Some adventures begin as a bucket-list trip. Others become something much deeper.
For Altitude member Willow, completing the 6-day Ausangate Trek in Peru became far more than just a high-altitude trek. Covering more than 80 kilometres and crossing multiple mountain passes above 5,000 metres, the journey pushed her physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways she never expected.
Facing discomfort, uncertainty, and challenge
Before training at Altitude, Willow had never experienced high altitude and had never attempted a trek remotely close to this scale.
“I honestly had no idea how my body or mind would cope once I got up into the mountains.”
But the motivation behind the trek ran much deeper than adventure alone.
“A big part of what inspired me to do this trek was losing my dad to lung disease where his oxygen levels consistently sat in the 50’s to 70’s, so I wanted to experience what he went through for so long.”
After losing him, Willow made a conscious decision to lean further into discomfort, uncertainty, and challenge.
“Since losing him, I’ve really tried to leap into the unknown more and become comfortable being uncomfortable. Doing something this physically and mentally challenging felt like a way of proving to myself that I’m capable of more than I think, even when things feel uncertain or scary.”
And the mountains delivered exactly that challenge.
High altitude takes it's toll
“The altitude shocked me. I knew it would be hard, but I don’t think anything could’ve fully prepared me for how uncomfortable and exhausting it feels climbing over 5,200m passes with barely any oxygen.”
Like most real mountain experiences, the trek came with moments of doubt, discomfort, and unpredictability — including one particularly memorable descent from Rainbow Mountain.
“There were definitely moments where I questioned what I’d signed myself up for… but the exposure and training sessions with you made such a difference.”
What mattered most wasn’t eliminating the difficulty. It was arriving prepared enough to face it.
“Because of the preparation, the altitude didn’t feel completely foreign or terrifying once I was actually there. I felt calmer, more aware of how my body responds, and more confident pacing myself through the hard moments.”
That confidence became one of the most important takeaways from the experience.
Conquering the unknown
“I discovered I’m probably more of a ‘beer after the hike and a pub meal’ kind of girl than a ‘suffer at 5,000m+ in the freezing cold’ sipping on soup kinda girl.”
Still, despite the suffering, exhaustion, and uncertainty, she accomplished something that once felt completely unknown.
“I’m still incredibly proud to be able to say: hey, I did that. And I can do hard things.”
That realization — more than any summit, statistic, or finish line — is what makes adventures like this meaningful.
We’re incredibly proud of Willow for embracing the unknown, committing to the process, and taking on one of the world’s most demanding trekking experiences. Congratulations on an unforgettable accomplishment and on proving to yourself just how capable you are.
Book Your Adventure Training Consult
Are you planning an expedition to Peru or another peak in the Andes? Book a complimentary consultation with an expert Altitude coach and discuss your preparation.