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Our 2002-2003 treks and expeditionsHere is a list of treks and expeditions we have previously
advertised and ran. * means these wonderful people have trekked multiple times
with us. Fall 2003 Nepal: Manaslu, KangchenjungaKim's Nar-Phu explorationTo sum up this new trekking region, Nar Phu is a stunningly beautiful, high altitude valley system in upper Manang surrounded by snow-peaks, high pastures, glaciers and yak kharkas, and adorned with shimmering, brightly painted gompas, traditional Manangi villages, a patchwork of fields, fluttering strings of prayer flags and intricately designed ochre-colored chortens. I met so many wonderful, warm and interesting people during my ten days in the region there and can't wait to return next year! Kanchen Gola Wild - exploratoryHigh and Wild, Wild, Wild! The region offers the best high altitude exploration anywhere in Nepal - no bull, just yaks - and many peaks begging for bagging. We will further explore the outrageous Olangchung-Yangmak region, ie the valley system just to the west of Kanchenjunga, which was opened just last year. The Oct-Nov 2002 trip was a classic. For the Ultimate, begin the trip with rafting the wild Sun Kosi. Dates: 20 Oct-30 Nov, 42 days. Services: Mixed expedition and
light expedition style. Our guide reckoned that no trekkers had ever been up to the pass to Tibet we explored; Carsten had a read and found that Hooker was first in 1848(!), so second is hardly second best. An untimely snowfall prevented rampant climbing in the areas we had planned, but we trekked the whole region and got up a 6000m hill and almost got up Bokta. See Carsten's wonderful diary.
Kanchenjunga Double MagicDelightful villages, unsullied nature, variety of cultures and those mountains... We visit both north south sides for unspoiled trekking at its best. Dates: 20 Oct-16 Nov, 28 days. Services: Expedition style.
Leader: local. Cost: US$1580. Manaslu MagicImagine the Annapurna Circuit before it became popular - adventurous and even a little tough, that's the circuit of Manaslu. Beginning in picturesque Gurung villages we trek up to flat roofed Tibetan then, with glaciers groaning nearby, cross the 4910m Larkya La. This trek around the 8th highest peak on the planet is a true classic and we do the region justice, after all, you are not likely to be returning. Dates: 16 Oct-6 Nov, 22 days. Services: Expedition style.
Leader: Joel Schone. Cost: US$2220/€2000. Joel writes: it is hard to conceive of the beauty of Manaslu in the autumn. I consider it not only the loveliest in Nepal, but also possibly the whole Himalaya. The start is a middle hills classic, the real Nepal. Wonderful river views, kingfishers, woodpeckers and multi hued dragonflies dance on the breeze. Children give the formal Namaste. We meet the Maoists, of course; they are unwelcome in the villages, and as everyday life, harvest, school, fetching water, goes on, they extort money. But hearts and high places go together and they are soon a memory. Above all the character of the land stays with you. Corn, mustard, barley. Incredible canyons on a Ladakhi scale, but heavily wooded. The same Himalayan light that illuminates my dreams plays from side valleys, and then turn a corner and array of glittering peaks greet you. See Joel's diary. Fall 2003 Ladakh and Tibet tripsMalcs return - Ladakh, IndiaMalc Southern, one of our favourite trekkers, returns for his 3rd year. We begin gently with the classic Markha Valley then explore the wild route from Karnak to Zanskar. 17 Sep-15 Oct, 29 days. Service: expedition-style. Leader: Joel. Cost: $1980.
Kailash Pilgrimage - TibetThe holiest of holies for Tibetans and Hindus alike, the kora (ritual circuit) of Kailash (Kailas) is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. The breath-taking landscape alone makes this the best 4 day trek on the planet, add Tibetan nomads, lamas and nuns, and the superlatives never stop. Dates: 9 Sep-6 Oct, 28 days. Services: expedition-style.
Leader: Kim Bannister. Cost: US$3660/€3250. 2003 ExpeditionsShishapangma Expedition 8012m - guide assisted - Tibet Fall 2003Jamie has been there before and this time is serious about getting to the true summit. We can do it! Dates: 31 Aug-11 Oct, 42 days. Service: guide-assisted.
Guide-manager: Jamie McGuinness. Success! And we were the only commercial group that made it to the top. Naturally we were aiming for the true (Main) summit, but only made the 8008m Central summit, as did a bunch of notable mountaineers who REALLY, REALLY wanted to get that true summit. Conditions were too tough. Shishapangma is still waiting its first Australian summit. See the Shishapangma Expedition photo galleries of this trip. With the summit cake: Richard, Temba, Dawa, Jamie (bearded), Pasang, Nicola, Phil (yellow jacket), Nigel (red jacket)
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2003 Ladakh summerRemote Zanskar - Ladakh, IndiaZanskar is one of the most beautiful populated Himalayan valleys there is. We trek the classic route then branch off to take wilder route than the normal (and miss the road section), which takes us to high villages and valleys little visited by westerners. Dates: 2-26 Aug, 25 days. Services: expedition-style.
Leaders: Joel & Kim. Cost: $1980/€1760/£1250. See Kim's 2003 diary and Joel's diary. Caravan | Short Caravan - Ladakh, IndiaWe traverse a good chunk of Ladakh to one of our favorite Himalayan places, Lake Tso Moriri, to meet the nomadic changpas as they herd yak across the high pastures. Fresh curd, yeasty chang, salt tea and finish in the remote kingdom of Spiti via the stunning Parang La. Caravan: Dates: 2 July-3 Aug, 33 days. Services:
expedition-style. Leader: Joel. Cost: $1980/€1760/£1250. See Kim's 2003 diary and Joel's diary. Caravan 6666 - Ladakh, India *exploratoryWe have a few great plans that tie in with the Himalayan Caravan. Dates: 2 July-3 Aug, 33 days. Services: expedition-style.
Leaders: Jamie & Nicola (with Joel at the beginning). Light and easy, between us we climbed five 6000m peaks including our coveted 6666 peak, and explored part of the high plateau between Pang and Tso Moriri. See the Caravan 6666 photo galleries and Richard Nacin's galleries (opens in a new window). Zanskar Spring - Ladakh, IndiaZanskar is just gorgeous trekking, we experience it shaking off winter and spring happening, a truly classic time to trek, yet we probably won't meet any other trekkers. Our 3rd time in this season, each previous trip was the stuff of legends. Dates: 2-27 June, 26 days. Services: expedition-style.
Leaders: Joel & Kim. Cost: $1980/€1860/£1250. See Kim's 2003 diary and Joel's diary. John Soos has two photo galleries of the trek, start with Ladakh. 2003 Everest SpringEverest Expedition 8848mSee www.NIEverest.com - Success! And we have a photo gallery too. Team: Richard Dougan (leader), +Terence 'Banjo' Bannon and
David Sharp**.
Tibet ExplorerA jeep safari to experience the timeless Jokhang, the eighth-wonder architecture of the magnificent Potala, the Dalai Lama's summer palace and more. We stay three full days in the heart of the picturesque old Lhasa city and of course you want to see Gyantse's famous Kumbum, Shigatse's huge Tashilhunpo monastery and the jaw-dropping view of Chomolungma from Everest Base Camp. Dates: 15-28 May 2003, 14 days. Services: all inclusive. Leader: Joel Schone. Cost: US$1980/€2250/£1400. Cancelled due to SARS. Anniversary Hillary Khumbu TraverseA 50th jubilee Everest trek, and yes, we visit Everest Base Camp. We know many of the big Everest names and will meet many of them on the trail, last year we met Jamling and Tashi Tenzing (with Peter Hillary), Guy Cotter and many others. Dates: April, 22 days. Services: teahouse trekking. Leader:
Joel Schone. Cost: $1980. Everest ABC trek - TibetWe begin at Rongbuk, the highest monastery in the world - and go higher, to camp 3 on Everest at 6400m! This is Advanced Base Camp for the expeditions and it is the highest trek in the world. Dates: 30 Mar-21 Apr, 23 days. Services: expedition-style.
Leader: Jamie McGuinness. Cost: $3350 or $2950. Kinnaur Explorer Bike tripA seat of the pants or rather seat in the saddle exploration along the old Hindustan-Tibet highway. Dates: 3-17 Jan. And it was definitely exploratory even though Joel had scouted the region previously. It wasn't 'smooth as silk' but was definitely a memorable adventure. Michael said: Firstly, thank you (and Kim) for a GREAT bike trip. It had a winning combination of unexpected/spontaneous adventures, ready flexibility, a harmonious, friendly group and reliable, expert support (driver/cook). Also, I think we were all very grateful to have a bike mechanic with us (Corrin!). It was good to be able to be able to talk with you about Indian history and culture and reminisce. Towards the end of the trip, you asked me if I had kept a journal. Well, I would have done if you had mentioned it at the start - there sure was plenty to have recorded! There were a few unplanned events which I prefer to forget, such as the hair-raising taxi journey to Delhi, or the anxiety of getting lost at Wangtu (a god-forsaken place, if ever there was one) but then they did add to the overall excitement! I am considering the options for another trip this year. A suitably large bribe to my boss to secure more long leave may be necessary... See Joel's diary plus a few photos of the trip. Also see Kim's diary. 2002 Fall - Kanchenjunga & EverestChristmas High Khumbu & Island Peak 6173m - Everest trekExperience the Sherpa high country and the incredible mountains, by visiting Gokyo Lakes, Everest Base Camp, Kala Pattar and climbing Island Peak. We allow two extra trekking days over all other companies for weather hiccups and so that you can acclimatize properly. If you come this far you want to get there! All other foreign companies use tents. We can't work out why, when the teahouses are so good... Dates: 9 Dec-2 Jan, 25 days. Services: teahouse trekking and
light expedition style. Instead of Island Peak we went exploring on an easier peak but this still wasn't within our three trekker's capacities. So as a bonus we took a brief reconnaissance of Lumding Kharka. What a trail, surely one of the wickedest in the Himalaya, steep, and so small you couldn't even tell you were on it half the time. We found out later it had been virtually unused for 5 years. We will be back. see the Christmas Khumbu 2002 photo galleries (needs a big screen and fast connection). Kanchen Gola Wild - *exploratoryHigh and Wild, Wild, Wild! The Olangchung -Topke Gola region, ie the valley system just to the west of Kanchenjunga, was opened this year and we will explore it. Properly. Dates: 21 Oct-1 Dec, 42 days. Services: Mixed expedition and
light expedition style. Off the map literally! Really out there too, absolute classic with a wonderful bunch of people. See Kanchen Gola '02 photo series.
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2002 Ladakh & Tibet summerCaravan Explorer 6000Our classic Caravan route, with a bit of high altitude "exploration", of course. Dates: 26 Sep-20 Oct, 25 days. Service: expedition-style.
Leaders: Joel and Jamie. Cost: US$1600. Yep, four out of five have trekked with us before. Four out of five don't drink rum either!? The second section turned out to be one of the highest altitude treks anywhere, we crossed a 5800m pass, explored up a 5900m one and trekked up a few 6000m hills - and failed on the peak we really wanted, due to weather. God it was cold! See Carsten's diary and photos.
Zanskar the Hard Way - Ladakh, India *exploratoryWILD. Since '99 we have had some unfinished business, the high and glaciated Kang La. But we don't stop there, the wild Jumlam calls, with the option of a peak... Dates: 5 Sep-5 Oct, 31 days. Service: expedition-style.
Leaders: Joel and Jamie. Cost: US$1980/€1980. From emails it is so hard to guess what people are like. Eric and Charlene were a delight! Eric, with witty comments to match Joels', Charlotte with knowing looks and sly digs, and a fondness for rum, roll on Happy Hours! Nicole improved her Tibetan with the crew and had to put up with lots of French jokes - every French group we met turned back, we even met one of them twice, but Nicole didn't. In fact she joined the next trek as well - tougher than all the rest of the French put together! The trek - we called off the Kang La section because conditions just didn't seem right, and lucky we did too. We crossed the more normal Shingo La while it was snowing for two days, and was nearly knee deep. As usual our team performed heroically, and with good judgement. Lobsang and myself broke trail until the horses caught us, and then they showed what they were made of, easily breaking trail faster than we could, strong as strong. Other horsemen-groups turned back. I just love the upper Zanskar valley! So beautiful and great trekking. Again we slightly adapted our route because of broken trails, instead of trekking via Shade we resupplied in Padum then off into the Jumlam. God, those gorges! Lobsang said 108 river crossings, and this number gives you a clue... This is a journey of penance - especially as Jamie didn't bring any other boots, and when he couldn't jump, took his boots off. Joel more sensibly had old boots, Nicole a pair of running shoes, and Eric and C, Tevas. The Jumlam is a classic! We will be back. See the Jumlam photo gallery. Back on the main trail at the Zalung Karpo La, the trek up to Nimaling and then over the Kongmaru La has to be some of the best couple of days trekking anywhere, the huge feeling of space, the delicate colours, the panoramas. Then that final gorge, unlike the others but also utterly captivating. The peak? conditions were a bit tough so we opted for a lower hill and were rewarded with savage winds but a good view. Another memorable trek, even if nobody could draw.
Mount Kailash Pilgrimage for PeaceAn inner and outer journey with Paul Dallaghan of Centred Yoga, a very special trip to Kailash. Dates: 10 Sep-6 Oct, 27 days. Services: expedition-style.
Cost: US$3495.
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