"Five women express the liberation they feel through hiking and its positive impact on their mental well-being"
Headline: Adventurers Conquer Everest Base, Transform Lives Through Walking
In March 2023, a group of 22 adventurers embarked on a journey to Everest Base, a challenging trek that culminated in success, with every member reaching base safely. The expedition not only marked a physical achievement but also raised an impressive £125k for charity.
One of the participants, Stacey Kirkpatrick, found the experience life-changing. Not only did it make her the fittest she's ever been, but it also enriched her mind and soul. Kirkpatrick, the head of income and engagement at Reuben's Retreat, had previously climbed Kilimanjaro in 2015 in memory of her mum and undertook the Everest Base trek as a fundraising endeavour.
Another participant, Kate Gilliver, a Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University, found solace and transformation in hillwalking. After an accident in the Scottish Highlands, she became a Mountain Rescue volunteer. Gilliver now serves as a Party Leader and Search Manager, leading team members on operations and training one night each week and one Sunday a month.
Walking has been found to have numerous health benefits. Regular walking reduces cortisol levels, alleviates stress, and increases the production of serotonin and dopamine, which help boost mood and focus. Within the first five minutes of being outside, people experience measurable improvements in mood.
Kate Galloway, a former social care worker, left her job to become a full-time author, inspired by the benefits she experienced from walking. She walks for at least 30 minutes every day and goes on longer hikes in the countryside at least a couple of times a month. Galloway's third book, Wild Swimming, about hiking in the Scottish Highlands, is now available.
Tracey Howe, following the death of her wife, has embarked on an epic challenge to walk around the coast of mainland Britain. Howe is walking 20 miles a day, six days a week, and has walked 650 miles so far in her journey. The funds raised will go towards cancer charities.
Asha Korsa-Acquah, despite initial reservations, joined a group hike in her 50s and has since lost two stone and become much stronger. Her proudest achievement was completing a 26-mile walk across London through the night and climbing up Snowdon.
Dr Suzanne Hackenmiller, the chief medical advisor at AllTrails, states that walking improves cardiovascular health, enhances lung capacity, and strengthens muscles. Hackenmiller's advice echoes that of Gilliver, who finds hillwalking transformative for her mental health and physical fitness, and believes it has positively impacted her professional life as well.
Despite not being explicitly named in the provided search results, a woman is planning to walk around the coast of the British mainland between 2024 and 2025 to challenge herself, cope with the death of her partner, and raise money for cancer charities.
Whether it's scaling Everest Base, walking around the British coast, or simply taking a stroll in the park, the transformative power of walking is undeniable. It's a journey that can change lives, both physically and mentally.
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