Our “Featured Hobnailers” series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Christanne Kurtz of San Diego, California. Christanne is tackling Nepal’s Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes Extension, April 14 – May 3, 2025.
Q: Where do you live? What is your occupation?
A: I live in San Diego (I am a fifth generation San Diegan). I have been a nurse for 25 years and a nurse practitioner for 7 years. I have spent the entirety of my career at the University of California San Diego, working in Cardiology. I also have a degree in psychology, and before I went back to school for my nursing degree, I worked with abused children.
Q: How and when did you get into adventure travel? Where was your first out-of-country adventure?
A: I have honestly never been an adventurous traveler. Aside from annual trips to different parts of Mexico with some of my nursing friends (Mexico City was my favorite to date), the only other international travel I have done was when I was in high school. We went to Spain and Tangiers. Sadly, I had terrible jet lag and spent a lot of the trip asleep. There are many places I would love to travel but, to be honest, having Celiac Disease has sort of given me anxiety about traveling out of the country.
Q: How did you discover Hobnail Trekking?
A: After breaking my hip during a marathon (stress fracture…I don’t recommend it!), I decided I needed a new goal that didn’t involve running. I’ve always enjoyed hiking. The quiet solitude of being on a trail in the mountains settles my soul. I decided I would climb Mt. Whitney, and spent two years climbing peaks all over California in preparation. I summited Mt. Whitney in October 2022. After that I backpacked 130 miles around Lake Tahoe and climbed a few peaks in Colorado. In my search for a new goal, one of my coworkers suggested I do Everest Base Camp. My research brought me to this little gem of a book, “Doofus Dad Does EBC,” by Mark Johnson. The book was hilarious, insightful, and relatable. At the end of the book, Mark talked about starting a trekking company… and here we are!
Q: Have you ever been to Nepal? Why did you choose the Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes Extension trip?
A: I have never been to Nepal. I chose the EBC + Gokyo trek because I am fascinated by alpine lakes above 10,000 ft. They are hidden gems, and I knew I would I sincerely regret not adding the extra three days.
Q: What are you most excited about regarding this trip?
A: I don’t know if I have a good answer to this. I think I am probably more terrified (being the introvert that I am) than excited. This is completely out of my comfort zone, but If I had to pick something it would likely be the journey itself through some of God’s most beautiful creations.
Q: What other destinations are on your bucket list for adventure travel?
A: I love castles, ghost towns, and old cemeteries. I have always wanted to tour the castles in Scotland. I have considered doing the entirety of the Camino de Santiago trail. I think my next mountain will be Kilimanjaro (provided EBC doesn’t kill me ).
Everest Base Camp with the Gokyo Lakes Extension is a guided, 20-day, immersive trekking experience into the world’s most iconic mountain range, the Himalayas. The modern trail to EBC is nearly identical to the route taken by lengendary mountaineers George Mallory, Tenzing Norgay, and Sir Edmund Hillary. Not only will you trace the footsteps of history’s greatest adventurers, you will also reach altitudes of nearly 18,000 feet! See the details HERE.
Written by Hobnail owner Mark Johnson, our Weekly Trekking Tidbits email provides valuable insight into destination villages, cultures, food, and history, as well as tips on trekking, hiking, and general travel. Mark will also let you know about any upcoming specials and new destinations. By subscribing, you will automatically become eligible for our seasonal trekker giveaways.
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