The hardest thing we have ever done (60% don’t make it) - EP 82

A summit above 6000m (almot 20.000 feet), climbing ice walls, heavy bags and learning how to put on crampons: this week it is the hardest physical challenge of our lives.
Last week we entered Bolivia. Immediately we went into the Cordillera Real to practice hiking at high elevation. There was a reason to that. We had to get acclimatised for our next challenge. Indeed this week we attempt to climb Huayna Potosi. A summit above 6000m, located right next to the capital city of Bolivia: La Paz.
Everyone its physical ability. In our case, although the hike itself does not present a major difficulty, we cannot anticipate how the elevation will play on our capacity to make it to the summit, nor do we know if we are going to master the crampons and ice axe necessary for the climb.
We hope you enjoy the climb, and untill next week, take care!
Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to be sure you continue to travels around the world with us!
Nick & Mathilde
Music from: Epidemic Sound
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Join us as we travel the world on an expedition throughout the 7 continents, meeting new people, exploring cultures, traditions and making friends along the way.
We are traveling in our Land Rover Defender 110 which is our full time home for the next 3 years as we explore this beautiful planet.
Going from one meridian to another. 🔄
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@NextMeridian.Expedition

[@TheJTownPress]

How do y’all not have like triple the subs?!?!? It boggles my mind! I really enjoy watching your videos!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

what matters if that we have the good subscribers!!!! hahahah ;)

[@TheJTownPress]

@@NextMeridianExpeditionthis is very true!! Look forward to your next adventure!! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@adapa22]

Just preparing for the Glaciers in Chile and Argentina! Great job!!! And congratulations to the doctors who fixed Nick’s knee in Mexico ☺ 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

hahahah true that ;)

[@Badfinger7761]

Amazing! Incredible work filming all of this -- that part wouldn’t be easy as well. Bravo to everyone involved in this climb. ❤

[@cobbe.l]

Came here to say exactly the same thing.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you! yes we have to say we did not do a great job toward the end... the priority was getting up there hahahah

[@Badfinger7761]

@@NextMeridianExpedition No worries it was all good! 👍

[@johndiaz7240]

Thank you for taking the extra effort and filming your climb. We are so proud of you two.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Our pleasure! Thank you for travelling with us

[@ianmatlock1]

What a wonderfully multinational team. As a former mountaineer, well done guys.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you !!!

[@llabad27]

Congratulations conquerors!Thanks God for reaching the summit safely!I admire you both for determination and willingness!Thank you for tagging us alone on your way up!!🙏🙌🙌👏👏

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much for travelling along with us!!!

[@themissdior1235]

My goodness what a climb. Well done to you both. 💕

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!!!

[@stuartrollings602]

Howdy Albies! So proud of your resilience and summit while documenting your journey! That view from the top was like you were in a cathedral of the Lords making to let you know that it was a special day …and the picture of the two of you with your axes was epic! Thanks for sharing! Be safe and “ saddle up” as we say in Texas! 🤠🇺🇸🇨🇱🥃🍾

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

saddle up!!!! the journey continues!!! thanks Stuart

[@christopherharris6005]

Awesome video as always Nick and Matilda. Congratulations on making it to the summit and making it all 20,000 feet.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you Christopher!

[@michaelharris1455]

Too freakin' cool. Congratulations on your summit! I can't image the thrill that must have been. Thank you again for sharing your adventures, and achievements with us.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was so fun for us too!

[@RichardVac]

You guys are amazing to be able to go as high, great physical condition, and an incredible experience ❤❤

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much!

[@lizzshields8086]

Congratulations Nick& Matilda a big bravo👏 you definitely earned the long sleep after this!! What a spectacular view at the top!! This was quite an incredible challenge! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much! 😊 we did sleep 16hours straight and long nights the following days. thank you for travelling with us!

[@user-zg4ff8lw5u]

Congratulations, Nick and Mathilde! If you can survive all you've gone through together, there's nothing you can't accomplish. Love to you both!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you ! yes it was a big challenge

[@atanaschan]

So happy for you guys :), told you Bolivia is just an incredible country. Remember, when I said just wait until you get down to Bolivia, now I say, Salar de Uyuni awaits you !!! All the best!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

hahahahah true true true

[@steveblount4552]

I like these ppl they bring content to their travels

[@cmorris1469]

Congratulations on the summit! Thank you for sharing the experience.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks for watching!

[@gabrielekomann1510]

Wow... What a hike!!! Congrats that you made it! I was so excited by simply whatching you going up there. Great episode! Thank you for taking us along with you.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Glad you enjoyed it! that makes us super happy!

[@lucioinacio4816]

Wow 😮😮😮 congratulations guys that was amazing 👏👏👏👏👏 what a big mountain 🏔️

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much!! yes it was quite the challenge for us

[@josephoneil6016]

I have been up a few mountains here in Peru, but wow guys - congratulations on what you accomplished.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you! it is not the hardest surely there are harder ones in Peru. but what an experience

[@Donneczka1]

Wow guys! I didn’t think you could get any more intrepid, but you did! I am very, very impressed! Well done! 👏👏👏

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much!

[@marciacoker2968]

Congrats Nick and Mathilde 😱🫶

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you Marcia!!!

[@jomilio4858]

Espectacular el amanecer en la cumbre ,es un espectáculo aparte para la vista ,realmente un amanecer desde esa altura debe ser impresionante, tan grande sacrificio es recompensado con esas vistas son unos privilegiados de llegar a la cima con la adversidad de la altura y el frio. Felicidades 👏👏👏

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

si super lindo! que suerte!

[@rsevillatorres]

You guys are in super good shape. Huayna Potosi as your first climb? That is amazing !!!!

[@kristensaenz6421]

Still catching up on your videos. Wow that was hard! How exciting to make it. Thanks for introducing the group. It was interesting how people from all over come to climb that mountain.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you Kristen for watching !!!! Yes we were thrilled to make it to the top

[@batfalcononyoutube]

Congtas guys! The view is breathtaking. I am almost sure that the night kept hidden all the difficult passages, so you kept on climbing. Congratulations again!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Yes so true!!! honestly the night helps tons in not overthinking we found. the time went by so fast

[@jomilio4858]

Que genial eso es obra de los organizadores para sus alpinistas y eso les ayuda psicologicamente a no desmayar me parece muy bien pensado en ese detalle,y ver el amanecer debe ser un espectáculo aparte para la vista ver los primeros rayos del sol .

[@rogerevans1117]

WOW!!! What a fantastic video. Your commitment & determination are highly impressive. Thank you!!!!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much! it felt really awesome

[@beaserr5000]

Hello, I admire you so much, you are an incredible couple, we accompanied you and virtually hugged you from Mexico City, come on guys!!!!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much!! It makes it so happy you tag along the journey! Mexico City is 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@In_MT]

Congratulations! What an accomplishment. Now you know you CAN accomplish anything you set out to do!!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Yes! Thank you! It is such a nice feeling

[@nehechodane1013]

simply amazing, thanks for sharing, every week a surprise

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

whoohoooo

[@joseemarchand8138]

Vous m’impressionnez tellement!!! Bravo pour cet incroyable accomplissement! Vos images sont magnifiques. Quelle détermination. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Merci beaucoup! c était vraiment une belle aventure pour nous!

[@annerees4904]

You are both to be congratulated, such a fantastic achievement!! Look forward to your next adventure, take care xxxx

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much!

[@junefirst500]

WoW! I am Proud of as Your Parents do! What a beautiful Couple!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much June

[@prernaz]

Wow c’était superb! Merci beaucoup et félicitations 🍾 wow vous êtes vraiment magnifiques ❤

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Merci beaucoup ca fait plaisir !!!!

[@gregmuon]

Great job guys. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing such beautiful views with us al! I suspect that the fact that you've been living at high altitude for a few weeks now was very helpful.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

It was definitely a game changer, we had so much time to get used to elevation. it had become normal to sleep at 4000m while just 1 month before we were not super comfortable there

[@heatherandrews2057]

Wow! Congratulations Mathilde and Nick. Very few people would attempt that challenge, let alone accomplish it. Thanks for taking us along. Hope you’ve recuperated by now.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Our pleasure! Thank you for tagging along

[@ursinidaho]

Wow you guys!!! Whoo hoo for you both. What an accomplishment! The view was so awesome at the top. I bet Marciano enjoyed your company. Thank you. Safe travels always✌️❤️🦮🐕‍🦺

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

hahahah marciano was an angel of patience really!!!

[@ursinidaho]

@@NextMeridianExpedition But still, you two are very nice and polite and conscientious. And FUN! I'm sure they will remember you both.

[@crivensro]

1 mio. Congratulations!👏👏👏

[@Doodledogs]

Amazing!!! and congratulations! what an achievement and another great memory.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

It really is! we are not ready to forget this

[@TANKampers]

NOICE! I was breathing heavy just watching you guys - bon boulot!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Merci !!!

[@fgansell]

Amazing achievement congratulations, so well edited also. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much! That is the best kind of compliment

[@mrtchaikovsky6341]

That's was EPIC Guys

[@clupu2]

WOW! Breathtaking views and experience. I can only tell you that watching you, it sure felt like was there with you guys. Congratulations! Not many could've done what you did!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Haaaa best compliment ! That makes us really happy 😊

[@clupu2]

@@NextMeridianExpedition fabulous 💯

[@nandirouhi6820]

That was Epic! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing the experience.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks for watching!

[@BrentKelly5]

We are on a train on our way to Puglia Italy and I'm binge watching the last few episodes. Great accomplishment you two. Something I'd like to do - add it to my list. :)

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

ooooh lucky! Puglia!!! the food is amazing. have fun!

[@delllittle5692]

Way to go! I'm glad you are ok! The crevases would have freaked me out.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

we definitely were happy that we did not know too much on the way up hahahaha

[@monicahardwick1394]

Amazing! Well done both of you! 👏👏👌👍

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!! 😁

[@junefirst500]

You guys are so Brave, i hope once you finsh your journey i want to see your childrne & life to see different!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Hahaha some time in front of us but yes so many projects

[@Wa61105]

Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

A million thank you Walter that is a very generous support to our expedition 🙏🏻 thank you for tagging along the journey!!!

[@brucelumsden94]

I am impressed with your achievement, very well done.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you very much! we were very proud too

[@stevewaterworth8231]

Well done guys 🎉

[@bobbrayshaw1179]

Fantastic! A big well done 👏

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you

[@ericpillou9389]

Bel exploit, vous aviez vraiment l’air épuisés au sommet. Un grand bravo et bonne récupération 👍

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

aahahahha oui on était cuit

[@aislingbooks]

Amazing!!! And such incredible views

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you Shers!

[@TorArneMoe]

Congratulations ! I take my hat off :)

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you so much !

[@Love_rainy_days]

Wow! Congratulations✨✨🧨🧨 Guys you did it! Is K2 next on the list.🏔 Love the channel💘 stay safe and happy exploring South America! 🏕Cheers 🍺🍺🕵‍♀

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much!! whooo that is not even the next level that is 20 levels above us hahahahah

[@henkisa]

respect to you been to nepel 2005 been to kalapatar at 5600 meter it brings back memories

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

woooow amazing

[@tandyroyal8513]

What an awesome climb!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you! It was great !

[@bossmann7592]

what an adventure!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Really was !!!

[@justinlucero6652]

Wow u guys brave must be a amazing experience to have a look on that motivation and be on that mountain 🏔️ wow stunning view yet scary but amazing same time awesome jobs you guys did it.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

It really was amazing! Thank you Justin

[@belindacarinaboco6410]

This is cool🎉

[@arashamirkabir3884]

Woooo، you guys made it .congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤This was just a Boot camp . The next destination will be K2 . You can dream it ،you can do it .

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you! Ooooh K2 is like 30 level higher hahahahah maybe not in the near future! But was an awesome adventure

[@alisonduflon-deleo6719]

Wow and amazing journey. You guys were impressive.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much!

[@robkeith1776]

Well done ! Quite a feat.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you!

[@MarcelEling]

Ni e to see how you are struggeling☺️ Grea t thing to do and make it to the end❤

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

🤗

[@tomato4507]

Congratulations! Brilliant video.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!

[@josephinegibbs3902]

That was EPIC!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Ooooh I love that you like it

[@MrDonJBerg]

This was so good I watched it twice..

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you Don!!!

[@TheBearDenPhotography]

Awesome! Congrats!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@grahames9228]

Well done.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@CreatorInTrng]

So happy for you both!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you!

[@Bismackk]

Love the energy you have

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!!!!

[@ronfinch5532]

Now that was a beautiful sun rise! Looked quite nerving seeing the drop off in the dark and walking along side of it! More grate memories!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Yes it was! And we don’t really realize when we go up! It s really in the way down

[@ErickSowder]

Congratulations!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!

[@robbertclack6308]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks for watching!

[@erikcele1604]

Well Done 🎉

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you!

[@cinnamon8884]

amazing - well done!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks a lot!

[@josephsaunders7301]

beautiful

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Wa61105]

Absolutely amazing!! Congratulations on achieving this great challenge!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks for watching

[@barbaratudor8502]

Wow! Congratulations! What an achievement! Thanks also for taking us along! xx

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much for coming along!!! 😊 The more the merrier

[@darrylmoffett8323]

You two are amazing. Drive safe and have fun. 🇺🇸

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

We will! Thank you

[@mirelaklein2442]

Fantastic!! Congrats guys!! You are so taff!! 🤩🤗🤗👍

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you! we were super proud !

[@bogdan307]

Hello guys, kudos to you ! Thats looks like a good effort mission and fun. Would you mind sharing some details about the expedition agency please?! Cheers again, well done !

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Hello, we went with Jiwaki, make sure you are clear you want to go up at your rhythm and don’t want to be pressured we be heard that other companies had guide pushing to fast

[@axelkramp7182]

Glückwunsch👏👏👏

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

danke!!!

[@cynan1019]

Congratulations! Wow what an adventure you will never forget! Glad you were able to make it to the top! What a view!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much for tagging along !

[@lyndamarines]

Wow Nick and Matilde...Epic video!...I was excited right along with you.❤

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Hoo we re happy your like it !!! Thanks for travelling with us

[@terrahmama]

Woweeee! Awesome job. Did it freak you out coming down and seeing what you had walked up in the dark? That was a hard climb for your first climb with crampons and roping up. you guys are hard core!🎉

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

For us it was a challenge indeed! Going down it was not necessarily freaking out but more like “oh damn I did not realize hahahaha”

[@stevestott1514]

Spectacular climbing. Well done you two . Isn’t it amazing the views on the way down ,that were hidden on the hard step by step night climb up . And then the awesome high of having done something like that . A life time memory for sure . Thanks for taking us along for your amazing climb. I can no longer do those kind of climbs but the memories of them will stay with me for ever the majestic views and the memories of the guides that looked out fore us and became life long friends . Cheers to another awesome adventure video again you two . Thanks from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. 🌎 🏔🍻👍🏼😁👊🏼

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Yes for us it was a new feeling. Although we hike quite a bit it s the first time we do something like that. Was amazing. Oooh that must be memories of a lifetime indeed for you. ! Thanks for watching as usual Steve

[@stevestott1514]

@@NextMeridianExpedition 🍻👍🏼😁

[@anamsohail8904]

Congratulations on achieving a milestone on your world tour journey! 👏 ❤ Keep moving strong and reaching new milestones 😁

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Never stop aiming higher 🙌🏼🫶🫶🫶

[@rmclark339]

Congratulations to my favorite world travelers. Well done!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Thanks so much!

[@rhousto1]

Fantastic achievement. That tired me just watching. Total admiration for the two of to endure such an arduous hike at an altitude that would be a challenge to walk at without the climbing and large backpacks. You manage to pile one adventure on top of another. Thought of you several times this week wondering how the two of you did......I am not surprised that you prevailed. Congratulations!!!!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Glad you enjoyed it! I am sure we felt your good thoughts along the way! thanks a lot

[@russmartin4189]

You guys are awesome! I'm impressed though I don't think I would have tried it when I was 25 years old. I know I would have gotten altitude sickness and felt horrible up there. If I could have had oxygen, maybe.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you russ!

[@MrDonJBerg]

I can't tell you how proud I am of you two and excited to be a Patreon Member to help you complete your world tour..

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

thank you Don! your are #1

[@doussotchristophe9411]

Good job... Aconcagua next??? folowing by Annapurna French summit...... le Népal vous attend!! profitez de la vie , on en a qu'une.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Hahahaah so many options! We won’t make it a regular thing but for sure in Nepal or in other places we hope to be able to do nice hikes

[@jeffhampton2767]

Thank God there was not an avalanche or that you fell into ice crevasse. You were both really pushing the limits with this one! ❤🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

We were really well taken care of with our guide. But it is interesting to see the crevasses on the way down as you don’t really realize on the way up

[@jeffhampton2767]

@@NextMeridianExpedition Ice crevasses scare the heck out of me.

[@davkumi]

It's called an ICE axe!😂

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

hahahahah ... yes we learnt that a bit too late and none of the English speakers of the group corrected us hahah

[@RocketRay]

Summitting is optional. Descent is mandatory.

[@johnalden5821]

OMG. Wow. This is beyond anything I have ever attempted to do. I kept wondering, how heavy were the backpacks and how much water did you have with you? One advantage (I am sure you planned it this way) is that you already had been pretty well acclimated to the high altitude from spending time in the Peruvian Andes. I suspect that some of the folks who encountered difficulty may not have spent as much time at altitude. What an incredible feat!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

for the final ascent we add maybe 2 liters each. It is long but we did not loose much water with the cold. also water was freezing in the bottles. You are completely right we were really well acclimated compared to others. it definitely played in our favour.

[@johnalden5821]

@@NextMeridianExpedition Smart! They say staying well hydrated helps with the altitude (and is a good idea anyway) but the best prep is just getting used to being at that height. I have hiked up a 14er in Colorado, but nothing like nearly 20k.

[@ozthunder]

Found this very interesting but for a reason most would not. My YT user name gives a hint. When i saw the flash of lightning in the back ground near beginning of video my interest grew. I did not not where in Peru this Potosi Mountain was? but I do know that thunderstorm activity on the Altiplano, Lake Titicaca and La Paz peaks in late afternoon / early evening, not dawn. Later in video when sun came out you could see the storms to the east, but clear over you and west. So I assumed that Potosi must be right on eastern edge of high Andes. I could be wrong but it seems that cold plateau / Mountain air funnels down the valleys east of the peaks and lifts the warmer lower eastern slopes air into storms.

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Love it MR Thunder! Good pick! I actually discuss it on the way up with the guide and it is super interesting but was too tired to film it hahahaha. I know nothing of Thunder but saw this giant cloud like a tower and lightings far away on the east of the mountain chain. And I asked the guide: tell me this is not going on us right? And he said: no worries. This is above the Amazonia. It is insane how the high plateau acts as a weather frontier between the dry west and the rain forest on the other side. You would know the details better but that is the context hahahah

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

And huayna potosi is in Bolivia right next to the capital city La Paz

[@jeffhampton2767]

You are both becoming professional mountain climbers. Next will be Mount Everest. You are both very brave. Time to relax on a warm beach. You deserve it after that nightmare! 🤔😂😂👍🏻👍🏻❤🙏🏻

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Hahahaha anything warm for Jeff 😆 yes we literally slept 16 hours in one go hahaha

[@jeffhampton2767]

@@NextMeridianExpedition Okay but it was kind of scary. But you are both young. When you get old like me if he won't be able to do it.

[@pennygrubbauthor]

That was spectacular! Loved the whole video, but I had to lie down in a darkened room to recover from watching it. Please don't do Everest!

[@NextMeridianExpedition]

Oh no! Hahahahaha oh Everest is 20 levels above haha and not very interested in it

[@pennygrubbauthor]

Glad to hear it! @@NextMeridianExpedition 😃