Tag Archives: trek

Great Big Walk Day 3: Fly Bhadrapur (2420m). Drive to Ilam

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

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Great Big Walk: Going East Soon (i.e. tomorrow)

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

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Great Big Walk Day 2: In Kathmandu (1330m)

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

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Great Big Walk Day 1: In Kathmandu (1330m)

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

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5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO! For a Great Big Walk

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

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Packing for the Great Big Walk: Stage Three

Stage Three: Now that all gear has been pulled, it’s time for final decisions and grouping supplies into categories for bagging. This is our mini repair kit. It will allow us to patch our thermarests, resole our boots, and fix … Continue reading

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Packing for The Great Big Walk: Stage Two

Stage Two: it gets worse before it gets better!

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Let The Serious Packing Begin for The Great Big Walk

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

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Kathmandu Things I’m Looking Forward to on the Great Big Walk

These are a few of my favourite things about Kathamndu…we’ll be there in ten days! 1) Landing in Kathamndu and heading down to the Nargila for a fresh lemon soda and a plate of hummus! (Fresh lemon soda is fresh … Continue reading

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Great Big Walk: Not Quite There, Not Quite Here

It’s an awkward place. Not quite there. Not quite here. In between. Here. And. There. Preparations coming fast and furious while concluding and finishing happens simultaneously. How much yogurt do we need to finish off? Will we eat that big … Continue reading

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Five Things I’m Looking Forward To on The Great Big Walk

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

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21 Sleeps, 16 Hockey Games, and 6 Home-cooked Meals…the Countdowns Have Begin

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

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Great Big Preparations for the Great Big Walk

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

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You’re Invited to a Great Big Walk!

Great Big Walk 2014 Marian and I are taking a walk. A Great Big Walk. We want you to come along in any way you can…walking, rolling, slowly, quickly, running, jumping, singing…any which way that, gets you, or keeps you … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Extends Many Thanks to HKR 4210 Students

I hope you have enjoyed following along on this expedition and that you tried out some of the suggested activities along the way.  The activities were developed by students in HKR 4210: Teaching Leadership through Physical Activity class that I … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 25: May 9

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 25: We hope to take an early morning flight to Kathmandu Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? The jet stream buffets the top of Everest with hurricane force winds for much of the … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 24: May 8

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 24: Our final days trekking following the Dudh Khosi mostly downhill but with a last climb up to Lukla. We say goodbye to our support crew in traditional style. We stay in a tea house. … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 23: May 7

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 23: Trekking via Thyangboche where we stop for a visit to the Monastery, and via the settlements of Phunki Tenga and Kangjuma, we reach Namche Bazaar. Camp (3440m). Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 22: May 6

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 22: Descending the Imja Khola Valley via Dingboche we reach the main Khumbu Valley and pass through the village of Pangboche to our halt at Deboche. Camp (3710m). Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 21: May 5

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 21: An early start for the ascent of Island Peak at 6187m./20,299ft. After taking in the spectacular 360 panorama from the summit we descend to our base camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 20: May 4

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 20: A contingency day in case of delays to our schedule do far. May be used as a rest day or to split the ascent of Island Peak over two days with a high camp. … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 19: May 3

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 19: Scree slopes and an icefall are tackled to gain the Amphu Labtsa (5700m). We now descend fixed ropes to the Imja Glacier and trek to our base camp for Island Peak. Fun Fact of … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 18: May 2

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 18: A rest day. The guides and Sherpas ascend the Amphu Labtsa to establish fixed lines and prepare the pass for tomorrow’s crossing. Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Most climbers attempt … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 17: May 1

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 17: Passing beneath the giant west face of Chamlang we follow the Hongu Khola and finally the Hongu Glacier to the holy site of Panch Pokhri (five lakes). Camp (5400 meters). Fun Fact of the … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 16: April 30

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 16: After descending to the Hongu River we trek up valley to a camp beside a large frozen lake. (5000m). Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? In Nepal, people do not greet … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 15: April 29

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 15: We make the technically easy ascent of Mera Peak (6476m). The summit view includes 5 of the World’s 6 highest mountains. Descend to the Hongu Valley. Camp (5200m). Fun Fact of the Day DID … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 14: April 28

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 14: We continue our ascent of the North flank of Mera Peak to a spectacular eyrie nestled below a rocky outcropping on the ridge. Camp (5800m). Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? The … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 13: April 27

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 13: A rest and acclimatization day prior to the ascent of Mera Peak. Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? The Sherpa people are a group of people native to eastern Nepal that … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 12: April 26

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 12: Leaving our base camp we trek up onto the glacier and traverse to the Mera La. We make camp 100 metres below the pass on the Hongu side. Camp (5300m). Fun Fact of the … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 11: April 25

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 11: A day for further acclimatization. We follow the ridge above camp to around 5500 metres and return to Khare. Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Nepal is home to one of … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 10: April 24

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 10: We ascend an ablation valley beside the Dig Glacier to Kare, the basecamp area for Mera Peak. Camp (5000m). Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Mera and Island Peaks are technically classified … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 9: April 23

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 9: A second acclimatization day at Tagnag. Today is set aside for skills training particularly the techniques required for fixed lines and crevasse rescue. Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? There are … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 8: April 22

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 8: A day for acclimatization. We trek up above camp to around 5,000 metres for views across to the Mera La and return to Tagnag. Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? The … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 7: April 21

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 7: Following the west side of the Hinku River, we trek via the Yak herders’ summer settlement of Gondishung and its Buddhist shrine to Tagnag (4350m). Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 6: April 20

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 6: We follow a delightful descending trail across three ridges, before dropping steeply down to the Hinku River and a final uphill to Gotay (3600m). Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Archaeological … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 5: April 19

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 5: A long day mostly uphill to cross the Zatrwa La (4600m) and descend to Tuli Kharka a high pasture above the Hinku valley. Camp (4320m). Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Nepal … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 4: April 18

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 4: Acclimatization day. We make a trek up to around 4000 metres giving views over the Dudh Khosi Valley and across to the Atwra La pass. We return to Chutanga. Camp. Fun Fact of the … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 3: April 17

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 3: A short and easy day of trekking off the beaten track, up through thinning forest to the grazing area of Chutanga (3050m). Camp. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? Nepali, a branch … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 2: April 16

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 2: An early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Lukla (2840m). We spend the remainder of the day resting and acclimatizing. We stay in a tea house. Fun Fact of the Day … Continue reading

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Peaks and Passes Day 1: April 15

Expedition Itinerary Plan for Day 1: We meet the rest of the expedition crew in Kathmandu, pack our expedition duffels, and explore Kathmandu. Fun Fact of the Day DID YOU KNOW? According to UNESCO, Nepal contains four World Heritage Sites: … Continue reading

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