Back when I first started dreaming about this quest to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40, I spent an age on Google getting whipped up in the excitement of rugged volcanic landscapes, bubbling lava, snow-capped cones, and wilderness and vistas as far as the eye could see. I put together a grand … Continue reading A new approach to #40by40
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Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
That moment I got up close and saw my first active erupting volcano will stick with me. I was in the Aeolian Islands, just north of Sicily, gorging myself on quite possibly the world’s best pizza, when suddenly everyone in the restaurant went wild, turning and pointing behind us. Paula, beside me, ferociously grabbed my … Continue reading Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
The motivation behind the #40by40 volcano quest
When I first embarked on my quest last year to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40, I was driven by the desire to challenge myself, push myself outside my comfort zone and find my full potential. Ultimately, I was in search of a new me, to find out who I really was and … Continue reading The motivation behind the #40by40 volcano quest
Volcano number 2: The muddy volcano
The jungle on Nevis Peak “That was your warm up. Now you climb.” Those were the words of our buff 57-year-old guide as we stood in a scraggly jungle of moss-covered trees, vines and ferns, staring at a criss-cross ladder of tree roots that ascended heavenward. We’d been walking up hill for the past 20 … Continue reading Volcano number 2: The muddy volcano
Facing negativity
Some people – namely the boyfriend – would say I have a negative mindset. I would argue I’m just realistic. But when I came up with the stupidly ambitious idea to set myself a quest of climbing 40 volcanoes by the age of 40, I think I was neither negative nor realistic. I was in … Continue reading Facing negativity
Baby steps
Here is my attempt at getting my A into G to achieve my #40by40 quest to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40. The start of a list of things to do. Apart from the fact there appears to be heaps to do (think overwhelming), this is at least progress. Have I forgotten anything? … Continue reading Baby steps
Time to stop making excuses and just start
Right now I should be getting excited about what should be an impending trip to the tropical island paradise of Tenerife, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Island archipelago off the west coast of Morocco. There, I was intending to make an ascent of volcano number two, Mt Teide, in my … Continue reading Time to stop making excuses and just start
Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker
Woohoo, I have lost my volcano virginity. First volcano climbed before the age of 40 in my #40by40 quest. Tick. Mt Vesuvius, Italy It feels good to be able to say that. It would feel even greater to say I strived against the odds to reach the summit (cue violins playing in the background). But … Continue reading Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker
Why volcanoes?
“Why volcanoes?” you may ask. It’s a fair enough question. So why indeed? Or rather, I might say, why not? For starters, volcanoes fascinate me. The sheer beauty and power they have; that ability to go from gentle sleeping giant to lava-spewing monster and destroyer, all within an instant, makes them both scary and mesmerisingly … Continue reading Why volcanoes?
The #40by40 volcano quest is on
Sure sitting in a cushy office and working the nine-to-overtime drill provides a degree of stability and routine, not to mention financial security, but there are downsides. For one, it can give rise to complacency. It’s easy to perhaps find yourself no longer challenged or you become comfortable with the situation – even if it’s … Continue reading The #40by40 volcano quest is on