Crampons, Chaos, and Confidence: What Climbing Island Peak Teaches You (Besides How to Pee in a Blizzard)

Climbing Island Peak isn’t just about the summit. It’s also about conquering fear, altitude and zippers in -20°C.

So, I Climbed a Mountain. Sort Of.

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who would say, “Let’s do Island Peak Climbing.” I used to think hiking uphill to get Wi-Fi was a big deal. But something changed. Maybe it was boredom. Maybe it was too many adventure reels on Instagram. Either way, I signed up, packed my gear, and flew to Nepal.

And wow. I had no idea what I was really getting into.

Day One: Reality Hits Like Altitude

Island Peak stands at 6,189 meters (20,305 ft). That’s higher than three Burj Khalifas stacked on top of each other. Over 10,000 people have climbed it, but that number feels much smaller when you're the one gasping for air and wondering if your fingers are still attached.

On the way up, I learned three things fast:

1. You can walk for hours and still be out of shape.

2. Noodles taste better at 5,000 meters.

3. Crampons (those spiky things on your boots) are great, until you trip over your own foot.

Lessons I Didn’t Expect to Learn

I didn’t just climb Island Peak. I grew on Island Peak. Sounds cheesy, I know. But it's true. Here’s what it taught me:

• Fear is normal. When you're roped up, standing on a narrow ridge, with wind howling like a bad horror movie, it's okay to be scared. I was shaking partly from cold, mostly from panic. But I kept moving.

• You’re stronger than you think. I’m not a pro athlete. I once got tired walking through a mall. But up there, my legs kept going, even when my brain said “Nope.”

• Laughter saves lives. Okay, maybe not literally. But when our guide made a joke about yetis while we were stuck in a snowstorm, I forgot how cold I was… for like 12 seconds.

• Altitude is a liar. It tells you you’re weak, that you can't breathe, that you need to stop. But if you go slow, drink your water, and listen to your guides, you’ll surprise yourself.

And Yes, Peeing in a Blizzard Is a Thing

Let’s be honest. this stuff matters too. Going to the toilet in freezing wind with five layers of clothes and no dignity left? That’s a true test of character. You haven’t lived until you’ve wrestled with a zipper at -20°C while hoping your butt doesn’t freeze off.

The Best Part? The People

There were others on the trail, first-timers like me, people from all over the world, all struggling, all helping each other out. One guy gave me his extra socks. Another shared chocolate at 3 a.m. before our summit push. We didn’t speak the same language, but we all knew one thing: this climb was bigger than any of us.

Would I Do It Again?

In a heartbeat. Island Peak Climbing showed me I could do hard things. I left with sore legs, sunburnt lips, and a heart full of “I actually did that.”

So if you’re sitting at home, wondering if you could ever climb a Himalayan peak, let me tell you: Yes, you can. You might cry, you might curse, and yes, your nose might freeze but you’ll never forget it.

And if you can pee in a blizzard, you can do anything.

Quick Fact Box:

• Altitude: 6,189m

• Difficulty: Moderate to tough (depends how much rice you’ve eaten)

• Best time to go: April–May, Sept–Nov

• Success rate: Around 70-75% (source: Himalayan Database)

• Most common gear issue: Crampons vs. pants — it’s always a battle.