18 days walking in far Eastern Nepal, mostly in the Kanchenjunga region, right up near the border of Nepal and Tibet. Snippets of our adventure and stories that unfolded along the way. Every trip back to Nepal is different. Different companions, routes, and circumstances blend together to create an interesting mosaic of experiences which are … Continue reading Chasing Snow Leopards
Note: this article was published in the NZOIA Quarterly publication back in 2014. Often we share the epic stories, the physical challenges and the hardships of longer expeditions. I wrote this to give an insight into the joys of slow-paced travel. I have naturally itchy feet, always further aggravated by the Banff Mountain Film Festival. … Continue reading A slow paced journey: Walking Across Nepal
Note: we finished this trip in June 2013. Diary excerpt: Some people are drawn to wild places; our hearts beat stronger. Here I see life in all of its vastness, all of its beauty, and its extraordinary depth. My heart dances, it beats stronger in these mountains. Life is stripped to the bare necessities; it’s … Continue reading Journey through Dolpa
In Jomsom! Tonight we had our first shower in over 70 days. Glorious. Has to be experienced personally to be fully appreciated! Who's up for the challenge?! We also had 2 dinners each and 8 cups of hot chocolate and sweet milky tea, each! Yum. Today there were so many incredible eagles soaring all around … Continue reading sat phone update May 29
Successful pass crossing but we chose to take a 'local trail' down as a shortcut. Turns out it is a heap of shit! Stranded by more snowmelt. If you saw our sleeping spot you'd crack up. We're sleeping in a sea of boulders and the path is nearly fit for mountain goats!! Will be able … Continue reading second sat phone update May 26
Sweet campsite at 5000m, just making porridge to send us over another pass today. Tried soaking it and woke up to frozen solid oats 🙂 At this altitude we are usually happy with luke warm tucker anyway. You should have seen our dinner last night - a sludge of beaten rice, oats, potatoes and barley … Continue reading sat phone update May 26
Before 11am and we have been stranded by rapidly rising snowmelt river already. Managed to do five crossings but wet up to belly button. Too dodgy now so an early camp it is! You have to work with nature here or you get dominated. In one week we will be able to devour a yak … Continue reading sat phone update May 22
Went over another 5,000m+ pass two days ago and then found PEANUT BUTTER, we polished off a whole jar by the spoonful! We are now basking in the morning sun at 4,500m ready to tackle a 5,400m pass. Lately we have been stunted by swollen streams and forced to camp early - snowmelt turns the … Continue reading sat phone update May 21
Ended up spending 6 nights in Shey Gompa. Such an amazing time with the lama and his wife. She had tears in her eyes when we left. She sent us on our way over another 5,000m pass with a small bag of boiled potatoes and some clumps of raw sugar! Spent two nights in Saldang … Continue reading sat phone update May 15
