In Nepal

[r00ki3]

Awesome landscape pics. Really enjoyed viewing them, knowing the fact that you captured the LE images without a tripod!

 

[ahbian]

AWESOME photos of the ABC Trek. Well done, bro. :thumbsup:

Hope to see more of your Himalayan landscapes

Awesome landscape pics. Really enjoyed viewing them, knowing the fact that you captured the LE images without a tripod!

Thanks guys. Stay tuned for more pics of mountains and clouds and red jacket trekkers (I target them as they stand out against the snow).

Good weather permitting, the sceneries and light up there makes it easier for us to photograph.

The first two days or certain afternoons were pretty foggy, where you can't see any mountains. I will post up a sample to illustrate what I meant.

Thankfully, things cleared up later in the trek.

As for a tripod, I decided not to bring one to reduce the the weight and bulkiness of my backpack; but I can't deny it would make composition during the freezing nights easier and more flexible.

Not much of composition, but just an illustration of how fast the weather changes in the mountains.

From clear to foggy (and vice versa) in less than half an hour.

 

[ahbian]

#18
An often done shot of prayer flags and mountains

Below is a gorge at Annapurna base camp, carved out by retreating glaciers.

As a gauge of its depth, I estimate the seemingly "small pool of water" to be the size of at least 20 swimming pools.

#19

One trekker told me his guide said that not too many winters ago, one can still see glaciers inside these gorges. Another guide mentioned that the base camp might be in a different position after a few years, because the soil underneath is being flushed and soften by the water from the glacier.

 

[Scoop]

Very very nice Always enjoy your travel shots :thumbsup:

 

[Scoop]

Fantastic capture in #5

 

[ArcticFox]

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think the ABC trek is possible in the winter months? (Sounds like a stupid question; newbie here). Having climbed Mt. Kinabalu, is the ABC track of similar difficulty or harder?

 

[ahbian]

Fantastic capture in #5

Thanks, while the sceneries are wonderful in Nepal, I still have a soft spot for travel portraiture.

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think the ABC trek is possible in the winter months? (Sounds like a stupid question; newbie here). Having climbed Mt. Kinabalu, is the ABC track of similar difficulty or harder?

Unfortunately, I have never climbed Kinabalu. I think my friend did Kinabalu before, so I'll ask him for his inputs. If there are any CSers with info on this, feel free to add to the discussion.

The peak tourist season is around september to end october. Winter is from November to February, I did the trek in mid november, which is the tail end of the tourist season.

Doing the trek in winter has several advantages
1) higher chances of clear skies and dry weather
2) less tourist on the trekking routes
3) discounts on accommodation even in the cities

However, the temperature would of course be cold, which would mean you would need to carry a down jacket and sleeping bag during trekking. I only used the down jacket and bag when I reach the Annapurna Base Camp (temperature was estimated to be around minus eight or minus nine) , on other days, I got by with a fleece jacket.

 

[ahbian]

Sunrise at ABC, taken with a GND filter.

#20

 

[ahbian]

Along the trek, there were sections of steep and seemingly endless stairs.

You almost started to curse at them, but then you suddenly remembered the people who actually had the tougher job of having to build it.

#21

A stitched panorama, the flaws can be seen if you look closely, but hey, its just for fun!

#22

 

[ahbian]

#23
A quiet moment for two

 

[soulFLY]

#9

#10

#20

Truly beautiful especially #20, Fantastic landscape.

Good job and thought of using rock and toilet paper to prevent blur due to shutter shake with hard surface..

 

[ahbian]

Truly beautiful especially #20, Fantastic landscape.

Good job and thought of using rock and toilet paper to prevent blur due to shutter shake with hard surface..

Thanks for the vote. Add to the fact that the roll of toilet paper is slip resistant, it's served its purpose well enough. :bsmilie:

Some more sunset scenes at ABC

#21

#22

 

[ahbian]

As the sun rises, the band of light can be seen climbing across the west mountain walls.

#23

 

[limwhow]

#16


We cordially welcome to all the external and internal visitors to the panaramic (sic) spot Annapurna Basecamp. 4130 mtrs.

Footnote: You made it!

What a wonderful frame! ... And the perspective with the trekkers...
Marvelous!

 

[clioboy]

:thumbsup:

 

[ahbian]

:thumbsup:

What a wonderful frame! ... And the perspective with the trekkers...
Marvelous!

Thanks. The welcome sign was definitely the most morale boosting sight during the trek.

The next photo was one of the most memorable photos of my trip. It was the only night photo I managed at Annapurna Base Camp. It was a pity as this is such a scenic spot that deserves more than one photo.

Fighting the cold was easy, the tough part was the constant running away from the zealous dog that was patrolling the area.

#24

 

[sweeper]

#10 and #23 :thumbsup:

I like your landscape shots with people in the composition
got "feel"

 

[aloks]

Amazing shots my friend, thanks for sharing.

Regards
alok

 

[LowLights]

Very beautifully composited shots :thumbsup:

 

[ahbian]

#10 and #23 :thumbsup:

I like your landscape shots with people in the composition
got "feel"

Amazing shots my friend, thanks for sharing.

Regards
alok

Very beautifully composited shots :thumbsup:

Thanks guys for your encouragement

Moving away from mountains for a while...in case of overdose

#25
Traffic Jam on the trek

#26
Young herder