donation really helps. Housemothers are kind. Solidarity and safety their strength.

Whilst Nepal’s sights and sounds are tantalising, a visual surprise around every Kathmandu corner, the real life of cultural constraints and customs makes a tattoo. Take your laundry for washing, there’s a brothel above… women with no choice. A lovely bangle is made by a family sitting on the dirt floor of their very hot hut. A beautiful carpet made by women in a shed, fibres and stale air for breath. A man selling a flute no one wants. He shouts his frustrations. Indelible memories of shrines and marigolds and at Asha house; hands inked in henna. ​

Our lady powered walking group were delightful, interesting, supportive, funny, energetic, grateful. A gang of Didis.

Ang Dami Sherpa spoke of running from Everest to Namche Bazaar. In May 2013 she was 3 months pregnant and won the women’s marathon challenge for a second time. Incredible as this feat is, she has recently lost her husband, runs a guest house, treks 4 hours to visit us, she is a gutsy gazelle and I’m in awe.  ​

The group with high altitude marathon runner, Ang Dami Sherpa, in Namche Bazaar

Inner mountains are hard to climb. There’s time to think whilst trekking, the culmination of where you are in the big human picture a recurring theme. Most days I was last walking in our happy group. ‘I’m proud of you,’ one of the youngies said.  ‘I’m proud of myself,’ I replied.     
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‘Look up,’ said our guide, ‘Our mother…sacred mountain never to be climbed,’ and a white majestic peak that protects the whole valley shone in the sun. Pristine. I love the Nepali landscape and the support for women who climb all kinds of mountains.

Sue and the group on the route to Everest Base Camp

Sue Barmos joined our November 2019 Women Empowering Women trip - and was a joy to travel with! Thanks for taking us back to the vibrancy and resilience of Nepal and its women.