In Nepal

[achtung7]

My friend and I opted to do the trek without porters or guide, we had backpacks of about 15kg each, after the third day, we were more or less accustomed to the load. Depending on your load or budget or goals, you can consider hiring a porter.

I had 13kg pack then without water.. met a Japanese guy on the 2nd day of the trek and we travelled as a group thereafter. He just had a daypack and it weigh no more than 6kg, but he doesnt have cameras or any luxury items... we were slower than him all the time and he is 20+ yrs our senior, at 50+. So i learnt my lesson then to reduce non-essential weight as much as possible.. on my next trip, I plan to carry a 10kg pack at max... so that I can enjoy the trek... anyway.. a better gauge would be the pack as a percentage of your bodyweight.. at 13kg, it was 20+% for me.. a bit on the high side i feel...

 

[ahbian]

I had 13kg pack then without water.. met a Japanese guy on the 2nd day of the trek and we travelled as a group thereafter. He just had a daypack and it weigh no more than 6kg, but he doesnt have cameras or any luxury items... we were slower than him all the time and he is 20+ yrs our senior, at 50+. So i learnt my lesson then to reduce non-essential weight as much as possible.. on my next trip, I plan to carry a 10kg pack at max... so that I can enjoy the trek... anyway.. a better gauge would be the pack as a percentage of your bodyweight.. at 13kg, it was 20+% for me.. a bit on the high side i feel...

Yup, a heavy bag takes away much of the enjoyment. My camera stuff itself made up for quite a bit of the total weight (around 4kg) Plus the down sleeping bag and down jacket and at least 1 litre of water.

Without the above, my bag was really light, but unfortunately, I can't do away with any of them.

I was 61 kg at the start of the trek, dropped at least 2 kg at the end of the trek. :sweat:

 

[ahbian]

The Chitwan set is nice , love the mist

Thanks.

All three mornings when I was there were really misty; a lot of opportunities for photo taking.

The next is taken at sunrise, not a posed shot, got lucky with the timing.

#48

 

[ahbian]

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

#49

 

[Sivakis]

Hi ahbian.

Love the photos!

I'm also planning a hike to ABC in October this year! Getting my wife to start conditioning in May/June for that - we're used to 7-10km walks but gotta start preparing for the undulating terrain.

The guide that we're talking to has advised us to prepare the following:
01= Warm Sleeping Bag
02= Warm flees Jacket
03= Long Johns
04= Woolen or flees Trousers
05= Woolen Shirt or Sweater
06= Warm woolen & light Hats
07= Warm scarf
08= Raincoat or Windbreaker Jacket
09= Sun Hats
10= Sun Glasses
11= Light shoes
12= Trekking Boots
13= Water/Wind proof Trouser
14= Stick (folding) pair
15= Hand gloves
16= Tissue paper
17= Flash Light (One Extra)
18= Dust Mask
19= Utility Knife
20= Suns Cream
21= Medicine box
22= Bandage
23= Some extra light T-shirt for low altitude
24= Water Bottle
25= Warm and light sucks (few extra)
26= Some Light Trouser for low altitude
27= Kid bags or big Rucksack
28= Sandal
29= Some Shampoo or washing shop
30= Some Towels
31= Lip Gloss


Not sure if we're gonna want to spend a night up at ABC, I heard it gets down to approx 0-4 degrees. Can I ask - for some of the items like Warm Fleece Jacket, is it better to get in Pokhara? Thinking of not wanting to bring too much there, maybe rent at Pokhara some Northface (or others) gear instead of lugging there, then return when done.

Hoping I can come close to taking photos as stunning as yours

 

[ahbian]

Hi ahbian.

Love the photos!

I'm also planning a hike to ABC in October this year! Getting my wife to start conditioning in May/June for that - we're used to 7-10km walks but gotta start preparing for the undulating terrain.

The guide that we're talking to has advised us to prepare the following:


Not sure if we're gonna want to spend a night up at ABC, I heard it gets down to approx 0-4 degrees. Can I ask - for some of the items like Warm Fleece Jacket, is it better to get in Pokhara? Thinking of not wanting to bring too much there, maybe rent at Pokhara some Northface (or others) gear instead of lugging there, then return when done.

Hi,

The list provided by your guide would be quite adequate, any more or less would depend on your level of comfort and whether you hire a porter.

If you look at the photo #49, the person on the left is more or less how we dressed throughout the trek. Sun hat + long sleeves means less areas needed for sunscreen.

Sunglasses is essential when you reach the base camp, the glare off the snow can make your eyes quite uncomfortable.

Is your guide paid on a daily rate or a flat fee? Guides that belong to the latter group sometimes rush they clients at a fast pace, and discourage staying over at the base camp itself. Personally, I enjoyed the overnight stay at base camp, the sunset and sunrise were the most beautiful among all other stops. But that is your decision.

I would advise renting the down jacket and down sleeping bag and walking sticks when you reach Pokhara. The total rental rate (sleeping bag, jacket and walking sticks) is less than $3 per day.

Feel free to let me know if there is any other info you require, I'll be glad to help if I can.

Looking forward to your posts on the trip. With the views up there, I'm sure you will return with many good pictures.

 

[ahbian]

Paragliding in Pokhara, forgot to remove the CPL before the flight, resulting in quite obvious flares.

Pokhara city is on the left, the lake on its right is lake Phewa, the 2nd largest lake in Nepal.

A one hour flight costs around $170 SGD.

#50

#51

 

[COBALT]

Nice photos and great commentary! Thanks for sharing these with us!

 

[ahbian]

Nice photos and great commentary! Thanks for sharing these with us!

Thanks!

I think I have almost reached the last of my photos.

Sunset and Moonrise over Chitwan

#52