TREKKING THE HIMALAYAS

AMADABLA

INTRODUCTION

Nepal has long held a fascination for many people as it has a combination of the worlds most spectacular scenery, the highest mountains and the renowned hospitality of the Nepalese people. A good friend, George Smith fired up my imagination with his description of his exploits in Nepal. For those like myself who are interested in the flora and fauna, the Himalayas are a paradise with a vast array of plants from the forest giants in the tropics, to tiny leaved alpines some at over 6,000 meters in the mountains. My travels started in  1991 with the first trek into Mustang and has lead me back to Nepal many times to explore more of this incredible country. Before the first  trek to Mustang I spent many months getting fit, imagine my surprise to find elderly people, 68 years of age at the oldest, setting out with us from Kathmandu. Pacing yourself is the secret and making enough time, they all finished the trek except for Geoffrey who had to be flown out with a suspected broken rib after a fall. The three week trek to altitude is a recipe, if not for disaster, for an extremely uncomfortable time with a throbbing head, breathlessness and feeling awful for much of the time. One more week can transform a nightmare into a pleasurable experience and the cost is little more as flights are the biggest single item of expense. If the details of my treks fire up your enthusiasm to give it a try no matter what your age then the work putting this information together has been worthwhile. I always am on the look out for like minded people able to trek for longer than normal, but it is a fact that very few people have the time off work or from other commitments to be able to do this. Six weeks is a nice time span and so much can be accomplished without the need to set a fixed itinerary in fact I have often put two normal treks back to back as once acclimatized one can accomplish a lot more and enjoy the travelling. 

David Ketley

Dunge Valley Hidden Gardens
& Hardy Plant Nursery,
Windgather Rocks, Kettleshulme,
Nr. Whaley Bridge, (Stockport)
High Peak, SK23 7RF,
ENGLAND
Tel / Fax: 01663 733787

E-mail me at david@dungevalley.co.uk