Tag Archives: climb

To Kharka Camp The trail to Chyamtang is at times hard to follow due to thick overgrowth. We descend to the Medokchheje Khola before the trail climbs and we follow the west fork. The trail is scrambly in places as … Continue reading →

Cross Lumbha Sambha La to Thudam (3556m) Today we gain magnificent views of the Lumbha Sambha as we climb to the crest of a saddle, the trail here is faint and often undefined due to snow. We traverse below a … Continue reading →

Sanku Link of the GHT from Olangchun Gola to Pass Camp (4453m) Commence Sanku link of the GHT from Olangchun Gola to Pass Camp (4453m). The Great Himalaya Trail crosses the rugged wilderness of the Lumbha Sambha to the Makalu … Continue reading →

Sanku link of the GHT from Olangchun Gola to Pass Camp (4453m) Commence Sanku link of the GHT from Olangchun Gola to Pass Camp (4453m). The Great Himalaya Trail crosses the rugged wilderness of the Lumbha Sambha to the Makalu … Continue reading →

Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity promotions/communications campaign designed to get individuals motivated and moving towards healthy, active living.  The Find Your Fit! website is an excellent resource for physical activity throughout the lifespan.  You are also invited to … Continue reading →

A Rest Day for us in Olangchun Gola Quote for the Day A lone peak of high point is a natural focal point in the landscape, something by which both travelers and local orient themselves. In the continuum of landscape, … Continue reading →

To Olangchun Gola (3191m) A relatively short day to Olangchun Gola. Olangchun Gola is one of the most important centres for trade between Nepal and Tibet in this region. Most commonly exports to Tibet include grain, sugar, cigarettes and cotton … Continue reading →

Cross Nango La (4776m) to Yangma Kola (3430m) An early start this morning will give us the best opportunity for clear views during our crossing of the Nango La. Once over the pass we descend to a bowl shaped valley. … Continue reading →

To Nango La Camp (4776m) From Ghunsa we descend the main trail alongside the Ghunsa Kola until we meet a junction in the trail, from here we ascend to a series of summer grazing pastures (Kharka) where we will camp … Continue reading →

Return trek to Ghunsa Today we retrace our path back down the valley to Ghunsa. Quote for the Day If I could not walk far and fast, I think I should just explode and perish. ― Charles Dickens Did You … Continue reading →

Return trek to Ghunsa Taking two days we retrace our steps back to Ghunsa. The return journey offers a different perspective of the mountain views and stunning surrounds.

Find Your Fit! Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity promotions/communications campaign designed to get individuals motivated and moving towards healthy, active living.  The Find Your Fit! website is an excellent resource for physical activity throughout the lifespan.  You are … Continue reading →

To Lhonak (4780m) Today will be another challenging day and an early start is needed. We climb lateral moraine for an hour before reaching a landslide section with large boulders which we must pass through at a steady pace. The … Continue reading →

To Kangpachen (4050m) The stage to Kangpachen is arguably one of the most spectacular day on trek. We pass through meadows full with wildflowers in the spring time, and we will pass through forests of rhododendron and pine with a … Continue reading →

In Ghunsa (3595m) Day 11 is our first rest day of the Great Big Walk. Quote for the Day Many people nowadays live in a series of interiors…disconnected from each other. On foot everything stays connected, for while walking one … Continue reading →

To Ghunsa (3595m) The stage to Ghunsa marks a change in the scenery with rhododendron, camellias and azaleas along the trail. We pass by the village of Phale, a Tibetan refugee settlement where it is possible to purchase handicrafts and … Continue reading →

To Gyabla (2730m) The valley begins to widen on the stage to Gyabla, and rather than climbing up and down it is a more gradual and steady ascent until we reach the outskirts of the pretty village of Gyabla.  The … Continue reading →

To Amjilosa (2308m). The stage from Sukathum to Amjilosa is a challenging day. After crossing the suspension bridge outside Sukathum we enter dense forest once again until the valley narrows into steep gorge country.The sound of the river is deafening … Continue reading →

To Chiruwa (1270m) The trail ascends and descends steadily for approximately 4 hours as we make our way towards the Tamor Khola and the valley floor at Nagadin. This area is significant to the history of Nepal and is where … Continue reading →

Walk To Mitlung (1542m) Today we will begin our Great Big Walk!  We will walk approximately four hours to Mitlung.  The trails throughout the lower sections of the Kanchenjunga region pass through fertile valleys that typically produce up to three … Continue reading →

Drive to Taplejung (1820m). Today we plan to drive to Taplejung. Flights can sometimes be delayed due to mountain weather and so flexibility and patience may be required. The Kanchenjunga region is home to Sherpa, Limbu, Rai and Gurung people.  … Continue reading →

Today we fly  to Bhadrapur (2420m) and then drive to Ilam. Bhadrapur is situated in the terai, south east of Lukla. The flight from Kathmandu takes approximately  50 minutes and affords views of the entire trek and the Himalaya from … Continue reading →

We had an excellent day touring some of the famous spots of Kathamandu, including my favourite, Boudhanath Stupa. The stupa is the second largest in the world and the largest in Nepal. The stupa was alive with many folks celebrating … Continue reading →

This morning we’ll be sightseeing and taking in  key attractions in and around Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley has an amazing range of fascinating highlights.  We will visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath (two favourite places of mine). Quote for the Day All … Continue reading →

Meeting the Expedition Team In Kathmandu (1330m) Today we will be meeting up with the members of our expedition team.  We’ll try to get to know each other, build team bonds, and work to take care of last minute tasks … Continue reading →

Bags are packed. No sleeps left. No hockey games left. A few more things on the to-do list left to do and then 34 hours of travel. We fly St. John’s to Halifax to London to Delhi to Kathmandu. We … Continue reading →

Stage Two: it gets worse before it gets better!

And so it begins… Step One: Start pulling all the gear on the list.

1) Seeing lots and lots of prayer flags. Prayer flags are flown on high passes, on summits and around stupas and other holy places in Nepal. The different colours represent the different elements. The flags have prayers/intentions printed on them … Continue reading →

As is the case with most expeditions, there comes a time where the countdowns begin. My injured finger has finally allowed me to return to hockey and so I decided to count how many games remain in this season…16! Of … Continue reading →

As I type this, the kettle just boiled and Marian just flipped another page of our Great Himalaya Trail book. She’s been reading it as I’ve been working on the map above. We’ve been documenting/learning about our route through a … Continue reading →