“How do you define strength?” My best friend, of a decade, asked. “Strength comes from knowing your limits but pushing yourself to the edge of those limits.” I offer. Sarah is that friend that forces you to reexamine your life goals each time you speak. Days earlier we met in Kyrgyzstan, the “Patagonia of central Asia”, a rugged, mountainous country of nomadic peoples, known for its natural beauty. In the extensive mountains and scenic valleys, horses roam wild. Yurts stand among un-manicured cherry, and apple orchards and “Candyland” domed mosques peak out behind painted wooden fences. We set our sights on a horse trek, after all, horses were first tamed on the plains of central Asia; followed by a climb to the emerald, lake Ala-Kul. Tucked just in front of the Tien Shan Mountains, Ala-Kul, sits at 4000 meters and is only reachable for the most active pursuers with extreme hiking from nearby Karakol, via Altyn Arashan (yurt camp) and straight up Aka-Kul pass. We took “the world’s most un-navigable road” in a 1970s Soviet bus with reinforced tires to Arashan. We had no idea what was in store for us when we hopped into that small VW-like bus. Had we known - I do not think there was a chance we would have started the journey. We rose before the sun in the still air, ate sweet apricots and homemade jams with kaymak (cream), and boortsog (fried dough) with excitement for breakfast. But it seemed like we were destined not to make it to Ala-Kul. Ten minutes into the drive, our bus broke down, we discovered an old Soviet military truck willing to pull-start our bus back on the road. Over rock fields, boulders, and small ponds on this road that should be a trail for horses; our minibus shook, and jerked, up and down, side to side quite literally tilting parallel to the river. We held onto the seats and the ceiling, white knuckling, pressing our feet into any crevice to brace ourselves for the intense movements yet to come. “How many buses have tumbled off this road?” We anxiously wondered, certain we were next. Our driver, Jenia, was a master of manual transmission and managed to use a wrench to steady the gears during the most turbulent segments of the drive with a grin. “Spasibo!” We gratefully cheered, when we finally arrived in Arashan. By noon, we were saddled up, holding leather whips resembling dream catchers, in anticipation, the horses leapt into motion. We trotted six miles through evergreen forests, across rocky creeks, over meadows dotted with aster, and sprinkled with anemones. We cantered alongside playful wild horses, grazing cows, and chirping marmots. We dismounted at Alakul pass basecamp. Happily, we ate salted butterbeans, almonds, and golden raisins by the handful, from the bustling Ash bazaar in Bishkek. Then we set out for our destination. Alakul was laden with crumbling rocks and tiny strawberry plants. We looked up at a vertical incline to the summit. Tiny figures slowly ascended the short, steep, crumbling switchbacks ahead. We caught our breath and began the one-vertical-mile climb to the top. Sliding down a few inches with each step up. It was mid-afternoon, the sun reflected brightly on the snowy mountainside, melting a layer of snow into coarse slippery gravel-like rocks, and causing us to slide further down with each intense step. This must be what quicksand feels like. I assumed. Dark ominous storm clouds were forming in Arashan valley, and doubt that we could beat the rains was growing. I hope we ascend before the clouds destroy our view. I yearned. Every few meters we stopped to catch our shallow breath and to celebrate any progress. “One-third of the way!” – “Halfway!” We cheered! – “Only 100 meters to go!“ And then, we summited, high-fived, and bear-hugged to applaud a remarkable journey, and a view of the turquoise, glacial Ala-Kul Lake! We walked another 15 meters to a 360-degree view of Karakol peak, the surrounding glaciers, and the snowcapped mountains of the Tien Shan range looking to southern Kyrgyzstan and beyond into China. At the end of the road, we could not have imagined a better undertaking amid the picturesque Kyrgyzstan Mountains.