Once you reach Lucla and step out of your plane or helicopter you will be greeted by many people, mostly porters. The porters will surround you and ask if you need some help in carrying your packs. Porters can be hired for a few American dollars per day. Sometimes they will request that you pay for their dinner at one of the many lodges scattered along the trail. I was surprised to see that the porters were quite short and wiry. I was also … [Read more...]
Nepal – Medical Kit
The medical kit is an essential part of what you or your porter carries on the trail. Some of these items may be much appreciated when you are feeling terrible on the trail. For more information on what to take for altitude sickness, the correct milligrams, and other medications consult your physician. See the Sanitation section for more information. Some of the minimal items are listed below: Water disinfectant: Iodine … [Read more...]
Nepal – What to Bring
Besides the medication and medical kit there is quite a bit that the trekker can bring. If you are going to hire a porter, put what you can into your bag and worry less about the weight. If you are going to carry your own pack you must prioritize what is really important to you on backpacking trips, and consider weight as a factor. If you are not planning on backpacking this list will still help you in your packing. Some of these items may be … [Read more...]
Nepal – Food
This was the important part of the trip for me. I like to eat! However by the end of the trek I could barely stand the sight much less the taste of the Nepali Himalayan food. First of all let me describe how the food is cooked and the process of a hungry tourist trying to get food. After a long day hiking on the trail you arrive at the lodge, more often then not, in the dark. There will be a few tourists or maybe none at all depending on the … [Read more...]
Nepal – Itinerary
The following is an itinerary for our hike from Lucla to the top of Kala Patar. The time allowed for this hike was a bit short. An extra day or two would help some people better acclimatize to the high altitude. General Day 1 Fly into Lucla (9,100 ft). Get porters and start hiking up the trail. From Lucla it is a 2.5 hour hike to Pakding at 8,600 ft. From Pakding it is a 2 hour hike to Mondzo at 9,300 ft. Then from Mondzo it is an hour … [Read more...]
Nepal – The Trek
This is a short story about a 12 day trek I took in the Himalayas. This was the trip that turned me on to International travel and was the direct inspiration for starting Dave’s Travel Corner, i.e., this website. Sometimes people speak of “a trip of a lifetime” – for me, Nepal was that trip. Be prepared to read – this is a long one! We were delayed in the Katmandu airport for some reason. Our guide speculated that someone had paid more money … [Read more...]
Nepal – Trekking Companies
Trekking differs from just a "hike" in that trekking is partly a cultural experience. While on the trail not only are you experiencing fantastic views of awesome scenery, but you are interacting with porters, meeting people from around the world who have come to hike in the Himalayas, as well as meeting the Sherpa people. Trekking can either be organized through established trekking companies or done solo. Expect to pay more for trekking … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Parks
Burton Creek State Park is over 1,800 acres and is Tahoe's second largest state park. There are over 12 miles of fire roads for either hiking or biking. This park is open for day use only and is located on Highway 28 just three miles north of Tahoe City. For more information call Phone (916) 525-7982. D.L. Bliss State Park is located 8 miles south of Tahoma on Highway 89. This is a 1200 acre park with 5 miles of hiking trails and 168 … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Hiking, Biking
The following are hiking or biking trails we have explored in the Tahoe Area. As time permits, we will visit additional local trails and provide more information here. Angora Lakes These set of two lakes are located about 10 miles from Emerald Bay. You can either take a car or bike here. Take the Fallen Leaf Road off of Highway 89 on the south side of the road. This is a narrow paved road that skirts Fallen Leaf Lake (about 1/2 mile in … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Restaurants
The following restaurants are located in the Lake Tahoe area. This list is only a small portion of the total restaurants in the Lake Tahoe basin so if you find your "favorite" restaurant is not listed here, please email Dave with your recommendation. Major casinos usually have multiple restaurants. Dave has chosen to profile restaurants that he has either heard good things about or has personally at. He categorizes the restaurants according … [Read more...]