Kanchenjunga...

The Kanchenjunga trek...a recce to see if we could do it in a shorter time, with our India style; no long stops for lunch, and no cumbersome crew of pointless people dancing around like a bunch of 'Kansas city faggots' as Mel Brooks would say.

We did and we can! Thanks Sunil, Bob, Lobsang and Punsok!

Let My People Trek..

Images from an incredible summer...words to follow!

Images from the summer of 08...

Singge...

This summer for the first time Singge trekked with us as all round kitchen boy, horseman, and general good company person - after consultations with Lobsang and Tenpa, we took him on during a busy summer here, mainly because he was not happy jusy hanging out in his village for a few months. Today he left for Manali with our staff, on his way to school with a huge amount of new experiences and friends, not least on the second trek, which he dubbed the 'Fun girls'!!.

As soon as I get time in my slightly hectic schedule I will post more pictures and a full account of his adventures; along of course with details of the incredible new treks Lobsang and I and the guys have created for 2009, the 10th Anniversary of our coming together as a team...

Until then!

Joel

And so it begins...

The 2008 trekking season, that is, with a delightful walk through the Everest region with Fred Mauren on his 2nd trek with us...lovely weather, and the usual Sherpa welcome...some pictures...
Joel

VIETNAM

"All boulevards and brothels if I know the French Colonies"

Ritchie Hook

My generation were shaped by what some call the post imperial wars...and with my fascination with 'colonial' history I always wanted to see Vietnam, so here I am enjoying Hanoi and about to cycle down to Hue and the DMZ...it is wonderful so far, people so friendly (theres a backpacker comment!) and the food...with great coffee and fresh baked baguettes everywhere, time to get some exercise!

Yes, sadly over, now in bangkok and soon in Kathmandu, and off the Everest on monday...and if you have not been, do..Vietnam is truly a wonderful experience.

Joel

Jewel of the North...Sikkim

In over 20 years of Himalayan journey, I am constantly moved by the depth of experience as I move through the stunning kingdoms in the sky, the outposts of Tibetan culture in the high places of Central Asia...and 2008 has got off to an amazing start for me with a short visit to the valleys of Lachen and Lachung...settled originally in the 1600s by just seven families from Bhutan, they became farmers and yak herders - today the people of the Lachen own over 9000 yaks which still roam the high places of the trans himalaya.

Above, 'Plain of the Gods' camp after Lhaba La pass, and the young Ringpoche of Lachen. Below, Manish and Tega with the light relief. Above, Richard, Tinle, Tega and Tibet.

Our guide to both the remote trails and the Lachen festival which started our visit was the incomparable Tega, from a herding family...his father was recruited by Indian intelligence in 1960 to map the road building of the Chinese in Tibet...betrayed by the nomads he sheltered with to Chinese security, he was lucky to get away with a month in jail before they dumped him on the border with a backpack full of Maoist propoganda...a modern day Pundit!

So pictures, and watch the site for the trek...