Trekking has been the order of the day of late (with the trend to continue). During the second week of my first trip in Nepal we embarked on a 5 day trek in the Annapurna region. The Annapurna range is a load of high peaks (some over 8000m) in central Nepal, out to the west of Kathmandu and is a popular area for hikers.

We set off at the beginning of the week with our army of guides, porters, and cooks with the next 4 nights all being spent under canvas. Compared to the camping I had done in India this represented a considerable upturn in comfort levels with the tents already erected upon arrival, food cooked 3 times a day, and 'teacoffee' almost on tap. The walking was medium-tough and largely led by the German Laurie Sanchez who the guides struggled to keep up with. The highest point we reached on the trek was 3025m, a hill called Tara Top that afforded great views of the mountains Annapurna 2, 3, and 4, and Fishtail mountain. At that height the altitude factor doesn't really come in to play but after the sun went down and I had to sleep in a tent, the temperature factor certainly did. Given that this time next week we'll be at 5,500m + half way up Everest, I have this arvo been scared into buying a load more warm weather gear here in Kathmandu and one of those Michelin man jackets.

After Tara Top we had a couple of days trekking downhill before finally getting the bus back to the city of Pokhara. While downhill is a relief for a while it takes its toll on the old quads and the knees take a fair bit of punishment, so it seems as though you can't really win trekking in the Himalayas. Upon return to Pokhara I did a spot of paragliding off a hill near the town before the guides/porters put on a bit of a do back in the office grounds of the trekking company. Although ostensibly a celebration of the completion of a challenging 5 days trekking, its primary aim for is to extract a good tip from the trekkers and the chance for a bit of a knees up. After a nice meal the evening took a surreal turn when the tables were swiftly cleared away, lights turned down, colourful lights turned up, and what seemed like the NOW cd from around 1995 put on a high volume. The 30 or so porters/guides went absolutely mental and while dancing with a large group of 19 yr old males doesn't sound too good, it was extremely entertaining (especially their foolish copying of my dance moves).

We have since bussed it back to Kathmandu where the tour ended, and I joined up with the next group for the ascent of Everest (base camp). We have a short flight early tomorrow morning to the starting point of our 12 ish day trek. This sounds like it will be a different kettle of ball games entirely, with minus 15 degree temperatures guaranteed and a distinct lack of air.

Will update in a couple of weeks with the Everest stories - unfrostbitten fingers permitting.