Fiordland or Nepal??
Original post
* Note: Posted in The Campfire as opposed to Tracks etc, as it doesn't specifically pertain to NZ tracks....
Well, it seems as though I won't be going on Survivor. Haven't heard anything, and probably should have by now. Will need to make a better video for next year.
So, faced with a decision as to what to do over the winter months (May to August).....
I've thought about South America, as previously mentioned, but I'm inclined to tack that onto next year's Alaska/Canada trip to make one epic adventure.
So the options that most appeal to me are (no particular order):
1. Complete remaining Great Walks (and do the not-yet-ready Pike 29 Memorial Great Walk), as well as a few fairly decent tramps (Dusky; North West/Southern Circuits of Stewart Island; George Sound; Hollyford/Pyke loop, any others I can fit in).
2. Spend the entire winter in Fiordland. Do the aforementioned Fiordland Tracks, plus some off-track stuff, including packrafting, fishing, a bit of hunting.
3. Go to Nepal for between 2 and 3 months, trekking to my heart's content! (Plus a bit of whitewater rafting, and of course cultural experiences thrown in for good measure).
Things to take into account:
1. I work for Real Journeys, so transport to most of the Fiordland tracks (and Stewart Island) would be free.
2. I'm aware that I'm endeavouring to undertake these Fiordland/SI options on the fringe of/in the middle of winter.
3. Cost will be roughly the same. I have a hut pass, tent, and sleep in my car when needed, so accommodation is sorted for options 1 & 2. But fuel is expensive. Food here is a LOT more expensive than Nepal! Can comfortably live on $40-50 a day in Nepal, including accommodation/travel expenses etc. (Minus airfares, which will be about $1200).
4. Options 1 & 2 would allow me to supplement with some income (I'm pretty sure RJs are keen to offer me a casual winter contract, for starters).
5. I can only be out of NZ for x number of days (about 4 months) in each calendar year for the next two years in order to remain eligible for citizenship. So I would go to Nepal for 3 months max, meaning I can work an extra month before going.
6. I didn't do my tax return last year, and know I'm owed about $600. This year should be the same or better.
7. Regardless of anything (logistics/cost etc), 2017 MUST be epic! :D
Any thoughts? Advice? Anyone with extensive experience trekking/traveling in Nepal?
I think for either of these options $5-6K in total should be sufficient for 3-4 months of adventures (until work starts up again in September). At any rate, it can't be more than that, because that's the maximum I'll have. :D
I need to decide by Wednesday night. This fortnight's pay is either going on my credit card or flights. ;)
Cheers in advance for your thoughts/advice!
81 comments
Hutch, when do you fly out of Kathmandu? Our paths just might cross. Would be good to meet up for a beer if possible. :)
AMS is a real simple science. No more than 400m of vertical climbing a day and a rest day every few days. On your rest day do an acclimatisation climb. Here's what I did for my 3 passes trek.
Day 1 Fly to lukla. Hike to Phakding.
Day 2 namche bazaar.
Day 3 rest day day hike to khumjung.
Day 4 pangboche
Day 5 chukkung (mild headache)
Day 6 rest day hike to chukkung ri
Day 7 lobouche via kangMa la
Day 8 gorak shep and EBC
Day 9 kala pattar leave as early as possible to get sunrise and
Beat the crowds EBC
Day 10 kala pattar again then down to dzongla
Day 11 Gokyo via cho la pass (best day of trek)
Day 12 Gokyo ri (fantastic viewpoint)
Day 13 thame via rengo la
Day 14 namche bazaar for a much needed rice wine shower
And trinket shop.
Day 15 lukla and flight back.
Correction there was a night in dingbouche between pangboche and chukkung.
It's easy to swap flights back to Kathmandu you can easily swap tickets to suit you which is what I did for no extra cost just ask a lodge owner to help you in lukla. Refrain from eating meat in the Sherpa Kingdom as they are vegetarian and just remember that meat has been carried up from the lowlands and is rank. Just get the all you can eat vege thali. Just ask for seconds of rice and curry when they walk past.
Kathmandu is a sensory overload . Thamel is a got place to start for a day or two. Super cheap rooms, foodand beer. You must register downtown and organise a tims card if doing it alone. They will not let you trek without a tims card.
Once back from the EBC (if you choose to do this) head to pokhara a lovely lakeside city great to base yourself for the Annapurna and has the best white water too.
Man makes me wanna head back but bubs can't handle the altitude.
Cheers for all that Gaiters! Really appreciate it!! I knew there were two routes to Everest, and had in mind to do it in a 'loop', which looks like what you did, yeah? I reckon I'd follow your trip pretty closely.
Whilst perusing potential treks for my upcoming trip to Nepal, I came across this.....
The Great Himalaya Trail.
Whilst this is clearly not an option for this trip (I only have 9 weeks, not 6 months, and need to improve both skills and fitness before tackling it), the 1700km long, high-route Nepal section of the Great Himalaya Trail has now jumped to the very, very top of my tramping bucket list!!
I thought about doing it next year for my 40th, instead of going to Alaska as planned, but can't if I want to maintain eligibility for NZ citizenship.
So instead, I reckon it will be my way of celebrating obtaining NZ citizenship and passport.
So I have two years to literally train my freakin' arse off! :)
Kreig,
Well done on your arrangements and I hope it all works out for you.
Enjoy and be safe mate
Back to honoras post though,gotta agree with wayno...that was way off base and was strangely off topic
When people start on about individuals travelling by air and trying a guilt trip about greenhouse emissions I roll my eyes and go......
.
.........
I reckon Honora is probably the most experienced tramper here. And she has taken the time to give me loads of time and advice both publicly and privately. I respect her greatly; she has never offended me. Not once. Hasn't offended me this time either. I get where she was coming from. These may be public forums, but this is my thread. Please don't attack Honora. Just joun me in my enthusiasm for my upcoming treks in Nepal, or don't. All good. But enough berating of Honora please. Cheers! :)
Honora is always gracious and informed with her comments.
She's not a half bad phlebotomist either....painless
10/10 last time ;)
@Kreig - 2 words
LUCKY BUGGER!
I was in Nepal 24 years ago and Pokhara was still just a large village. I saw pictures of it on a Choice TV doco recently and it seems to have exploded. Hopefully it's still got its lakeside charm.
Kathmandu was a bit of a polluted hole frankly, and I'm sure it's worse now.
Get what you need and get out!
It's only saving grace was Tuborg beer and a little German bakery out by the Ring Rd somewhere.
Hi Kreig I noticed you used the word probably but it's a big call to say, "Honora is probably the most experienced tramper here" when you don't know the back grounds of many of the posters. Honora is certainly up there but I can think of some posters with similar or more experience especially if taking in to consideration the total time spent tramping/working in the back country and their coverage of NZ. I'm a big fan of Honora and Frank and the work they do. I'd vote Honora the poster I most enjoy reading on here!
Ive been to Nepal a few times now. I 1st went to Everest base camp about 30 years ago and it was crowed then. Annapurna circuit now has a road just about all the way around it. Kanchenjunga or the Manaslu Circuit Trek is where I plan to go next. Not so developed and not crowded with tourists. The last time I went was the 1st time I have hired a guide and I would hire one the next time I go as well it just made everything so much easier.
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| Started by | Kreig |
| On | 28 February 2017 |
| Replies | 80 |
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