Nature

Happy Mountain Monday!
µMemoir #1

Once in the Pamir-Alai mountains, I was left alone.

We were at a mountaineering training camp in the Dugoba Gorge, Kyrgyzstan. One of the stages was a tent camp set up at 3,000 m, from where we made our ascents.

After several climbs, I was exhausted and decided to skip the last one. The instructor agreed and gave me camp duties: cleaning up after breakfast, cooking dinner for team. I was happy. But not for long.

Before leaving, the guys "encouraged" me: they said snow leopards lived in the area. "If anything happens, just hide in the tent." 😱😅

Once everyone was gone, I was alone. In the middle of a white desert - just snow, tents, and silence. For an hour I didn’t dare step outside, listening to every rustle, imagining a snow leopard sneaking down the slope, and examining a spoon with great interest - as a potential weapon.

Of course, I was scared. But the snow leopard didn't deign to visit me that day. 

Since then, I never stay alone in camp.

Wow, what a thrilling mountain adventure! Your story is both scary and exciting. It's amazing how our fears can push us to be resourceful and brave. I'm glad everything turned out fine in the end. Stay safe on your future mountain expeditions!