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.
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Download free "My Nepal Planning Kit"
This pdf is a great tool for beginning your preparation for visiting Nepal for the first time and trekking the Himalayas. It contains two pages: "The top 10 things every first-time Nepal trekker should know," and "The top 10 things every Nepal trekker should pack." Plus, by registering, you become eligible for our seasonal trekker giveaways and will receive our Weekly Trekking Tidbit, an email that provides great information about all of our destinations, trekking tips, and upcoming events. Did I mention it's all free??
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Download free "My Croatia Planning Kit"
This download is a great place to begin your preparation before departing for a life-changing adventure in this amazing country, and includes a comprehensive gear list, the top 10 things any first-time Croatian trekker should know, and culture facts about Croatia. Downloading the kit will also register you for our yearly giveaways and our Weekly Trekking Tidbit email.
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