Another successful visit to Nepal. Great fortunes with stunning weather, zero delays on Lukla flights, and 4 clients standing proudly on the summit of Kalar Patar. And then to depart Nepal for our return to Australia, JUST before the Covid19 virus took hold of the world and shut down most borders....!!! Great fortunes...!!!

There has been a few inquiries around 2021, so here is your chance to contact us and discuss your interests.

Above. Matt & Eliza putting on the brave faces receiving their vaccinations.

​We are just two weeks from departure, with the only remaining task being to secure our 30day Nepal Entry Visas.

We have our final training run on the 1000 Steps this Saturday (not that this team require any more training). This will be the conclusion of our training schedule. While we never made it up to our classic Razorback weekend, the training has been enjoyable. 

Our Trek Blog is now up and running, and can be accessed via the blog icons on the opening website page, or from the 2020 team page. Hoping those who normally follow us and keep us humoured will do so again this year.  

My 12th trip to Nepal, and I'm still looking forward to it.

Just under 5 weeks to departure. Sadly, we lost Bimi from our team, but the remaining members are as keen as ever.
Just two more training sessions to go. 

Our pre-departure training dates have now been posted. 6 sessions have been listed, including our ever popular Razorback hike (22km Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop and back) in late November.
Check out the dates and lock as many of them into your calendar as you can.
Key to a successful Nepal trek is good prep'.

Most of the 2019 EBC team have now arrived back into Australia. For those who followed the trip blog, it was a tough trek at times, but the scenery and terrific blog updates were worth waiting for each night.

Our 2020 program is a long way off, but already 4 have keenly signed on. Having had the opportunity to meet them, I have to say that I'm excited about their general enthusiasm to visit and trek in Nepal next year.
Over the next few months, Sue and I will run our normal campaigns to try to fill both of our 2020 treks.
   
For all of you who took part in sponsoring Mingma's family following his sad passing over a year ago, Sue reported that she was able to catch up with his beautiful wife Ngima prior to her recent departure out of Lukla. Sue and I are both proud to report that her daughter Lhakpa is now studying Nursing full-time in Kathmandu as a direct result of the contributions you each made. Wow, how good is that??
Thanks again to all of you who made this possible.

Hi all. It's exciting to countdown the hrs until Team EBC2019 depart the warm conditions of Melbourne for the not-so-warm conditions of the mighty Himalaya.
Sue, Gary, Josh, Tahlia, Tess, Rhonda & Lauren will board Thai Airways flight TG466 next Monday for their evening flight to Bangkok. A cosy stay in a nearby airport hotel, then its back out to the airport early the next morning for their continuing journey onto Kathmandu, arriving at around 1pm next Tuesday. Day 1 of their trek is scheduled next Friday.

The 2019 trek's BLOG is now up and running, so we hope you will both follow their progress, but also join in by dropping some responses for them to read as they trudge up to Everest. The BLOG can be accessed either below or on the home page of the website.

A note for 2020. I have received a few keen phone calls inquiring into a 2020 EBC trek, and will be meeting up with these potential participants over the next month. Look out for a 2020 page which will shortly be added to our website.

Namaste, and all the best Team2019

It's been a while since we last posted an update, and much has happened..!
The 2019 EBC trek departure is now fast approaching. Unfortunately, the team will be departing without Rod and Matt, who had to pull out. Sad, but it happens.

The remainder of the team (Gary, Josh, Tess, Tahlia, Rhonda, Lauren, and of course Sue) are moving into some final prep. Only 40 days til departure...!!!

Last weekend, we completed our annual Razorback hike, and as before, we draw a lucky straw with weather. Warm and sunny on the hike day, thunderstorms and heavy rain the next day..! Accommodation at Dinner Plain never disappoints, and the weekend was no exception. Capped by a great meal at the local pub after the tough hike. Most agreed that the Razorback can often (and harshly) remind you what your level of fitness is, and what work you may need to do in the final month and a bit before you take your first few steps on the mighty EBC trek. 

This Friday, Sue will be completing Nepalese entry visa's for the team. We will then try to fit in one more group training session before the teams departure on the 21st Jan.  

So first up, a change for next years EBC trek. Due to work commitments, I will be unable to lead my favourite trek. Instead, Sue is more than happy to step in and lead what thus far looks to be an energetic and enjoyable team up to Base Camp. Departure has been moved forward a week to Monday 21st January.
​Thanks Sue. I know you will make it an enjoyable trip for the team.

Last Saturday was the first of our group training sessions. As with previous years, our first session was out on the 1000 Steps. Always busy, but always enjoyable.
Five of the team turned up, with the rest not able to get there. It was good to meet some of the team and confirm they have that all important sense of humour.
(The key to a successful EBC??? Do the training..!!!)
 
At this stage, our next session is at the You Yangs on Sunday 14th Oct.

Regretfully, Sue has had little choice but to cancel her 2019 ABC trek due to not being able to get sufficient numbers. This is unfortunate given John G was keen to complete the trek with her. Several who were contemplating this excellent trek were unable to confirm their spots in the end.
At this stage, Sue will be keen to make the trek available in 2020 and John has indicated he will be keen to try to confirm his availability.

In the meantime, we have recently learnt that Mingma's daughter Lakpa is now studying science in Kathmandu. We believe that the generous donations several of you made earlier this year has helped to grant her this opportunity.
We will shortly be transferring over to Ngima the final amount of money.

EBC 2019 is now just about full. Rhonda & Lauren (from Bairnsdale) have just joined the team and sound excited to be heading to Everest.
Our team checklist and training schedule has now been posted onto the 2019 page. Our pre-departure training will consist of 6 group sessions. While it is not expected that everyone can get to all of these, the more sessions we can do as a team, the greater the chances of us reaching the summit of Kalar Pattar (5,545mts) together. The schedule also includes our popular Razorback weekend up on Mt Hotham.
While our EBC trek is full, our splendid ABC trek is yet to be confirmed for 2019. We are still awaiting confirmation from a few and will advise if it will proceed throughout August.

Both of our 2019 treks have been slower this year to get up and running. In previous years, we have been booked on at least one, if not both base camp treks by June and have actually had to close them off as FULL and turn people away.!

EBC 2019 recently came alive with the signing on of a group of 6. Gary (brother of Rhys - 2014 EBC) and several of his friends and family have enthusiastically indicated their desire to take on the classic Everest Base Camp, departing 1st Feb. (Yes, a winter trek..!! Yes I've warned them it WILL be cold..!! Yes, I tried to explain to them exactly what "cold" is..!! LOL).

Our beautiful ABC trek however has not moved closer to being confirmed. Of the two previous sign-ons, Glenn has had to suddenly withdraw.! John, being the other sign-on remains keen to complete this trek (and become a 3-peat treknepal client), but despite approx 6 others who have expressed interest, but not yet committed, our splendid ABC trek at this stage is no guarantee to proceed next year..! Our minimum number to run this trek is around 5-6, so if you know anyone who may enjoy this trek, please get them to contact Sue or I.

On a side note, our long time friend Nabin has left the Kathmandu Guest House (and his role of Front Desk Manager). Many of you who have visited Nepal with Sue or I will know Nabin as being our personal and dedicated host at the Guest House, and one who has gone to great length to ensure our stay in Kathmandu is what it is. We will be keen to catch up with Nabin on our next visit and see what he is now up to.

In the meantime, Sue has transferred the 2nd (of 3) donated funds into the bank account of the wife of our late trek guide & great friend Mingma. Ngima and her 3 beautiful children have now received in excess of A$2000 from the money donated by several of you following Mingma's sad passing late last year. The final payment (around A$1000) will be transferred in around 4 months time. Ngima has told us that this money has been very much appreciated and sends her warmest thanks to all of us who donated.

Sue and i have opened up our 2019 Trek Program for anyone interested in contacting us. Check out our 2019 page

On Tue 6th Feb, Sue and her EBC 2018 team reached the summit of Kalar Pattar. Click here to access their entire trek blog and read their accomplishment.

Well, the pain of watching an EBC team depart ......... without me, has almost arrived. Sue and her team depart tomorrow afternoon for Bangkok, then Kathmandu on Saturday. I may sneak out for a difficult farewell tomorrow afternoon.

For all of those who like to follow us on our live trek blogs, this is now up and running. There are several links to the blog (below, on the "Home" page and on the "2018 Trek" page). Be sure to follow their progress on the trudge up to Base Camp and drop them some support along the way by posting your comments.

Sue will be catching up with Mingma's wife Nema on the final day of the trek to present to her the details of the donations several of you have made following Mingma's passing. This will surely be an emotional occasion. 

​For those who donated, attached is a letter we have designed to be handed over to her. 

What a response...! Following Mingma's sad passing last month, several of you have dug deep and responded with an impressive collection of money to be handed over to his beautiful family.
Sue will have the great honour of informing Mingma's wife Nema of this special gift during her Everest Base Camp trek departing next Friday 26th. 
Well done to all of you who participated. We know it will go a long way in helping the family.

The 2018 EBC team completed their training last Sunday on the steps. THIS TEAM IS KILLING IT..!!! Fit, strong, humorous, supporting of each other...this has the makings of a terrific team to complete an Everest trek with....(yes I'm envious..!!!).

On Monday morning (11th Dec) we awoke to some bitterly sad news from Nepal.
My long time guide and very good friend of several treknepalwithme clients, Mingma had passed away due to illness.

I first met Mingma in 2007. In Nepal, an introductory handshake often results in the establishment of a friend for life. Despite Mingma not becoming my head guide until 2012, our friendship was sealed from our very first meeting. 

Mingma has since helped me take in excess of 70 clients to Everest base Camp on seven consecutive treks. His knowledge of Nepal's beautiful Khumbu Valley, including the Everest region has been a great benefit for all of us. His level of legitimate care to every team member of every trip has been the primary reason why I have continued to use him in the very important role of head guide.

In recent years, his invite of our trek teams to come back to his house for a special farewell dinner with his family have become a true highlight. He had a beautiful gift of reaching out and befriending people.

Who can ever forget that terrible card trick he used to love performing? A 5 minute card trick he could drag out to 25 minutes..!!
And what about the time when he inconspicuously loaded a few rocks into the backpack of a fast member of the team, just to try to slow him down a little? 
In at least my eyes, and perhaps several others, Mingma was a true legend.

Mingma leaves behind a wonderful wife (Nema), two terrific twin boys (yep, Mingma & Mingma) and a beautiful daughter (Lhakpa).

Rest easy my good mate, we will miss you.

​Namaste

Note. Upon hearing of this sad news, several previous clients have expressed an interest in providing some financial support to Mingma's family. I am sure this would be appreciated. Please confirm if you would like to participate, either by email, response to this blog, or text or phone call and I will provide some details over the next few weeks.

On Saturday 25th Nov, Sue lead the 2018 EBC team on the annual Razorback hike. Yes, we do the Razorback every year,  but this year was just a touch harder (for some of us anyway).
Starting from Harrietville, we climbed the long and occasionally steep Bungalow Spur to Federation Hut. This alone took approx 3hrs. Then after a short break at the hut, we climbed the beautiful Mt Feathertop. Most got to the top with energy to spare. Others (as in the author of this post) had little left in the tank..!
Then a slog back across the Razorback to Hotham. All up, approx 26km, 14 of which were up hill. Around 8-9hrs hiking under a beautiful, if not a little warm blue sky.
Then a well needed (and rather long) shower before heading to a much needed dinner at one of the Hotham pubs watching an incredible electrical storm move in. Brilliant.
Our Razorback weekends continue to be a highlight on our pre-departure training program. This one was no exception.
The 2018 EBC team are "smashing" the training and are already modifying the remaining few sessions before their 26th Jan departure to be harder.  A good trek group in the making for sure