Annapurna Hardcore — Part 7: Base Camp, Breakthroughs & The Way Back
Reaching Annapurna Base Camp, emotional highs, snow-covered peaks, and the long descent back through the Himalayas — the defining moment of the trek.
Author: Gabiba
Hi, I'm Gabiba! Runner, hiker, and blogger based in Cape Town.
Welcome to my outdoor adventures!
Follow me for hiking, trail running, and road running inspiration and tips. I'm afraid of heights, and never thought I'd see Mt Everest or bungee jump, yet here I am!
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10 Posts
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 6: The Long Climb to Deurali (Where Things Get Real)
A tough day on the Annapurna Base Camp trek — trekking from Lower Sinuwa to Deurali, relentless climbs, altitude realities, teahouse life, and the moment the trek turns serious.
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 5: When the Mountain Decides (Farewells, Forests & Finding Our Rhythm)
Trekking from Chuile to Lower Sinuwa on the Annapurna Base Camp trek — a day of tough decisions, altitude awareness, bamboo forests, wildlife encounters, and the emotional reality of mountain…
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 4: Poon Hill Sunrise, Hard Decisions & The Road to Chuile
A powerful day on the Annapurna Base Camp trek — pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill, an emotional sunrise over Annapurna, and tough decisions as the trek continues toward Chuile.
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 3: The Trek Begins (From Kathmandu to Ghorepani)
After everything it took just to reach Nepal, you would think the universe might grant us a gentle start. In fairness… it tried. Part 1 Part 2 Kathmandu to…
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 2: The Airport Olympics (How We Finally Got to Nepal)
For part 1 go here. We arrived at Cape Town International four hours early, convinced the biggest threat to our Annapurna trek was being bumped off the flight. …
Annapurna Hardcore — Part 1: Flight Chaos Before the Trek (How Getting to Nepal Became the First Challenge)
Every great adventure begins with excitement, anticipation… and apparently, a complete collapse of the global flight system. There is a war going on after all. Our Annapurna trek hasn’t…
Silvermine Dam Loop (Gate 1) – An Easy Autumn Walk In Cape Town
The beauty of the Silvermine dam walk lies in its simplicity. Wide gravel paths curve gently around still water, offering expansive views without demanding effort. It’s one of the reasons…
13 Peaks Challenge: Our 2026 Journey Begins (Signal Hill to Lion’s Head)
The original 13 Peaks Challenge Cape Town is one of South Africa’s toughest hiking achievements. Participants must summit thirteen iconic peaks in the Table Mountain National Park in a single…
Rockhopper Trail Bainskloof: A Guide to Finding the Hidden Waterfall (Or not!)
Planning to hike the Rockhopper Trail in Bainskloof? This complete guide explains how to find the hidden waterfall, what to expect on the trail, and tips for navigating this adventurous…