The moment I knew: it was tender but complicated – then we decided not to hide any more

A chance encounter on a Nepali mountain turned into an unlikley love story that has conquered the world of high-altitude climbing. The author, a seasoned mountaineer with a passion for conquering the highest peaks without supplemental oxygen, met her guide Mikel while taking refuge from torrential rain at his camp.

Their whirlwind romance was born in the midst of turmoil - a kiss under the sound of pattering raindrops and laughter shared across the campsite. Yet, it was complicated by their disparate backgrounds - the 15-year age gap between them raised concerns about societal norms and expectations.

It took courage for the pair to confront these doubts head-on and decide not to hide behind secrecy any longer. Once they chose to be open about their relationship, everything fell into place - a bond strengthened through shared adventures, trust forged over countless peaks climbed together.

Today, Mikel stands by Allie's side as she continues her quest to conquer the world of high-altitude climbing, guiding and supporting her every step of the way. Together they embody an unbreakable love that transcends boundaries - "I love me, you love you, we love each other, and we both love the mountain" is their mantra, a testament to the power of true devotion.

Their bond has led them up some of the world's most treacherous peaks, seven 8,000-metre summits having already been conquered. The mountain becomes a second home for this devoted couple - a symbol of resilience and strength that binds them together as they traverse life's greatest challenges side by side.

I just read about this crazy beautiful love story between Allie & Mikel and I'm OBSESSED ! 15 year age gap? That's like, super common in Nepal or something lol. But for real though, their love is the real MVP. It's amazing how they were able to overcome those doubts and just be themselves around each other. And can we talk about how cute it is that they have a motto like "I love me, you love you, we love each other" ? I mean, who doesn't need a little reminder of self-love in their life, right?

OMG I'm literally so in awe of Allie and Mikel's love story! They're like, the ultimate proof that true love conquers all, no matter what obstacles come your way I mean, who needs supplemental oxygen when you've got that kind of love to keep you going? Their age gap thing was a bit worrying at first, but they totally slayed it by being open and honest with each other . It's so beautiful to see how their bond grew stronger through all the adventures they shared together The mountain is literally their happy place - I need more content like this on my feed! Can we get a climb-along series with them?

can't believe how fast their relationship grew... 15-year age gap is huge but i guess when you find the right person, nothing else matters allie & mikel's love story is straight out of a rom-com, but it's so much more than that - it's about trusting each other with your life and finding strength in each other's presence

OMG, can we talk about how beautiful their love story is? I mean, who wouldn't fall in love with someone while sipping tea and watching the rain from a mountain campsite? But seriously, it's amazing that they were able to push past the societal norms and expectations, you know? It takes guts to be that open about your relationship. And now, they're not just each other's partners but also each other's biggest supporters - I love how supportive Mikel is of Allie's climbing dreams! And can we talk about how gorgeous she looks in those photos?

I'm not surprised at all that their love story would be so dramatic , but what really gets my goat is how easy it was for them to just 'fall in love' under the sound of raindrops... like it's some kinda fairy tale . And don't even get me started on the whole age gap thing - 15 years? That's a bit too much for my comfort . I mean, what about societal expectations and power imbalances? Have they never heard of those things before? Anyway, I guess it's cute that they found each other through climbing, but let's be real, it's just a PR stunt to get more followers on Instagram ...

I'm low-key obsessed with this unlikely love story! It's crazy how something born out of chaos can become the foundation of a strong bond. I remember when I was in college, my friend had a similar experience with his partner – they met on a hike and it just took off from there. They're still together and it's amazing to see how it's strengthened over the years.

I've been following Allie's climbing adventures and she's always been so inspiring. But this part about her and Mikel is something else. I mean, 15-year age gap can be tough, but it sounds like they've found a way to make it work. Their mantra "I love me, you love you, we love each other" is so sweet! It's all about finding that balance and supporting each other in the most epic adventures.

You know what's crazy? I was talking to my friend from high school yesterday and she mentioned how she wishes her parents would have been more open about their own relationship. This couple's story is like a reminder that love comes in all shapes and sizes, and it's never too late to find your true partner.