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micronut
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 1, 2011 - 01:57pm PT
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There have been a couple threads here over the years about Nepal, the Himalaya and other goings on in this amazing place. I just wanted to share some photography from our trips there and share the stoke with others who have been there.
So chime in with photos, stories, word or whatever. May the magic of this wonderful land and its people inspire you. I hope to return again some day.
I'll post up some captions soon. But most of these shots speak for themselves....
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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the sun be my judge,
i haven't set foot beyond
the you es of a.
i named both my daughters after himalayan peaks,
with hopes that
hardship is all of our to inherit.
annapurna.
makalu.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Amazing how it's changed in less than 30 years.
Lukla. The most dangerous airport in the world.
1983 - dirt
2007 - paved (around 2001 IIRC)
In 1983, you either walked around K-du or Rickshaw. Now, it's chock-a-block with cars. The smog is awful.
The swinging bridges are much sturdier now as well.
So, one day, I was the most famous guy in the Khumbu. Going down to one of those swinging bridges on switchbacks on both sides, were dozens of trekkers. I get on the bridge and I feel more vibration than I would generate myself. I'd just walked past a Yak and I realized - in a micro-second - it was chasing me across the Bridge. No time to turn and verify it, just run like crazy across the bridge and fling myself over to the side at the feet of a couple of companions - who thought it was hilarious.
That night, it was the talk of every teahouse within a one day radius. Dozens of people had seen it. Rarely happens. Yaks are pretty tame.
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Banquo
climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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I was there in 81 and 84. I remember they didn't have metal detectors in the airport so when leaving the country I was frisked. They found my bundle of cash and travelers checks in my pants but didn't ask to see it after I told them it was my money although it could have been drugs or a bomb for all they knew. They also found my swiss army knife which they wouldn't allow me to carry onto the plane. They said I could put the knife into my checked pack so, unattended by anyone, I walked out across the tarmac to the airplane, found my pack and put the knife into it. It didn't seem like very effective security to me.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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I also had a run-in with my SWAK in 2007. I'd packed my daybag to go hiking - forgetting the intervening flight via Lukla. There were three levels of security. The bag went through the X-Ray, np. Then there was that place at the terminal exit where they do the Males and Females separately and I was searched - again, np. At the aircraft, there was someone who asked if I had a knife or lighter. I realized I had both those things.
I sent my guide back for the SWAK. The lighter wasn't worth it.
Two years ago in the Indian Himalaya, I was privileged to share a flight from Leh with the Da Lai Lama. Security was the tightest I've seen. Zero carry-on. No coats. Nothing. You could check up to ten bags but nothing in the cabin.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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I've enjoyed two 16 day treks with friends in Nepal. Everest Area in 2005 and Mustang in 2008.
The locals certainly add to the enjoyment of the journey, but some of the largest mountains in the world are eye candy: far better, than a photo can ever share.
Of course: a chocolate croissant and hot beverage at 12,000 Ft., after 14 days trekking, is also memorable.
OK mountains.
And how could I neglect the "pointy Mountain:" Ama Dablin.
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Mattq331
Mountain climber
Boulder/UK
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Absolutely love Nepal!
Was there in 1996 on a climbing trip. We were on Hiunchuli in the Annapurna Sanctuary:
Now, 15 years later I'm going back, this time with my wife and kids (13, 15) to trek into the Khumbu. My eldest was just 3 months old when I left to Nepal the first time - but it struck me that trekking in Nepal was something the whole family would enjoy. In 2 weeks time we'll be testing my theory!
Matt
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Despites the hardships, I spent the best years of my life in Nepal and many of my closest friends are still there. It's always interesting for me to see how others not as immersed in the culture as I am perceive it.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Matt: Love your drawings.
Enjoy Nepal.
Kathmandu is still: a zoo!
(a very interesting zoo, however)!!
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salad
climber
Escondido
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not quite in the same league, but i was once there too!
(Nilgiri)
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Anyone enjoying this thread?
Let us know?
Post your thoughts &/or photos.
I have lots more photos, but if they are not of interest?
Have a nice day.
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Mark Rodell
Trad climber
Bangkok
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Appreciate Nepal...Well yea. I was lucky enough to snag a job teaching there. It was a U.S.I.S. gig so the pay was okay. Lived there about three years and got in a lot of trips into the mts. Problem was living in Kathmandu, a very dirty place and I was sick too often. Moved to Bangkok and have taken many trips back to Nepal since then.
One thing I learned was that the off season was a great time to trek. Monsoon in the Everest Area...very few tourists. Wake early and plan that the rains would come early afternoon.
Took my Thai wife into te Jomsom/Mustang gateway area one January. When we signed the park enterance register there were only six other parties on the trail. During peak season there'd be hundreds of groups. Cold but weather held and so very nice.
Less popular area like Langtang, very cool. Get off trail and speak a bit of the language or hire a good guide and the hospitality blooms. My guide, who I used often, knew local edible plants and we took off trail a lot. We also sought out obscure temples.
Appreciate Nepal. Yep...so Fritz post up pics. I am away from home and cling to this place for sanity.
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mcreel
climber
Barcelona
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We needed a guide from Nepal to get us to the top of this rock.
bonus question: where are we?
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Cool thread. I would if I could...
and Fritz, post more pics.
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mcreel
climber
Barcelona
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This fellow is also a river guide:
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local
Social climber
eldorado springs
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The photo labeled Cho Oyu up-thread is actually Gyachang Kang, 7952m, just east of Cho Oyu.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Gonna guess those are the Terai.
I like Gokyo, as well, the ridge overlooking the Glacier that feeds the Ganges. Much less traveled than the EBC Corridor.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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I've got dozens of pix of the crazy crap around Thamel etc.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Local: Thanks for the correction, re your comment-
The photo labeled Cho Oyu up-thread is actually Gyachang Kang, 7952m, just east of Cho Oyu.
I found the image in the batch I took from Gokyo Ri, thought it might be Cho Oyu, then looked on Google for Cho Oyu and found a similar photo.
Here is a great photo from this site:
http://www.himalaya-info.org/nepal-flug.htm:
That explains my confusion. (click on image to enlarge)
Here is a photo I took of Cho Oyu, from just below Goyko.
Holy Schist! There are a lot of mountains in there!
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