My kids researched altitude sickness and tried to answer that question " What is Altitude Sickness?" by creating a blog post. We're off to Everest Base Camp again soon and this was a little "school" project for them. I studied physiology in university, so I've got a reasonable handle on this but I thought the kids, and maybe a few readers, might appreciate some simple … [Read more...]
How Fit Do You Need to Be to Trek the Himalayas?
It may surprise you to know that you don't need to be Ironman fit (as I am) to trek in the Himalayas. You won't want to be a couch potato either, but the average person should do fine up there with no training needed. My wife has been up twice, at 52 and in her mid 30s. My kids have been up there at 9 and 11. Fitness really isn't a major issue and do you need to train for this … [Read more...]
Trekking Watches. Best Choices for Your Trek
Trekking watches have made huge advances in the last 5 years. With the invention and continued improvement of GPS based watches they are now more accessible to more people. You can still get great trekking watches without GPS capabilities and I've listed a few favourites below but for me the best trekking watchs should have GPS capabilities along with the usual features for … [Read more...]
Best Head Torches and Do You Need One?
Head torches are a must for many types of travel, hiking, camping, trekking, fishing and daily life. Situations will pop up that require the need for not just a phone torch but a good head torch. Sure, most phones these days have built in flashlights, but they won't do the job in a lot of situations plus you may not want to wave your $500 iPhone around all the time, … [Read more...]
The Bus from Phaplu to Kathmandu
I posted already about the various ways of getting to and from Lukla from Kathmandu, Nepal. Flying into Lukla isn't the only way to start your Everest region or Everest Base Camp trek, there are various bus, jeep and walk options. We feel that flying is the best way to go based on our experience, because we've done it 2 ways. We flew into Lukla to start our Everest trek and at … [Read more...]
Khumjung. The Yeti Skull at Khumjung Monastery & The Hillary School, Nepal
On our return trek from Tengboche Monastery we took a different route to Namche Bazaar to take in some important locations and stunning Himalayan view points. A major highlight for us was being granted admission to the ancient monastery at Khumjung and being allowed to see a fascinating sacred relic kept under lock and key. Khumjung Village itself is also well worth a look as … [Read more...]
The Trek from Lukla to Tengboche Monastery with my 11 Year-Old
A few days ago somebody on social media asked me what my favorite, all time, travel memory was. Without hesitation I told the lady-of-travel that it was the time I trekked to Tengboche Monastery ( via Lukla and Namche Bazaar) with my son, then 11 years old. I added a footnote, that I doubted he would agree. I was curious though so I interrupted his online gaming to ask him his … [Read more...]
Fear and Panic on the Everest Trek. Scary Bridges!
I've posted already about how much we loved the experience of trekking in Nepal's Everest region, so don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way. Just because I was scared half to death regularly and frequently by the scariest of scary bridges ( and the odd path with precipitous drops, mud slides and general precariousness) and just because I *may* have been reduced to tears … [Read more...]
Nepal with Kids-Altitude, Attitude and Ailments.
If I told you Nepal with kids was easy, I'd been lying. Nepal has been the most challenging place we've ever taken the children, and that includes India, but it's been worth it 1 million times over. They got sick less in India and didn't have to climb any mountains. So here for you, in case you're as crazy as us, is our run down on why Nepal with kids is the best of ideas, and … [Read more...]
Kathmandu to Lukla, Flight to the World’s Most Dangerous Airport.
Lukla is where most Everest region treks start and Lukla Airport - Tenzing Hillary Airport - is ofted described as the most dangerous in the world. Lukla is in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal at an altitude of 2,860m. The single, sloped runway started life in 1964, on the initiative of Sir Edmund Hillary. Due to the difficulties of successfully landing at the airport … [Read more...]