Trek.

The word "trek" has Dutch roots and has become synonymous with long, arduous journeys, often through challenging terrain. Now that sounds a lot like how I would describe myself, and most of my beautiful, troubled life!

Being South African, born and raised in a staunch Afrikaner home, school and church, I started life with a healthy portion of Dutch in my DNA, and had no choice but to become a self-proclaimed ‘Trekkie’. And not to be confused with the Star Trek super-fan Sci-fi version of course. This is an altogether different kind of Trekkie. For me it means being from hardy ‘Boer’ stock, being determined and pioneering and resilient.

Originally derived from the Dutch verb "trekken," meaning "to pull, travel, or migrate," the word trek found its way into English in the mid-19th century. It gained prominence during the Great Trek of 1835-1846, when Boer settlers in South Africa embarked on a mass migration inland. Mainly in rebellion against the policies of the ruling British at the time, and in search of fresh pasturelands.

I think (I hope) I’ve made my ancestors proud by becoming something of a committed trekker in modern times. Hike. Walk. Ramble. Climb. Explore. Wander. Trek. I love being outdoors, preferably in mountains or on coastlines, finding paths and making paths. Mapping and meandering.

My trekking spirit has taken me to Gokyo Ri in Nepal, a 5,357 m (17,575 ft)-high peak in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas, and situated just higher than Basecamp. Most recently it’s taken me to the much lower but magnificent top of Ben Nevis in Scotland at 1,345m (4,413 ft).

But a trek is not just a trip. For me it’s always felt like home - a peaceful, nurturing place, where I both hide and find myself. And all hidden in a four-letter word. Trek captures the essence of pushing one's mental and physical limits, it says ‘adventure’ and ‘journey’ and ‘endeavour’.

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