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Why Nepal is the world’s best destination for solo trekking

That’s the sub-title of an August 2012 post by Mark Horrell:

Mark

So the government of Nepal has u-turned on a decision made earlier this year to ban solo trekking in the country. It’s a victory for common sense. Nepal is currently the best place in the world for solo trekking, and to ban it would have been a bit like the Jamaican Olympic team forgetting to register their athletes for the 100 metres. …

The ban was supposedly intended for security reasons after the decapitated remains of a female Belgian trekker were found in the Langtang region in June. This followed a number of other incidents involving solo trekkers in the area.

But leaving aside arguments that a solo trekking ban punishes the victims rather than targets the criminals, not everyone thinks security was the only consideration behind the decision. TAAN represents trekking agencies who provide porters, guides and logistics to trekkers. The biggest cash cow for agencies are organised trekking groups with many clients, and some independent travel bloggers have suggested the government may have been under pressure from organisations such as TAAN to implement a solo trekking ban in the misguided belief that it would encourage solo trekkers to hire guides or sign up for group treks instead.

A ban on solo trekking would certainly have been bad for Nepal’s tourism industry …

Why Nepal is the world’s best destination for solo trekking

I hiked Everest independently in 2009. No problem.

But there’s some Nepali confusion in 2013 as to exactly where one can trek independently. And where you can trek solo.

If I get to Nepal in November I’ll check current regulations in Kathmandu. Most likely end up starting independently and solo in Langtang & Helambu.

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Pacific Crest Trail Days – Sept 6-8

From September 6-8, 2013 the 7th annual Pacific Crest Trail Days will take place in Cascade Locks, Oregon!

PCT DAYS 2013 is a great time for people to check out the latest outdoor products and gear, participate in classes and activities, play in the disc golf tournament, visit with old and new friends, listen to music & watch movies, and celebrate the past, present and future of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The event site is bordered by the Columbia River and surrounded by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; an area where the Pacific Crest Trail and other trails offer access to some of the most beautiful scenery in Pacific Northwest. …

PCTDays2013colorflyer

read more on PCTA.org

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How to talk to your daughter about her body

This blog post by Sarah is going NUTS online. Already 700+ comments as I post.

… step one: don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.

If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead:

“You look so healthy!” is a great one.

Or how about, “you’re looking so strong.”

“I can see how happy you are – you’re glowing.”

read more …

Sarah

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researching Manaslu Circuit

The Manaslu Trek (or Manaslu Circuit Trek) is a 14-day tea-house trek which circumnavigates the 8th highest peak in the world (8,156 m). …

map

The trek is much easier than it used to be with greatly improved trails along the Budi Gandaki river gorge. In terms of difficulty, it is comparable with the Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. Its highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular unhindered views of Manaslu.

Just over 2,000 people complete the trek per year with more than half visiting in October. This is substantially fewer than visiting Annapurna, Everest or Langtang. There are two main reason for the fewer numbers.

The first reason is that the trek used to require camping, as there were too few tea-houses …

The second reason is that the trek has restricted area status. This means it requires a special permit … that the group have two or more members and that a registered trekking guide accompanies the group.

wikitravel

I’d like the option to trek alone. Therefore, Manaslu is probably out … though I’ll double check if and when I go to Nepal in November.

Some hikers with permits manage to do it independently.

Man

The best website I’ve found is Manaslu Circuit Trek.

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Alaska swarming in mosquitoes

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… So why is Krause, a student at the University of California, Davis, subjecting himself to these swarms of monstrous, hungry bugs in Alaska?

He’s actually studying how birds react to seasons. In this case, he’s looking at how climate change could affect when spring arrives at the North Slope and how that will affect the birds that migrate there. …

Luckily, this year’s mosquito season might be on its last legs. Alaska.org reports that mosquitoes are “only really an issue for Alaska visitors from the second week in June to the last week in July.

Mother Nature

See how Koby Kirk defended himself from flying vampires with his Buff.

And check midges plastered on Brad “MrFox” White’s vehicle in Oregon. Yeesh.

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Nanda Devi hiking research

Nanda Devi (Hindi: नन्दा देवी पर्वत) is the second highest mountain in India and the highest entirely within the country …

Currently, Nanda Devi forms the core of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (which includes Nanda Devi National Park), declared by the Indian government in 1982. In 1988, Nanda Devi National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site …

So far I’m liking the Milam Glacier & Nandi Devi trek (as described in Lonely Planet) with possible 3 day sidetrip to East Base Camp.

click for LARGER versions
click for LARGER versions

If things worked out perfectly, I’d take the challenging alternative route back via the Ralam Dhura.

Biggest logistical challenge is getting to the trailhead at Munsyari. It’s about 12 hours by bus to Bageshwar. And 3 hours from there to Almora.

It’s one of the most expensive places in the Himalaya to hire help, as well.

MIGHT be a good idea to sign on with a trekking group for Nandi Devi, I’m thinking.

Leave a comment if you’ve been there. 🙂

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Ladahk trekking research …

I bought two books:


Cicerone Trekking in Ladakh

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya

Looks fantastic.

Mid-October I’ll fly Delhi Leh 3524 metres (11,562 ft) in Ladahk. Spend some days acclimatizing to altitude.

View_of_Leh_from_Shanti_Stupa

Most likely start with the Markha Valley Trek, carrying my own food, tent and pack.

Any advice for me?

… Leave a comment.

*****

Now the BAD news … 😦

The end of guide books? Lonely Planet lays off one-third of editorial staff

lonelyplanet

Venerable travel guide brand Lonely Planet, which has bounced from owner to owner in recent years, just announced some bad news: They’re slashing staff on three continents and getting rid of much of their content staff. Almost 100 jobs were slashed in Melbourne, Australia alone, and additional layoffs were made at Lonely Planet’s London and Oakland offices. …

Update: According to an email from a Lonely Planet publicist, “Print will continue to be part of the mix” for the company.

END OF AN ERA: LONELY PLANET SLASHES CONTENT JOBS

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amazing GERMAN sky, not Irish

I was bamboozled. … Sorry about that.

original post:

Google Earth Pics:

Heavens Trail – A place in Ireland where every two years the stars line up with this path

Ireland sky

Photographer Thomas Zimmer tells the true story:

… It was at the west coast of the island Sylt, North Sea. …

That’s Germany, not Ireland.

I walked over the dunes and took the wooden stairs down. I took a last look back. An amazing view showed up. The Milky Way was right above the stairs. But I was so exhausted, hungry and cold. I almost wanted to give up, but then I made a last effort, and tried a final shot.

It looked good, but something was missing there. I first tried to light up the stairs with the flashlight. Looked better, but not what I wanted. It needed a human being in the image. Unfortunately, nobody was there for miles except me. So i set up the self timer, fired it and run up the stairs with the flashlight on. On top, I shut off the light and tried to stand still for 30 seconds, the exposure time. …

The making of „My God, it’s full of stars“

Thanks Dana.