Lived666 does Annapurna Trek - Nepal

[lived666]

Following on my trek last year to Everest Base Camp I decided to go back to Nepal again this year, mainly because, besides the surreal feeling of Nepal and the Himalayas, on that trip to EBC my wife couldn't join me, I went with my adult kids, and she had some serious FOMO, but me having short (and long term) memory issues and forgetting how hard the trek was, decided to go back to the region but this time to hit the Annapurna side, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapurna_Massif

Unlike EBC where I researched and planned for around 2 years, this time it was more like if I can save we can go and if not, not, well I managed to save so off we go. (more about costs later).

Those not familiar with Annapurna, it is considered possibly the dangerous of the 8000m peaks to climb. Anatoli Boukreev who was involved in the 1996 Everest disaster perished here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoli_Boukreev and is also the area with the worst trekking disaster in Nepal's history where 43 trekkers died in an off season freak snow storm 2014 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Nepal_snowstorm_disaster

Anyhow, we leave on the 24th Dec and if everything goes according to plan (as in no avalanches and freak snow storms ) back on the 6th Jan. Will post a bit more about the trek route later. Late December is considered off peak for trekking season due to the cold, can reach -minus a **** load, but way less people and on an ever-increasing destination, there is not much worse for me than trekking in a crowd.

Was supposed to hike this morning, busy building up stamina, but a tree fell on my wife's studio in that storm we had up here in JHB a few days ago and the builders are here to start rebuilding (Thank you outsurance for your efficient service, but that is another thread), so anyhow no training day, but more about the training later.

 

[The_Ogre]

All the best, man!

Maybe you should have a chat to @OMB he also hiked up to EBC with his wife - actually, thinking about it, I haven't seen him post in a while. Based on info from your post, you seem to be in the same age group.

Looking forward to the pics!

edit: he's still around
OMB
Mountain Man · 56 · From right here
Last seen Oct 30, 2018

 

[lived666]

Forgot about this thread - so just under two weeks to go.

The temp in the region is a bit low at the moment - I do prefer colder weather but -9 and -15 with the wind chill is a tad low, but anyhow appears to be improving a bit towards the 20th.

Did my last training hike last weekend of just under 12km, now will just hit the gym a couple of times until we go, trying to shed a couple of extra kg's - less to carry around

Have most of the provisions, just a few essential meds still to buy, and will go get the Visas soon - can get these at the airport but I would rather not have to queue there and just get out the plane and into Kathmandu as quickly as possible after a long flight.

 

[Cray]

Enjoy, will be following your updates with interest.

 

[lived666]

So when trekking in Nepal - there are a few options.

A -You can do everything on your own, no guide or porters, carry your own gear and make your own arrangements. This is great if you are on a tight budget or just plain adventurous. I met a few people like this last year trekking to EBC and many of them changed their minds and asked our guide for assistance in either helping with getting a porter or a guide or other assistance - but you can trek without a guide, the route for eg to EBC is fairly easy to follow.

B. If you have the time or want to try and keep costs down, you can get to Nepal and make arrangements from there, so no advanced planning. Wherever you go in Nepal there is probably someone or some company that can help with trekking plans, guides etc. Basically a combination of doing everything by yourself and hiring a trekking company which is option 3 and what I chose to do.

C. Use a trekking company - the route and stages and where you stay is all planned in advance. The advantage here is that everything is taken care of for you. The disadvantage is that everything is predetermined - which is good and bad depending on your time and the cost is slightly more than making your own arrangements.
I found a very flexible company, and the cost was reasonable and as I do like the fact that every detail is taken care of, from fetching you at the airport, to hotel bookings, internal flight arrangements are taken care of, all permits done for you and all tea houses on the route are pre-booked, so this was my choice.
Also going with a guide adds safety in case the **** hits the fan and also someone to explain where what etc.

I was considering maybe taking my wife part of the EBC trek - if I had gone that route I probably would have done option 2, or even one, but I decided to rather see a part of Nepal I haven't done and because Annapurna region can be fickle I decided rather have the comfort of a guide and everything taken care of.

 

[Voicy]

Keen to see pics! Keep us posted and have fun!

 

[lived666]

Keen to see pics! Keep us posted and have fun!

Shot. Day one over- easy enough day though first you have to survive a 25 minute fight in a dinkish plane from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then a 2 hour drive in what is probably one of the scariest roads you can come across and by road I mean a narrow lane with trucks and buses and more potholes than even the R101 that is if you lucky enough to be on a tar portion.

The walking part though was a breeze- around 4 hours to a village somewhere. Tomorrow is a tad hard day with an elevation of over 1 km.