Fitness
Nirmal Purja on Conquering the World’s 14 Tallest Peaks
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
Nirmal Purja, better known as Nims, first conquered Everest while on “vacation” from his position in the British special forces. Growing up in Nepal, the iconic mountain was virtually in his backyard, yet it wasn’t until he’d already achieved his military aspirations that he set his sights on climbing greatness.
“Because of what I did and where I came from, people just assumed I’d climbed every mountain in my country,” Nirmal Purja tells Men’s Journal. But instead of climbing peaks, he’d spent his youth pushing the limits of his physical capacity, earning a place with the famed Nepalese Gurkhas soldiers. From there, he became the first Gurkha to be selected for the Special Boat Service, where he ran cold-weather warfare operations within their mountain cell. “I loved my job, but I had leave built up and rather than spending it on a beach, I decided to go into the Himalayas.”
It was there that Purja found his next calling and a supernatural inclination for extreme mountaineering. Purja left the SBS to pursue his goal of climbing all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, which he accomplished in a record six months and six days. The mission was eventually named Project Possible, and director Torquil Jones used footage from the expeditions to make the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
We spoke with Purja about his military career, the challenges of this epic task, and how he makes seemingly unfathomable feats possible.
Men’s Journal: What drove you to join the Gurkhas?
Nirmal Purja: My father was a Gurkha, as well as my brothers, and I appreciated the attitude I saw coming from them after they joined. The Gurkhas go through a huge selection process with thousands trying to get in, and only 25 people make it at a time. People come from all of the villages around Nepal to be part of it. I wanted to be one from the time I was a kid, and I would train hard early in the mornings, running like 25 kilometers before everyone else woke up. I felt a lot of pride when I got in, but I didn’t want to stop there, I wanted to join the special forces and become the first Gurkha in the Special Boat Service.
What did you end up doing in the SBS?
I was head of the Cold Weather Warfare unit within the Special Boat Service. My job was to do extreme climbs, learn about new technology, and create new ideas on how to operate in those conditions. I was then tasked with teaching those skills to the troops that would be sent into the mountains. The job had taken me everywhere, doing sensitive missions in all kinds of terrain.
How did you get into mountaineering?
I didn’t climb my first real mountain until I was an adult. Because of what I do now and where I was born, people assume I was raised in high altitude. That was not the case though, I grew up in the most flat part of the country, at about 500 meters. I had never tried anything like that before. I had to convince my sherpa to let me try Ama Dablam. When I first mentioned it he laughed because lots of people who’ve climbed Everest have given up on that mountain.
Speaking of Everest, I’m guessing that mountain always called to you growing up in Nepal.
I was asked about Everest a lot when I was in the special forces, people assumed because I was born in Nepal I had climbed it already. But I hadn’t, so it was on my list. I had four weeks of leave and I didn’t feel like a beach vacation. I convinced my wife to let me climb Everest. I emptied my savings and took out a loan so I could afford to make the trip. I wanted to do it solo and I pushed myself too hard. I was carrying too much gear and got altitude sickness. I meditated to the point where I was feeling better, but didn’t make it up, because I got involved with a rescue. There was a climber who got left behind by the rest of her team. I decided I would rescue her on my own. It took me 90 minutes to take her down to Camp IV. I went back and summited Everest, and four days later I was back in operations, kicking in doors.
Climbing mountains like this is a huge undertaking. How difficult was it to balance that with your active military career?
That was difficult, as was getting permission to do the climbs, because command saw it as a needless risk for someone in their force. I loved my work, but I still wanted to do more. I had a lot of days of leave built up. I decided to go to my command and tell them I wanted to use this time off to climb the five highest mountains in the world. I wanted to do all of them in less than two months. But I couldn’t get the clearance from my special forces command, because they thought it was crazy and too dangerous.
They were aware people die making attempts like this, and they didn’t want to be responsible for that happening to me. Their decision was to not allow me to leave, and that put me in a difficult situation. I’d already served 16 years in the British military and I only had to put in six more years to get my full pension. That’s a big deal for us who’ve put the time in. But that didn’t stop me. I wasn’t really motivated by the fiscal elements of the job, never was. So I decided to leave.
Once you decided to leave the special forces, how did the 14 Peaks project evolve into its present state?
I couldn’t get this idea out of my mind, and it kept growing. It became conquering 14 different 8,000-meter peaks within seven months. Those numbers, back to back, felt right to me. I named it “Project Possible” because so many people around me were saying it wasn’t going to be. I don’t blame them, because it wasn’t just impossible at the time, it was beyond most people’s imaginations. I saw something in myself around that time though, that made me think I’d be able to accomplish it. And once I did, there was this need that I had to see it through.
How did you start?
The first mountain we did, Annapurna, was a bit of a selection process for my team. Mingma Sherpa is someone I’ve trusted for a while, and got to know through his uncle, who helped me a lot. I’ve done a few things in this life where I was driven by doing right by the people who helped me get where I am. The Sherpa brothers are legends and have always been in my heart. I couldn’t let any of these people down.
What was the hardest part about accomplishing this epic feat?
The real problem I had was raising the funding and finding support for the trip while it was happening. Climbing the mountains was always the part I looked forward to, but I was working on everything else at the same time, using my social media to drum up attention and support for our team. That was all on top of running the crew and making sure we were going to be prepared for that next mountain. Not to mention shooting the content and footage we were going to use for the documentary.
I have to imagine accomplishing these climbs in such close proximity was also very physically taxing.
I had the physical ability I needed because of my past with the Gurhkas and Special Boat Service. Your fitness has to be in the pocket to do these kinds of feats. Serving in the special forces, you’re required to be incredibly fit. From the beginning, you’re doing drills where you’re carrying 75 pounds while on the move. Every day you’re running up and down the hills of Britain—all over the Black Mountains. You’re running for 30 kilometers every single day, for 30 days. At the end, you go for the endurance test where you’re carrying around 80 pounds, then you go for a 70 kilometer speed march.
What did you learn about your body and physical limits?
There’s so much going on, from avalanches to challenging weather, but it’s about more than having the strength. The first few days it’s about whether or not you have the fitness, but after that it’s about whether you’re able to put one foot in front of the other. That’s when it becomes imperative for you to have a bigger purpose, a reason you’re willing to put that punishment on your body. I get energy from the mission, and the purpose I’ve found in life. Sure it was a physical challenge, but more than that it was a huge mental challenge, and that’s what gets tested during training. That’s what you need out there in the mountains too.
What were some of the biggest risks you had to take?
I’d given up everything for this project. I gave up my job, my pension, remortgaged my house. I vividly remember the rescue in Annapurna, because it was the first part of the mission. By stopping to try to save these climbers, we put everything in jeopardy, but I’d never left anyone behind while I was in the Gurkhas or in the special forces, and I wasn’t about to do it in the mountains either. The morale of the team that was ahead at Dhaulagiri got pretty low, because they were stuck waiting for us. But it couldn’t be helped.
How about the biggest challenge?
Kangchenjunga was the most challenging. I hadn’t slept for six days. I came into basecamp hungover, and made the summit push. On the way down from that attempt, we came across other climbers who needed rescue. We gave up my oxygen to help them. It was Mingma David Sherpa, Gesman Tamang, and myself. We did everything we could to try to help, and we still lost people. Coming off of oxygen at that altitude, which was 8,450 meters, is not easy, even for professionals. Some call it suicidal. Not only were we trying to accomplish this so-called impossible mission, but we were running into situations like rescues that we couldn’t help but put everything on pause for.
I respect your ability to party at basecamp and still be able to break climbing records the next day. How or when do you recover?
I remember waking up at K2… I partied so hard the night before and had no sleep at all. I went for the summit push where 95 percent of the people who tried had given up. I got back down to camp, partied again, then hit the summit of Broad Peak. I am the recovery bro. I think they should send all the scientists in the world, from NASA or wherever, to come and study how we’re able to party then summit like we do.
Do you think having those moments of decompression helps the team when it comes to the climbs?
I’m the leader, but I learned in the special forces you have to be a team member first. And you should know what it’s like to be on the ground, before you’re trying to command the teams on the ground. It’s in those moments, around the fire or sharing a drink at camp, where you learn the true intel—what’s going on with your team members, the struggles they’re having, along with their strengths and weaknesses.
What’s your drink of choice?
Give me a glass of whiskey, whatever’s around. I’m not picky.
Did you have the chance to savor any of the summits along the way?
I accepted this challenge as a mission, as I would accept any military mission. If I took one day longer, I would have needed to do it again. That meant I couldn’t really celebrate getting over one mountain or the next. There was no time for those kinds of moments of victory. Once I was standing on the top of the mountain, my mind would be on the next attempt. I’m already thinking of what the weather is going to be, what kind of reports I’m going to hear, and how to get our supplies. I can remember what it felt like at the end of the 14 peaks though, and the first thing I did when I finished was call my mother.
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One of the World’s Rarest Sakes Just Released for $3,100
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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