After weeks of high-altitude simplicity on the Manaslu Circuit, Borghild returns to Kathmandu and feels the city rhythm rush back in. She calls it everyday altitude: not thin air, but the invisible pressure of noise, decisions, and constant input that can keep the nervous system switched on.

Through steady kora walks in Boudha and trail runs up Pulchowki and Shivapuri, this poetic, yet practical episode exploreshow the body’s subtle signals can guide the the way forward: when to rest, when to move, and how to protect the fragile spark of what’s next. It’s a story of how clarity returns through rhythm, not force, especially when the mind feels overloaded.In This Episode we explore

Everyday altitude: how city pressure impacts the nervous system.

Rhythm as recovery: why healing can come through repetition not retreat.

Boudha as an anchor: the power of familiarity and regulation.

Signal → Step → Support: a clear framework for following aligned energy.

Trail running as meditation: presence, endurance, and trust.

Emotional acclimatisation: the “aftershock” of guilt and the courage to speak up.

Listening as protection: letting the body lead even when the mind second guesses.

A gentle “no”: respecting your energy, and saying no without shame.

Journal Prompt:What is your body asking for right now?What would it look like to follow that — gently — without pressure or force?Optional follow-up:

• What’s the signal (ease, tension, readiness, dread, curiosity)?
• What’s one step you can take without overcommitting?
• What support would make that step feel resourced?

Mentioned in This Episode

• Boudha Stupa, Kathmandu
• Pulchowki Peak (2765m)
• Shivapuri Peak (2730m)
• Trailmandu
• Manaslu Circuit Trek (Episodes 4–6)

In the Next Episode

We begin The Himalayan Diary. A new series unfolding from Borghild’s solo mountain retreat in Mustang, easing into solitude, altitude, and a rhythm entirely her own.

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