Solo to the Summit: My Phulchoki Journey

Last week, I decided to push myself a little further.

After completing Jamacho in strong time earlier, I wanted something bigger. So I chose Phulchoki Hill — the highest hill around Kathmandu Valley at 2,782 meters.

This time, I went solo.

The Climb: Steady, Focused, Controlled

I started early and avoided shortcuts I wasn’t sure about. I’ve learned something important in hiking — discipline beats ego. Especially when alone.

The uphill took me 3.5 hours, with only two short breaks (10 minutes and 5 minutes). No major stops. Just steady breathing, steady steps.

I fueled smart:

• One Chocopie early in the hike
• One at the start of downhill
• Oreos in intervals
• Chatpate and noodles at the top
• Small sips of water regularly
• 
  

Not perfect nutrition, but I didn’t crash during the climb.

The last 1 km was steep — but manageable. No drama. No suffering. Just focus.

The Mental Test: The “Never Ending” Downhill

The downhill took around 2 hours.

And I’ll be honest — the last 30 minutes felt mentally endless.

You know that feeling:

“Why is this road not finishing?”

It wasn’t pain. It was fatigue + repetition + brain boredom.

But I pushed through calmly.

That moment taught me something important:
Endurance is more mental than physical.

Unexpected Bonus: Conversations in the Forest

One of the best parts of solo hiking is freedom to connect.

Near Phulchoki Pokhari, I met a group of wildlife photographers capturing birds. Instead of just passing by, I initiated conversation.

We talked about:

• Bird species in the area
• Their camera gear
• Best seasons for photography

We exchanged names and social platforms.

That’s something I’ve started doing intentionally — talking to strangers on hikes. It keeps me engaged, builds social confidence, and expands my circle with interesting people.

Hiking is no longer just physical for me.
It’s social growth too.

The Real Lesson: Recovery Matters

After finishing the hike, I rode my bike from Godawari to Pashupati.

That’s when I realized something important.

After about 5 km of riding, I suddenly felt:

• Heavy fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Low focus
• 
  

That was not normal tiredness. That was post-exertion energy drop.

I pulled over, took a 5-minute break, reset, and then continued safely home.

Lesson learned:
Reaching the summit isn’t the end. Recovery is part of the hike.

Next time:

• Proper electrolyte
• Banana after summit
• 10–15 minutes full rest before riding
• 
  

Physical Confidence = Professional Confidence

I’ve realized something powerful:
When I feel physically strong,
I stand straighter.
I speak more clearly.
I initiate conversations more easily.
I carry myself differently.

Hiking solo, talking to strangers, pushing endurance — it’s shaping me beyond the trail.

Small Discomforts, Big Progress

After the hike:

• Mild hip joint soreness

These small discomforts feel like badges — signs that I pushed myself but didn’t break myself.

The Best Part?

After finishing everything, I didn’t feel:

“I’m dead.”

I felt:

“When is the next hike?”

That’s when I knew something shifted.

I’m not hiking just to complete trails anymore.

I’m hiking to become better than yesterday —
Physically.
Mentally.
Socially.

Next target: Shivapuri.

But not rushing.

One hike per week.
Build steadily.
Grow consistently.

Because the real summit isn’t the hill.

It’s the person I’m becoming along the way.