Trip checklist and training dates have now been posted. Group training is scheduled to start on Sunday 1st October at the You Yangs.
Matt has joined the 2018 team. Awaiting a photo. C'mon Matt......Where is that photo? Dorrie has decided to join her sister Elaine on the 2018 EBC trek. Dorrie is from Hobart in Tassie and has the beautiful Mt Wellington as a backdrop (....and potential training ground..!).
Welcome on board Dorrie. Hope to see you over here once or twice for some training. Well done to Dale and Stacey who have just signed onto EBC 2018. Both are from Sanctuary Lakes and are very excited to be joining trek leader Sue and return clients Elaine and Evan on this epic trek.
A good team in the making. Can't wait to start some training with you guys. You just can't hold some people back..!! Evan & Elaine thoroughly enjoyed their January trek with Sue and the team to Annapurna Base Camp. They both trekked strongly and loved their exposure to this wonderful country, it's beautiful people and its mighty mountains.
They have both indicated their desire to return to Nepal and venture east of Kathmandu into the Khumbu region, which of course is the home to the highest mountains on earth, including Mt Everest. Sue is delighted to be leading next years trek and even more so to have Evan & Elaine be the first to express an interest. "They demonstrated to all on the 2017 ABC trek just how powerful and experienced walkers they are and I am sure they will love the challenge of EBC" says Sue. Well done Evan & Elaine. Sue is now looking to add additional numbers onto the 2018 team. Contact us if you're interested. So, after more than 5 months of what was at times some tough workouts, we completed our final training this morning on the excellent 1000 Steps. All 5 of us from Melbourne who are on the upcoming EBC trek each completed 5 circuits. Pretty good. We joked about our first trip to the Steps back in Sept, when several of us only completed either a single circuit, or at the most 2 very slow circuits. How things have progressed since that first visit. Several in the EBC team have put in some hard yards since our Razorback hike back in November, and it's now showing. I should concede that I couldn't keep up with one or two of them this morning..!!!! (There you go brian@weeroona....an opportunity to remind me that I'm not getting any younger..!!!).
The boys in Dubai have been smashing the inland hills as well, although looking at the below photo, one can see that they haven't had the place to themselves..!! I am told that Neil was very keen to show off to John, Matt & Dan some new and rather expensive "blister-proof" socks that he purchased recently. Following the completion of their recent training session, he is now nursing the biggest blisters that John has ever seen..!!! Mmmm....Doesn't sound like money well spent mate..! It's been great chatting to a few of the ABC team members since their return. Some ripper stories and several laughs. Will be good to try and organise a catch up with both teams after the EBC trip returns. At least half of the ABC team have now returned home, each with some amusing stories of their mighty trek up to Annapurna Base Camp. Great effort by all, although it was a shame to lose John early in the trek through a serious chest infection. Their trip blog was, as expected very enjoyable.
Our EBC team is now under two weeks from departure. We have our last training session on the Steps this Sunday. Everyone has trained exceptionally well and I therefore hope they will each come to appreciate the benefit of the extra work. I am hearing there is considerable snow up in the Everest region at the moment, and while that will make the hiking just a touch harder, the scenery is likely to be stunning. Regretfully, Murray has been a late cancellation from the EBC trip due to personal reasons. Murray, all the best mate and I hope to hear that 2017 presents some other good opportunities for you. So I owe a beer..!! Good mate Rick (based in Dubai) who with Peter introduced me to Nepal 30 years ago, indicated to me recently that he may "zip across" to Kathmandu to spend a few days with us before we commence our trek. I bet him a beer that he wouldn't. I lost...!! Rick arrives with the Dubai team on the 16th and leaves back to Dubai on the 19th. Well done mate. Will be interesting to hear what you think of the place 30years on. We will enjoy that beer. Last years EBC team accepted a request to take over to Kathmandu several bags of educational books to a school in Kathmandu.
My work colleague Graeme is a close friend of Jan and Ken. They live in Melbourne but sometimes visit and provide support and sponsorship to a small school in Kathmandu. Their warm thanks to me last year from taking a few kgs of books over for the school made it easy to accept the same request this year. Anne, Greg and Danielle (currently on the ABC trip) were open to taking approx 15kg of books over on their recent departure. A few of us on next months EBC trip will do the same. As per last year, a warm note of thanks and appreciation has already been received. Happy to help a good cause guys. We had an excellent training session at Bairnsdale on Saturday. After a much appreciated modification of our intended walk by Sue (due heat), we headed out and completed approx 12km in 35deg..!! It was tough going with the occasional shaded areas of the walk being much appreciated. The steep sections had all of us working hard.
Our reward after the walk was a very refreshing swim in Sue's pool and an incredible dinner put on by Sue and husband James on a perfect summer evening. So much food. Thanks heaps guys. The ABC team have now completed their training. Great effort by all. Special acknowledgment to Sue R who has put in a very solid past 2 months and is walking noticeably stronger as a result. ABCs depart next Monday. Perfect weather for a perfect hike. We love our Macedon hike and yesterday didn't dissapoint. Good views and the tracks in excellent condition. Approx 14 of us enjoyed the day.
ABC team now only have ONE scheduled training session (in Bairnsdale) before their departure on the 16th Jan. EBC team still have 3 sessions. John and Neil have been smashing the hills outside of Dubai. 2 new videos have been added to the home page of the site. These have been put together by previous clients and friends of TrekNepalWithMe. Have a look. Our 2018 page is now up and ready to take bookings. Sue will be leading the trek in 2018 and is keen to talk to anyone who may be interested. Perhaps the best weather we have had for a Razorback hike to date. Brilliant sunshine throughout the day, no wind and just a perfect day to complete this wonderful hike. Approx 22 of us set out approx 8.30am, with all of us making it up onto Mt Feathertop. Big well done. Enough snow up there for the usual snow fight, and enough flies and bugs to require one to check their sandwich before biting into it...!!
The return trip as hard and as long as usual, and yes......some dehydration and sunburn the result..!! Dinner Plain accommodation perfect as usual, although the chilly night prevented our usual BBQ on the deck..!! Great weekend. An excellent mornings weather for our You Yangs visit lead by Murray. Not a bad turnout.
ABC team now only have 3 group training sessions (and under 56 days) to go before their departure. Next weekend is our popular Razorback hike. Several will come off this hike with a good idea where their fitness levels are at. Important to all to keep up the training and finish our program strongly. Lukla airfares have been pre-booked for the EBC's. It's all approaching rather fast...!! Confirming that we will change our next training session at the You Yangs from Sunday 20th to Saturday 19th. Murray will be leading. 8am start.
I normally associate a training session at the 1000 Steps with losing a little weight, but I actually gained 10kg at today's visit. The weight gain was thanks to Glenn who offered me his 10kg weight vest to wear throughout the morning. Did I feel the difference? Yep, every last kg of it...!! Oh, and thanks for the advice Glenn "If it gets too heavy, just take it off and put it in your backpack"....!!! Thanks mate...!
We were overdue for some improved training weather, and this morning we got it. An absolute perfect day to be on one of our favourite training grounds. A few were missing due to pre-planned long weekend commitments, illness and exam prep, but 10 of us (including Blair & Caroline from EBC2015) hit the Steps just after 8am and completed several circuits. Well done to Michelle and Sue for reeling off 5 circuits. The remainder of us completed at least 1 more circuit than what we completed when we were out there last time. (Well done Simi for getting 3 done. 4 next time....??) We have at least 26 participants confirmed for the Razorback weekend on the 26th Nov. This will be a good guide to each individuals fitness level as well as our overall walking styles. With only 11 weeks to go before the ABC departure, it's important for Sue and I to get a feel for the general fitness of each team member, and the Razorback certainly provides that..!! We have 2 ripper Dinner Plain houses booked for Friday & Saturday nights. All bedding and towels are provided and I will provide you details around costs (at this stage, under $60 each) and what food to bring in the weeks before. We are now approx 1/2 way through our training. At this point, it's important to commit to and finish the training phase strongly. Flat walking is a help, but climbing and descending hills is the absolute key from here on. Sue and I will be finalising our Kathmandu accommodation and Nepal domestic airfares over the next 2 weeks. At this stage, Team-ABC will pay for their Kathmandu/Pokhara flights upon arrival into Kat, while the EBC'rs will pay for their Lukla flights in advance around end Nov (to secure first flights of the day - Important for Lukla..!!!). Important Notes: -The 1000 Steps will be partly closed for approx 3 weeks in November for maintenance -The scheduled training at the You Yangs on Sunday 20th November may change to the Saturday. I will confirm in the next few days. Only a few of us (Sue, Glenn, Steve, Michelle and I) ended up out on the Steps yesterday, but despite the very low numbers and the constant drizzle (actually, it was heavy rain at times..!!!), several of us completed 3 circuits. Great effort.
Glenn tells us that he additionally snuck out to the Steps last Monday and completed 4 circuits, then backed it up with a good workout at the You Yangs the very next day. Not bad at all...!!! John, Matt & Daniel just last week sent photos of their training session in the hills a few hrs drive out of Dubai. (One weekend on the 1000 Steps in cold Ferntree Gully, the next in 40deg out the back of Dubai..!!). Our next session is at the You Yangs on Sat 15th Oct. The days to departure will count down in no time (ABC - 105 days, EBC - 136 days), so let's all try step up our hill training. All International airfares and travel insurance has now been booked and distributed. Outbound Bangkok accommodation has now also been secured. Sue and I will now move to book our Kathmandu Guest House accommodation and Nepal domestic airfares. On a rather dreary and overcast day, we commenced our preparation for our 2017 trips this morning.
Several from next year's Annapurna & Everest treks assembled at the 1000 Steps to meet each other and complete 2 leisurely circuits of this great training ground. Some did it "easier" than others and came away with quite a lot "left in the tank". All are keen to advance their preparation in readiness for these marvelous treks. Well done to those who travelled a fair way to get to this opening session (several from Bairnsdale, 1 from Dubai..!!). We will be following up with another session at the Steps in 2 weeks time Sue and I have been busy..! We have been able to work hard with our Thai ticketing agent to secure the best priced Thai Airways Kathmandu return tickets we have had for some time. Well done to our little but energetic team at "BT". Several within both the ABC & EBC teams have now paid for their fares, with the last few looking to do so by Wednesday's deadline.
Travel Insurance is next up and should be secured within the next week. Our 1st group training session is planned for next Sunday at the 1000 Steps. I'm hoping most within each team will be there. There is still 126 days to ABC departure and 157 to EBC, but it's funny how quick these come around...!! Bring on those 1000 Steps...!! The work for Sue and I now begins..! We are already negotiating best advanced Thai Airways airfares with our agent, which we will aim to confirm with the teams shortly and book and pay for around mid September. We will be following these up with quotes for our travel insurance for those who wish to use our choice. (We like to use 1Cover). Training begins in 5 weeks and as per previous years, this will be a great opportunity for both teams to see some beautiful parts of Melbourne and Victoria, have a great time together and get fit in the process. John and Neil from Dubai are both super keen and are already in training. John is likely to join us on the 1000 Steps next month during a visit to Melbourne. Corey has had to unfortunately withdraw from next year's Annapurna trip due personal reasons. Now Sue has insisted she is happy to leave her trip marked "FULL", but I'm suspecting she would consider a legitimate inquiry to replace Corey's spot if one came along...!!! So Annapurna team, if you know a friend or family member that you think would enjoy this truly incredible trek, why not get them to contact us. (Not too late...)
As hinted last week, next year's EBC trip has now been brought forward one week. Now departing Thursday 16th February (3.15pm) and returning home Friday 10th March (approx 10pm). The final training date (at the 1000 Steps) has also come forward from Sunday 12th to Sunday 5th of February, just so we can still have a free weekend prior to our departure. First get together:
On a crisp but sunny Saturday morning, several from the two 2017 Nepal teams, as well as some of our previous visitors to Nepal came together to meet one another and complete a leisurely stroll around the You Yangs East-West Circuit and to the top of Flinders Peak. A few from each team couldn't make it, but it was a good turnout nonetheless, and it was great to get several of the Bairnsdale team members come down to join us. General news: Martin has had to withdraw from next year's EBC trek. I now have 1, possibly 2 available spots on this classic trek. Spread the word and have anyone who may be interested contact me for details. Note. The EBC trek is now likely to come forward one week, now departing 16th Feb 2017 and returning 10th March. Confirmation within the next 2 weeks. Tasks ahead: August. -Sue and I will begin locking in Thai airways advanced pricing. We will advise all of confirmed prices. September/October. -Training started. -Copies of passports and signed off "Trip Conditions" page requested. -Likely request for payment of some trip costs/components ie Airfares, Insurance, Fees etc Some stats: -85 days until official training (Sunday 18th Sept at the 1000 Steps) -205 days until ABC departure (Monday 16th January) -236 days until EBC departure (Thursday 16th February) Pictured above: Back row - John (EBC2014 & ABC2017), Evan-(ABC2017), Brian (EBC2015), Murray (EBC2017), Glenn (EBC2017), Shailendra (EBC2017), Greg (ABC2017), David (Several & EBC2017), Steve (EBC2017), Blair (EBC2015), Middle row - Sue (ABC2017), Elaine (ABC2017), Anne (ABC2017), Caroline (EBC2015) Front row - Simi (EBC2017), Sue (Several & ABC2017), Michelle (EVH2015 & ABC2017) Behind the camera. Des (EBC2014, 2015 & 2016) Training. Our pre-departure training schedule for both the 2017 ABC and EBC treks is now up. (Link). Officially commencing on Saturday 18th September at the 1000 Steps, it will include up to 10 group sessions.
I cannot emphasise enough that the more group training sessions we complete together prior to departure, the more you are going to enjoy your Nepalese trek and increase your chances of reaching your targeted destination. Several of our past clients have commented post-trek that if it wasn't for the pre-departure training they completed, they would not have been able to complete their chosen trek, or enjoyed it..! Have a look at the dates and try to plan them into your calendars in advance. In particular, look ahead to see if you can be available on our brilliant Razorback & Bairnsdale weekends. These have both been very successful in recent years. DON'T SKIMP ON THE TRAINING.... Welcome Glenn. Glenn has recently joined the EBC team and is keen to meet up with everyone at the You Yangs on Saturday 25th June. Welcome on board mate. The EBC team is not quite confirmed yet as a few currently on it are still working the dates. I'm hoping to finalise the team by early July. Recent Deaths on Everest. Many of you will have received the email I sent out last week regarding the recent deaths on Everest. As indicated in the email, please don't hesitate to contact Sue or I regarding any questions or concerns you may have relating to the treks we run and our precautions when trekking to altitude. We have just returned from our 2016 EBC trek. It was another successful trip, with all nine in the team that were intending on standing on KP's sumit (@ 5,545mts amsl) successfully doing so on Tue 1st March.
This years trip was challenged by constant clouds rolling in every day around late morning or early afternoon, often hiding the magnificent scenery and resulting in light snow showers in the late afternoon or evening. But most mornings were splendid, with great views of Everest and her mighty neighbours. Our morning climb up KP was one of the best mornings I have had in years. It was a good team to share my 10th visit with. Lots of laughs and some genuine appreciation of the country, the people and the trek itself. As with several trips, the gap between the quicker and slower walkers was evident, but most of the time we walked together, or at least waited up for the slower walkers. We did have to deal with some illnesses along the way. From mild stomach upsets to some genuine altitude sickness. Fortunately, both these were mild and with some caring (and perhaps some good decision making), those who suffered these ailments were able to climb up onto Kalar Pattar a few days later..!! As usual, the blog proved to be a handy communication means for those back home, although several of the team kept an up-to-date dialogue of the trip via their own personal Facebook accounts. It was enjoyable reading your responses and we all appreciated your support. Evidence of the 2015 earthquakes could be seen throughout Kathmandu. From damaged buildings, to collapsed temples and extensive bracing (timber and steel beams) holding up and supporting several structures. Restoration works have started, but it will take a while. 2017 will shortly become the focus. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is already full. Sue will be meeting and finalising her team over the next month. The EBC team is around 1/3 full, and is still taking bookings. |