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Our previous Kanchenjunga treksHere is a list of Nepal Kanchenjunga treks and expeditions we have previously
advertised and ran. * means these wonderful people have trekked multiple times with us. 2006Kanchen Gola Wild *exploratoryJamie's 6th 42 day exploratory trek in the region!! We visit the north base camp, the show-stealing Jannu BC and attempt a complex of 6000m peaks, lastly we take the most remote high route over from Kanchenjunga to Makalu. 17 Oct-27 Nov, 42 days -- expedition style -- leader: Jamie
McGuinness -- US$2950 -- full "Once in a lifetime experience." Pick a rural house in remote Nepal and stay the night, observe the life just as it is, chang and all; Meike and Falko wanted to and we did. And had plenty of other once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including seeing a Yellow-throated Marten loping along and being one of the first trekking groups to make the Umbak La, Border Post 78 (as we were with three other passes in the region). The weather wasn't kind and so we couldn't make Topke Gola (so still one 'Gola' to go), but we did make Thudam again and take that extreme high route again, and follow the Arun out. The crew, porters and and sherpas and kitchen were total superstars, nothing ran out and even bed tea was not a minute early or late, ever. I can't say enough to praise the hard work put in. Kanchenjunga Double MagicHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; unsullied culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the base camps where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. 17 Oct-13 Nov -- expedition style -- leaders: Jamie McGuinness
and Namgyal Sherpa -- US$2650 |
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Our Kanchen Gola Exploratory trek team at the end - Jamie |
Kanchenjunga extrasPrevious Kanch treksManaslu or Kanch?Kanch diariesRachel's dailyMegan's AdventureNatasha DurhamBob RosenbaumDana AlfordWanda VivequinJamie McGJoel SchoneKanch galleriesKanchen Gola 02Wanda's 01 seriesJoel's 00Dave's 99Exploratory 97
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2005Kanchenjunga Double MagicHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; unsullied culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the base camps where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. 23 Oct-18 Nov, 27 days -- expedition-style -- leader: Wanda
Vivequin (& Jamie) -- US$2250 Can you all come again! John and Meagan write: Kanchen Gola Wild *exploratoryThis will be our 5th 42 day exploratory trek in the region (!!) and the last area we have yet to explore. We visit both base camps, the show-stealing Jannu BC and attempt a complex of 6000m peaks that we can call Bokta North. Lastly the locals reckon there is a way over from Kanchenjunga to Makalu - we have adventures finding out. 23 Oct-3 Dec, 42 days -- expedition style -- leader: Jamie McGuinness -- US$2850 Natasha has written a short and sweet diary; I hope more team members will write soon [and they did]! What a fantastic trip. So how did we end up with only three trekkers for the exploratory section? First on arrival in Kathmandu, Ken found out that his son had just contracted suspected meningitis, and flew back immediately. Very sad to lose him so quickly. Then after Kanchenjunga North side BC and camping at Pangpema most of the herd bolted, saying that they had not expected to be quite as cold as it was. My entreaties of but "it is just a cold snap" did not wash with them, and as soon as they left it warmed again! To be fair Niels was going to stay but twisted his knee, and Dallas also. We still didn't quite get to the top of Bokta North; another time, but we were very close. I had my first helicopter evacuation while running my own trips, Dallas stretched his Achilles tendon tripping on the trail and the swelling just would not go down, even with 5 days rest, so he got a very scenic flight out.
Standing L-R: Bal Bahadur (porter naike), Pasang (sherpa-cook), Bir Bagh
(sherpa), Dawa Gelje (sirdar), John SS, Da'Yula (sherpa-sirdar), Natasha, Niels,
Alphonse, Dallas C, Jerry C. 2004We didn't run any Kanchenjunga treks because Joel went to
Manaslu instead
Kanchenjunga Double MagicHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; unsullied culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the base camps where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. 17 Oct-13 Nov -- expedition style -- leaders: Jamie McGuinness
and Namgyal Sherpa -- US$2650 2003Kanchen 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. |
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2002Kanchen 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.
2001Kanchenjunga Magic & Tengkoma climb 6215mYep, we have become the Kanchenjunga experts, and this will be the 9th trip there we have managed here. Huge rewards for those intrepid enough; an ancient culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the north base camp where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. But wait, as if that isn't enough, we also have an optional climb of Tengkoma, a straightforward peak. Dates: 15 Oct-11 Nov, 28 days. Service: expedition style. Leaders: Jamie & Joel (and we aren't gay!). Cost: US$2120. No bookings. Nothing to do with the World Trade Center, instead two people converted to the longer Kanchenjunga Wild trip below... Who says nobody will book a 42 day trip? Kanchenjunga 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 and then there's that west valley. This will be our 'third time lucky' trip, the first two were great but suffered unseasonal snow. Dates: 15 Oct -25 Nov, 42 days. Services: Mixed expedition
and light expedition style. Leaders: Jamie and Joel. Cost: US$2680. Here is an article by Wanda and her photos. We didn't suffer unseasonal snow, in fact conditions were virtually perfect, but the health of our trekkers wasn't. Due to no fault of their own, unusually a few people found altitude didn't particularly agree with them. So after Lobsang and I had climbed a 6000m peak, then a bunch of us climbed Tengkoma, and Wanda and I saw a snow leopard, we headed out to Taplejung early and completely changed the itinerary. We are probably the most adaptable trekking company... We trekked out the wonderful middle hills route to Tumlingtar, a route that will soon have a road along it.
Kanchenjunga Magic & Tengkoma climb 6215mHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; an ancient culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the north base camp where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. But wait, as if that isn't enough, we also have an optional climb of Tengkoma, a straightforward climb. Dates: 26 Mar-22 Apr, 28 days. Service: expedition style.
Leader: Joel Schone. Cost: US$2120. Status: full. See below... Kanchenjunga NSW *exploratoryIs it co-incidence that the trip is 42 days or is there a deeper meaning? Yep, meaning enough time for the north and south base camps and the west. West? We explore west to the base of the 'Chewbacca La' (for Starwars fans), a valley begging for exploration. Dates: 26 Mar-6 May, 42 days. Services: Mixed expedition and
light expedition style. Although most people enjoyed the trek, and several have trekked with us again, I still have regrets - we could have done better with this very diverse group. It didn't help that Dave was sick for the first part of the trek or that the weather was shite - no Tengkoma summit. But they did see snow leopard prints and have many enjoyable evenings. Note that Jamie went to Cho Oyu on short notice.
2000Kanchenjunga Magic & Tengkoma climb 6215mHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; an ancient culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the north base camp where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. But wait, as if that isn't enough, we also have an optional climb of Tengkoma, a straightforward climb. Dates: 30 Oct - 26 Nov 2000, 28 days. Service: expedition
style. Leader: Joel Schone. Cost: US$2360.
'Move with the rhythm of the mountain. if you move too fast, the mountain will slow you down.' Bob Peltier Joel: Amazed to be going back to East Nepal a year later, and I was blown away again by the awesome walk in. After last year's 11 trekkers, I was pleased to have four, who were already friends, and remained so, and welcomed me without reservation in to the fold. Further, they proved to be the unfussiest group in Himalayan trekking history, Dal Bhaat being the most popular choice of meal. By request we took the same crew from the Langtang, where I had perfected their breakfasts (Spanish omelette, pancakes, porridge, fried spam, Starbucks coffee...and myself, orange tang on cornflakes, try it!) and despite Wes's food fantasies we stayed well fed. Bob R would have appropriate readings for the good of our trekking souls each night, and Bob P some of his own. Clem kept us entertained not just by getting lost but with stories of his weird dog (sorry Clem) and Wes kept me creased up with stories of growing up in what sounded like lake Woebegon, his 'explosive' childhood. Anything to stop Bob R getting musical! The best of company. This is meant to be about trekking... and trekking is actually, at least with us, is more a social then a physical thing. We followed the itinerary and Dawa, our Everest super-climber, to Tengkoma high camp, put in by the best team of porters in Nepal, and Dawa strung our prayer flags and in the early hours solemnly invoked a blessing (puja) as the sun picked out our peak above us. Wes listened out on the radio as Dawa took a new route up a snow free gully of unstable rock to the shoulder, then it was up the rocks, really feeling the altitude to the dome of Tengkoma. Less snow than last year meant we could take a snow route on the final ridge (Bob R and Dawa going with crampons), Clem and I the rock route. A year on and a year older, I knocked an hour off last years time! Dawa put up a cairn - for next years prayer flags - and then the long downhill, arriving in the dark to warm congrats from Bob P, and next morning, the luxury of radioing down our breakfast requests. Then the laughing, dancing porters who hugged hug us with delight after our summit. The walk out? Memories of long days, aching limbs, through the lovely Rai and Limbu villages, smiling faces peering from windows, and loving a place so much that I wanted everybody I ever knew and cared for to share it with me. It really was that good. Kanchenjunga Double MagicThe temptation is just too much, we visit both the south and then the north base camps of the massive Kanchenjunga, and even the show-stealing Jannu base camp. Unsullied culture, deep forests and those huge open alpine valleys, quite simply Nepal at its best. A private trip. Team: Trish** and Laurie. Sirdar: Small Dendi. 1999Kanchenjunga Magic & Tengkoma climb 6215mHuge rewards for those intrepid enough; an ancient culture and scenery to rival the Everest region. A classic trek, classic expedition style from the middle hills to the north base camp where avalanches rumble and glaciers groan on the world's #3. But wait - there have been several special peaks announced for the Kanchenjunga region, so we also attempt the most straightforward, Tengkoma. Combined with the Kanchenjunga Wild trip below, this was a full trip with 12 members! Soon it became obvious that William, the co-leader, was not the right person to lead a trek (see the newsletter) and he ditched himself. After that we had someone for the butt of all our jokes and it was a very social and fun trek. An untimely fall of snow delayed us so people for the Tengkoma climb had to forgo it, leaving it to the expedition team.
Kanchenjunga Wild Climbs - *exploratoryHigh and Wild, Wild, Wild! The region offers the best high altitude exploration anywhere in Nepal - no bull, just yaks - and many valleys begging for exploration. And many peaks. For 1999 only, for those with the know-how Tengkoma 6215m, Ramtang 6601m and Dromo 6855m can be climbed with the minimum bureaucracy. In addition to some rampant exploring to get acclimatized, we aim to get up Tengkoma and at least one of the others... So it was left to us to climb Tengkoma, and 8 out of 8 did! Ramthang and the main peak of Dromo were scary mountains and the previous huge fall of snow made conditions difficult, so 5 of us attempted what we will call "Dromo North" but after 3 days on a glacier we were still not even at the base of it. In better conditions it would be a fine 6400m peak. Meanwhile a few people explored up a long valley but the still deep snow stopped them. So Dave, Joel and Jamie are more determined than ever to thoroughly explore the region - join us in April 2001! Dates: 11 Oct-17 Nov 99, 38 days. Services: Mixed expedition style and light expedition style, max 8 climbers. Leaders: Jamie McGuinness and William Davidson. Cost: US$2480. Makalu High - *exploratoryMore of the wild stuff, two 6100m passes followed by a 5700m pass. The hardcore from the Kanchenjunga Wild Climbs were hard - five of us trekked together for 10 weeks! After some classic middle hills trekking it was back it the snow again. Conditions were too challenging to make the crossing safe so we returned, perhaps the only trekkers to have trekked Makalu Base Camp to Tumlingtar in plastic boots. I told you we were hard. See the newsletter section for more details. Team members: Jamie, Joel, Martin*, Gary*, Sam*. Sirdar-cook: Ang Dami. 1997Wild Kanchenjunga - *exploratory trekWinter Adventure to Kanchenjunga base camp. You gotta be crazy! Yep. Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and the trek there is tough but very rewarding. This is a super-budget trek. And WILD it was! The weather was kind, fine every day and no snow up there. The wind only flattened our tent once. Quite simply the north side of Kanchenjunga offers some of the best high altitude exploring anywhere. Jannu North Base Camp and its north face has to be see to be believed; this alone was worth the whole trek, but it just kept on going and going. Endless valleys, and try as we might in five weeks we only had time to explore a few. There are many more left. Kanchenjunga's north face is also spectacular, and we managed to find a 6000m viewpoint not far from Pangpema. We also crossed Sallale to visit the south base camp region. Scenic, but the north side is better... Rodney and myself were completely blown away at what a fantastic experience the whole thing was. Dates: 7 Feb - 14 Mar 97. Service: Light expedition style.
Leader: Jamie McGuinness. Cost: US$1390.
jdesign -- all rights reserved -- 2008 |
Dates:
11 Oct - 4 Nov 99, 26 days. Service: expedition style. Leaders: Jamie
McGuinness and William Davidson. Cost: US$1980.