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Fear of heights vs Himalayas Fear of heights vs Himalayas
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  • 3 Post By backofbeyond
  • 1 Post By brclarke

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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2016
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Fear of heights vs Himalayas
Hi Everyone,

I am planning a trip to the himalayas to ride up to Base Camp on an Enfield. I have a healthy fear of heights at the moment and am committed to seeing this through. It has been a personal goal for quite a while now and this year turning 50 has had me position my partner and I to do it. My partner is indian and she used to trek up the Himalayas frequently.

I suppose I'm writing this to see if anyone else has conquered their fear of heights while travelling? It is a very limiting fear to have and I am going to hopefully break it wide open and rid myself of it altogether.

Am I scared? Yes - I've watched the youtube videos and had my palms sweat just sitting in my lounge room

I would really appreciate any discussion with people who have overcome things while travelling to give some hope that all will be ok. I've been riding motorcycles for many years and am a confident rider. My partner will be pillion.

Thanks!
Peter
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  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2016
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I dont think you can ride to base camp..., its a 3 day hike up a goat track with lots of stairs.
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  #3  
Old 1 Mar 2016
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Do your home work anything is possible. All the best.

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  #4  
Old 1 Mar 2016
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You don't have go all the way to the Himalayas to find roads that'll bring out the fear factor. Have you tried riding some closer to home to find out how you react?

My wife has a similar reaction and a number of times in the Alps she's stopped and refused to go further so I've had to take over. Once, on a solo day trip, she had to phone me to come and drive the car as she was petrified. She knows it's irrational but that doesn't help. If you react like that you could be in trouble.

If your reaction is milder - sweaty palms, heart rate, sense of doom etc you could be ok but it's when it becomes total paralysis that it'll be trip limiting. I don't have much faith personally in desensitising treatments like hypnosis but it might be worth seeing if any other methods have a reasonable track record. Otherwise get some passes in on the bike and see where your limits lie.

Good luck with it - and the trip.
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Old 1 Mar 2016
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Where are you now Peter. Lots of countries have some fairly hairy roads so you might be able to do some local preparation.

I guess if you are climbing stairs and walkways, paralysis just means holding on for grim life, but riding a bike at speed is quite a different situation.

Maybe get your partner experienced riding the bike.
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  #6  
Old 4 May 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by footloosedev View Post
Btw, I am a full-time travel blogger and YouTuber and I have been travelling the lengths and breadths of India since 2016. I have also travelled to over 30 countries so you can trust my words lol.
"Trust me I'm a blogger" - I'll add that to my list of trustworthy occupations

You'll be in good company alongside politicians, 'dealers' (antique I think, but could be any sort), estate agents, journalists, 'traders' (as in "trust a trader"), holiday reps, gamblers, lawyers, 'experts' and a girlfriend from way back. All trustworthy to a fault.
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  #7  
Old 5 May 2021
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Everest Base Camp
Quote:
Originally Posted by familyhack View Post
I dont think you can ride to base camp..., its a 3 day hike up a goat track with lots of stairs.
There is one base camp on the north side, in Tibet.
One on the South side in Nepal.

To the South one. there is no road.
But to the North one there is. That one you can drive to.

To be even more detailed.
There are two base camps in Tibet.
One for climbers. Where tourists can't go
One for tourists.

Nomadknight is one example of organizers of tours. Starting in Nepal
https://www.nomadicknights.com/rode-to-everest/

Asiabiketours is another. Starting Lhasa
https://www.asiabiketours.com/tibet-...t-everest.html


Since it is China, you can't go by yourself.
Only organized tours are permitted.
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Old 5 May 2021
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Question
Maybe I'm just a dummy, but how would visiting the Himalayans be different from visiting any mountains..?

I find that if I'm standing where I can actually fall off a cliff or ledge, I get sweaty palms and almost an electrical tingling in my scalp and spine. I take a few steps back and that goes away.

I would just do a few practice runs. Is there a mountain area near where you live now that you can do some riding and whatnot in..?

In the Himalayans I would be worried more about altitude sickness. If you live somewhere flat, it might be a good idea to visit a nearer high altitude to see how much the thin air bothers you.
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  #9  
Old 5 May 2021
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Place to train
Not with bike.
But walking....

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news...portugal/59567

Myself have fear of heights. But the worst is at 5-25 meters.
Roof of normal villas and...
When it gets higher, you loose the sence of height. The fear is gone.
And replaced with wow feeling of the view.
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