Upper Tonquani Hike

Today's hike was strenous in the Magaliesberg Mountains. The steep downhill to the gully was very tricky and rocky...coming down into the gully was all worth it!! Totally amazing sceney with water streams, monkeys, birds and so much lush vegetation...these moutains are really a hidden gem.

Cave hiking

This morning was nice and cool weather with overcast skies. I wasn't planning any hiking today but my son woke me up early and wanted to hike because of the nice cool weather.....& you know me, I never say no to outdoors lol. I loved it!!! It was really nice cool weather with a nice breeze. After a very hot week, this was really refreshing. There were many caves to crawl through and the scenery near the water was stuuning....

Getting ready for altitude

I love cold weather and I'm currently sitting here in Johannesburg, where the temps are about 30degC.... I'm so looking forward to the cold and high altitude in a few weeks time😄

 

Gear for Everest Base Camp

I will be using the same gear as I did for Elbrus, except for the ice axe, crampons and snow boots.

NB - I'm not going to underestimate the cold and I'll make sure to take enough warm gear for minus 20 degrees celcius conditions at night especially at Base Camp.

Cold Weather Gear
 1 Waterproof, windproof jacket
 1 Waterproof, windproof over pants
 1 300 Series polar fleece jacket
 1 100 Series polar fleece pants or good tracksuit pants
 3 Thermal long sleeve top
 3 Thermal underwear long-johns
 6 Pairs of thick socks – 70% wool
 1 Pair good hiking boots with ankle support and waterproofing
 1 Pair thin cotton gloves
 1 Pair thick wool gloves
 1 Pair windproof waterproof over-gloves
 1 Balaclava/beenie/wool hat
 1 Scarf/neck warmer
 1 Pair sunglasses with good UV protection
 1 Pair mud/snow gaiters

Mountain equipment
 2 Walking sticks
 1 Sleeping mat/thermarest
 1 Sleeping bag rated to –15 degrees
 1 135 litre duffel bag for porters (XL)
 1 Day pack 35 litres
 1 Large plastic bag to keep duffel dry
 1 Backpack plastic liners
 1 Kit bag to leave at hotel
 1 Head torch (petzl)
 3 Head torch batteries
 2 1 litre water bottles
1 Pen knife

General clothing
 8 Pairs of thin cotton socks
 1 Pair Takkies/sneakers or
 1 Pair Strops/sandals
 12 Underwear
 8 T-shirts
 2 Pair trekking pants
 1 Pair casual pants
 2 Shorts
 2 Hat/cap

Medication
 Suntan lotion (Factor 20 plus)
 Toiletry Kit
 Towel
 Lip balm with sun protection
 Wet wipes
 Toilet paper
 Personal medication (first aid kit)
 Headache tablets
 Insect repellent (ditto)
 Diamox (20 per person)
 Immodium (stomach tablets)
 Valoid tablets (nausea tablets)
 Moleskin for blisters
 Antihistamine for insect bites and hay fever
 Water purification tablets

Other
 Passport
 Approximately US$400 spending money and porter/guide tip money
 Snacks, energy sweets, Biltong and chocolate for the trek

Optional
  Compression stuff bag
 Thermos flask
 Video recorder
 GPS system
 Book/magazine

Climate in Nepal

Nepal has a temperate climate, with seasons typical of the Northern Hemisphere, but altitude creates distinct variations in this pattern. Weather is ruled by the monsoon, which sweeps up every summer from the Bay of Bengal and makes mid-June to late September wet and humid. The trekking season therefore runs from mid-October to May.

The monsoon disappears with a final burst at the end of September and by the second/third week in October skies are generally clear, with pleasantly mild days and cool nights and good mountain views. Depending on altitude, temperatures might reach 25-30C in the middle of the day and drop to -10C at night. The weather becomes increasingly cooler through November, but the air is still very clear and the mountain views are at their best.

December to February is the winter season, generally clear and dry, with little snow even at higher altitudes, although occasional storms may drop snow as low as 2,500 meters. Days can be quite warm in the sun (20C) but nights are cold with temperatures well below freezing at altitude.

By March the weather is shifting to warmer, wetter spring conditions. Mornings are usually clear but cloud build-up is common in the afternoon and there may be the occasional shower. This pattern continues through April and May and, although there is still plenty of sunshine, the increased moisture and haze in the air does mean that the mountain views are less clear than in the autumn and the daytime temperatures can be uncomfortably warm at lower altitudes. Above 2,500 meters it is still pleasantly mild during the day, nights are less cold, mountain views become clearer as one gains altitude, and there are spectacular displays of rhododendron and other spring flowers.

Mountain weather especially in the Himalayas is at best unpredictable and these notes are only a guide as to what one can expect. All our treks and expeditions are scheduled to coincide with periods of stable weather when the prevailing conditions should be right for each particular departure. However, snow can fall at any time of year causing high altitude passes to become closed and treks to be re-routed. This is unlikely, but should adverse weather conditions enforce a route alteration, any changes will be made at the discretion of the trek leader.

Flights booked and confirmed

Trip Dates & Logistics

Oh yes the countdown has begun (once again lol)...I cannot wait for my trip to Nepal! 3 more weeks. The time is really going so quickly...

Depart from Johannesburg on Emirates Airways via Dubia to Kathmandu

DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL
JOHANNESBURG	DUBAI	22H20	08H15*
DUBAI	KATHMANDU	13H55	19H50
KATHMANDU	DUBAI	21H10	00H40*
DUBAI	JOHANNESBURG	04H40	10H50

Duration and Itinerary


Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to Kathmandu Hyatt hotel on B/B basis. Briefing. Obtain permits, etc.

Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft) Begin trek – overnight in Phakding.

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,155ft) Trek to the town of Namche Bazaar the main administrative and trading centre for the Khumbu region. 10km/6.2miles

Day 4: Acclimatisation in Namche Bazaar and Khumjung (3,790m/12,431ft) This is an acclimatisation day at Namche. Hike to Thamo, Thame and return to Namche Bazaar.

Day 5: Trek to Syanboche, Kunde, Khumjung Overnight at Japanese Hotel.

Day 6: Dole (4,040m/13,251ft) Follow the undulating path up to Dole.

Day 7: Machermo (4,480m/14,246ft) This is a short day due to the need to maintain a safe rate of ascent. Gokyo appears to be within easy reach but a night at Machermo is essential. 5km/3.1miles

Day 8: Gokyo Lakes (4,750m/15,580ft) We pass the first of the Gokyo Lakes and camp by the main lake. There are excellent views of Cho Oyu ahead, with Taweche and Cholatse dominating the opposite side of the valley. 7km/4.3miles

Day 9: Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,483m/17,984ft) It is well worth the effort to make the 3-hour ascent to the summit of Gokyo Ri, a small hill which rises immediately to the north of the lake. 5km/3.1miles. Descent to Dragnag.

Day 10: Dragnag – Cross Chola Pass (5,420m/16,531ft) There is a steep and demanding climb across loose scree to the rock caves at Chyugima. We climb to the top of the Cho La (pass in Nepalse) (5,420m/17,773ft) before descending to the tiny settlement of Dzongla. 10km/6.2miles

Day 11: Trek to Gorak Shep (5,150m/17,000ft) Night in the top Himalayan village of Gorak Shep. If time allows, ascend Kalla Pattar.

Day 12: Gorak Shep - Trek to Everest base camp (5,300m/17384ft) The trail now leads on to the Khumbu Glacier and we eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. 10km/6.2miles. Overnight in tents at Everest Base Camp.

Day 13: Trek to Pumori High Camp (5,600m). We overnight in tents at Pumori Base Camp.

Day 14: Trek to Peruchi (4200m/13900ft) We descent the route to Peruchi.

Day 15 - Trek to Monjo Following the main Everest trail down the beautifully scenic valley, we pass through Pangboche and descend further to the small village of Monjo (3900m). This will be a long day trekking.

Day 16: Trek to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft)

Day 17: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu We catch an early morning flight back to Kathmandu where we will be met at the airport and taken to our hotel. Kathmandu Hyatt B/B

GOD Willing everything goes well (weather conditions, health) and I reach EBC successfully and arrive safely back in SA. Ameen

Uitsoek Hiking Trail. Near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Day2

The second day of the trail starts off with a steep climb up through pine plantations followed by a beautiful walk along the cliff tops affording beautiful views over the surrounding mountains, indigenous forest and plantations below. Once the trail reaches the indigenous forest a wonderland of green beauty, sparkling waters cascades and beautiful rock formations present themselves along the rest of the trip back to Uitsoek hut.

Uitsoek Hiking Trail. Near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Day1

I cannot stop talking about how beautiful this hike is. Its very strenuous and takes 2 days.
The trails start from Uitsoek hut which is situated on the outskirts of Uitsoek forest station. Uitsoek hut is well equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, tables and chairs, undercover Braai facilities. It was raining heavy during the Friday night, so we starting trekking just after 6:30am, instead of the planned 5:30am start. The first day of the overnight hike is 15Km long and climbs over 900m during the course of the day. The Trail passes some spectacular scenery as it ascends through indigenous forest and grassland. The last few Kilometres of the first day take the one along a contour path until one reaches a deep kloof. Here the trail descends to a beautiful stream before once more ascending steeply. From the top the trail traverses plantations until the Lisabon hut is reached for an overnight stay before trekkng back the next day.

Climbing the Seven Summits

Very good read!!!!

"COMPLETION OF THIS AMAZING FEAT, KNOWN AS THE SEVEN SUMMITS, DEMANDS MUCH OF THE CLIMBER—TO TRAVEL TO THE REMOTE AND EXOTIC CORNERS OF THE WORLD, SCALE THE HEIGHTS OF MOUNTAIN GIANTS SUCH AS EVEREST AND MCKINLEY, AND FACE EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS FOR LONG PERIODS OVER MANY YEARS.”

—STEVE BELL, SEVEN SUMMITS (2000)

Uyandiswa Project Management Services

"Feeling Blessed". A Huge Shout Out to Uyandiswa Project Management Services. Thank You for your generous sponsorship. 

Everest Base Camp is Calling...

Everest Base Camp is Calling and I must go!!!!!
I have decided to skip the climb to Mount Toubkal in Morocco and climb the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The flights and logistics for Morocco was just to expensive (being in Africa) and I had to fly all the way to either Europe or Dubai and then fly back into Africa (almost wasting a whole day of traveling each way). So my dear peeps, while you are celebrating the festive season, I will be celebrating the my favorite activity - climbing / trekking mountains lol
So yes, I will be having and enjoying a white Xmas :o)

Please support me in raising funds for the Smile Foundation. Any donations will help towards this cause -http://www.backabuddy.co.za/naz-kremzars-peak-challenge

  

Your assistance is highly appreciated.