Trekking in Nepal
Discussion
I’ve been lucky enough to go independently trekking in Nepal on 3 occasions, the last being back in 2000 (where does the time go?). Anyway, I’m thinking about mustering a group again for the spring next year.
Has anybody here been to the Everest region recently? With all the recent troubles in Nepal I was wondering if the trails were particularly quiet. I’ve previously gone in the spring because I don’t like the idea of the crowds in the popular autumn season.
Has anybody here been to the Everest region recently? With all the recent troubles in Nepal I was wondering if the trails were particularly quiet. I’ve previously gone in the spring because I don’t like the idea of the crowds in the popular autumn season.
last there in mid/late November 06 when a couple of mates and I were in to climb Ama Dablam in the post season (the year of the serac collapse killing 6)
Trails reasonably quiet at that time of year. The Maoists were in residence at the main wire bridge over the Dudh Kosi after leaving Lukla and before getting to the entrance to the park. They were taking their "fee" based on a per day rate (we told them we were just trekking and paid for two weeks instead of the four we were up there for!). On our return they were gone which tells you something about the volumes of trekkers - they had decided it wasn't worth manning the barriers!
Of course, that will all have changed by now.
More generally, I sympathise with the concern over crowds.....some of the usual camping spots, with Thyangboche monastry in particular, seem to be getting in a worse state over the two times I've been up that way in the last 8 years.
I'm sure you know this already, but I much prefer the route up to Gokyo lakes to the Everest valley. You can cross over the Cho La pass from Gokyo to Everest to make up a nice circular route (haven't done it) and I believe it can be done by relative novices with litte/no crampon experience but that's obviously a judgement call.
I haven't been in Spring. Will be interest to hear other replies to this.
Trails reasonably quiet at that time of year. The Maoists were in residence at the main wire bridge over the Dudh Kosi after leaving Lukla and before getting to the entrance to the park. They were taking their "fee" based on a per day rate (we told them we were just trekking and paid for two weeks instead of the four we were up there for!). On our return they were gone which tells you something about the volumes of trekkers - they had decided it wasn't worth manning the barriers!
Of course, that will all have changed by now.
More generally, I sympathise with the concern over crowds.....some of the usual camping spots, with Thyangboche monastry in particular, seem to be getting in a worse state over the two times I've been up that way in the last 8 years.
I'm sure you know this already, but I much prefer the route up to Gokyo lakes to the Everest valley. You can cross over the Cho La pass from Gokyo to Everest to make up a nice circular route (haven't done it) and I believe it can be done by relative novices with litte/no crampon experience but that's obviously a judgement call.
I haven't been in Spring. Will be interest to hear other replies to this.
I was there last October on the normal touristy route to Everest base camp/Kala Pattar. The Maoists had a checkpoint at the entrance to the park to collect fees and the place was heaving when we were there. Trails were dead busy - loads of Chinese, Italians, Germans and Australians. Other than the entrance to the park you'd have been pushed to know anything political was going on.
mcgus said:
last there in mid/late November 06 when a couple of mates and I were in to climb Ama Dablam in the post season (the year of the serac collapse killing 6)
Trails reasonably quiet at that time of year. The Maoists were in residence at the main wire bridge over the Dudh Kosi after leaving Lukla and before getting to the entrance to the park. They were taking their "fee" based on a per day rate (we told them we were just trekking and paid for two weeks instead of the four we were up there for!). On our return they were gone which tells you something about the volumes of trekkers - they had decided it wasn't worth manning the barriers!
Of course, that will all have changed by now.
More generally, I sympathise with the concern over crowds.....some of the usual camping spots, with Thyangboche monastry in particular, seem to be getting in a worse state over the two times I've been up that way in the last 8 years.
I'm sure you know this already, but I much prefer the route up to Gokyo lakes to the Everest valley. You can cross over the Cho La pass from Gokyo to Everest to make up a nice circular route (haven't done it) and I believe it can be done by relative novices with litte/no crampon experience but that's obviously a judgement call.
I haven't been in Spring. Will be interest to hear other replies to this.
Goyko is where I will be going! :-) My last trip was to Goyko and over the pass but I had to abandon because one of the guys got bad AMS and the others were not happy to continue while I took him down.Trails reasonably quiet at that time of year. The Maoists were in residence at the main wire bridge over the Dudh Kosi after leaving Lukla and before getting to the entrance to the park. They were taking their "fee" based on a per day rate (we told them we were just trekking and paid for two weeks instead of the four we were up there for!). On our return they were gone which tells you something about the volumes of trekkers - they had decided it wasn't worth manning the barriers!
Of course, that will all have changed by now.
More generally, I sympathise with the concern over crowds.....some of the usual camping spots, with Thyangboche monastry in particular, seem to be getting in a worse state over the two times I've been up that way in the last 8 years.
I'm sure you know this already, but I much prefer the route up to Gokyo lakes to the Everest valley. You can cross over the Cho La pass from Gokyo to Everest to make up a nice circular route (haven't done it) and I believe it can be done by relative novices with litte/no crampon experience but that's obviously a judgement call.
I haven't been in Spring. Will be interest to hear other replies to this.
I first went to the Everest region in 94 and was quite shocked how it had changed by 2000. There were at least 8 times as many tea houses and hostels. If i did not have unfinnished business at Goyko I'd be tempted to leave Everest alone. :-(
Tvrtastic7 said:
Goyko is where I will be going! :-) My last trip was to Goyko and over the pass but I had to abandon because one of the guys got bad AMS and the others were not happy to continue while I took him down.
I first went to the Everest region in 94 and was quite shocked how it had changed by 2000. There were at least 8 times as many tea houses and hostels. If i did not have unfinnished business at Goyko I'd be tempted to leave Everest alone. :-(
are you MIC or IML qualified? leading groups?I first went to the Everest region in 94 and was quite shocked how it had changed by 2000. There were at least 8 times as many tea houses and hostels. If i did not have unfinnished business at Goyko I'd be tempted to leave Everest alone. :-(
My Brother is there now, he is part of the first team ever to parachute onto the mountain!!
www.skydiveeverest.com
Crazy Fool!!
Bubba
www.skydiveeverest.com
Crazy Fool!!
Bubba
mcgus said:
Tvrtastic7 said:
Goyko is where I will be going! :-) My last trip was to Goyko and over the pass but I had to abandon because one of the guys got bad AMS and the others were not happy to continue while I took him down.
I first went to the Everest region in 94 and was quite shocked how it had changed by 2000. There were at least 8 times as many tea houses and hostels. If i did not have unfinnished business at Goyko I'd be tempted to leave Everest alone. :-(
are you MIC or IML qualified? leading groups?I first went to the Everest region in 94 and was quite shocked how it had changed by 2000. There were at least 8 times as many tea houses and hostels. If i did not have unfinnished business at Goyko I'd be tempted to leave Everest alone. :-(
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff