First time in Nepal - Annapurna Circuit Trek advice needed

[Doppelwhipper]

So, we're going to do this starting some time in the first week of September. As you can imagine, I have many questions so I guess I'll just number them off:

1) What sort of map is required and are these readily available in Kathmandu/Pokhara? Is the trail easily followed or is there a fairly reasonable chance of going astray?

2a) What gear will we need?

From what I've read, we'll need trousers and a jacket for going over Thorung La. How cold does it get?

Obviously, we'd like to be as light as possible. We're currently thinking one set of clothes for when we're walking and one for when we're not. On top of that we'll need the relevant medicines and accessories. So in my mind now I have something like:

Boots
Flip flops
Trekking socks x4
Shorts x2
T-shirts x2
Sleeping bag
Trousers
Jacket
Travel towel
Water bottle
Head torch
Medicines & toiletries
Poncho (?) <--have one with me but it weighs like 700g so I'd rather not bring it if I don't really need it.

All in some sort of bag than has a waist strap to put the weight on our hips! I'm thinking we'll need to buy bags because the small one I have with me is probably too small and my rucksack weighs 3kg on its own which isn't ideal. What kind of total weight do you think we could get away with each?

2b) What kind of money are we looking at for these things and is it better to buy in Kathmandu or Pokhara/other?

3) How much money will we need?

I was reading a thread in this forum and people were saying $15-$20 per person per day for food and lodging which kind of threw me as I was expecting it to be cheaper than that.

4) How difficult is the trek?!

Perhaps a bit of a silly question but I'm just wondering if the ascents/descents are mostly gradual or brutally steep. From seeing a profile of the trekking route, I notice that the route up Thorung La is the steepest. How difficult is this, coupled with the altitude?

5) We're planning on doing the trek without porters or a guide, mostly because we probably don't have the money to hire anybody! However, I've been thinking that it might be an idea to get porters at the higher altitudes. Is it possible to pick them up on the way or is it something that needs to be arranged in Pokhara?

6) I've read that parts of the second half of the trail have been destroyed by some road that they're building which is unfortunate. Should we do it anyway? If we decide to fly back from Jomsom, how much might that cost?

Any other advice you might have would be great! I hope you can take the time to answer as many of the questions as you can. I know there were many!

Thanks!

[Escher]

Most of your questions are answered in detail here the FAQ (http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9042) and here Trekking hints and tips (http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3066)

[Escher]

1) What sort of map is required and are these readily available in Kathmandu/Pokhara? Is the trail easily followed or is there a fairly reasonable chance of going astray?

>>Trails are easy to follow. Maps are handy to look at to decipher which mountains are which but you don't need one for navigation. Available everywhere in Nepal.

2a) What gear will we need?

From what I've read, we'll need trousers and a jacket for going over Thorung La. How cold does it get?

>> Can be below freezing, you'll need some warm clothes and a hat.

Obviously, we'd like to be as light as possible. We're currently thinking one set of clothes for when we're walking and one for when we're not. On top of that we'll need the relevant medicines and accessories. So in my mind now I have something like:

Boots
Flip flops
Trekking socks x4
Shorts x2
T-shirts x2
Sleeping bag
Trousers
Jacket
Travel towel
Water bottle
Head torch
Medicines & toiletries
Poncho (?) <--have one with me but it weighs like 700g so I'd rather not bring it if I don't really need it.

>> You might get some rain, bring something to wear when its wet. A poncho is a good as anything.

All in some sort of bag than has a waist strap to put the weight on our hips! I'm thinking we'll need to buy bags because the small one I have with me is probably too small and my rucksack weighs 3kg on its own which isn't ideal. What kind of total weight do you think we could get away with each?

>> Around 8-12kgs

2b) What kind of money are we looking at for these things and is it better to buy in Kathmandu or Pokhara/other?

> 40-50 litre pack will be fine. Depends how much you want to spend. I would get something from home and have it fitted in a proper shop. It is worth the extra expense to get something that fits and is comfortable to carry.

3) How much money will we need?

I was reading a thread in this forum and people were saying $15-$20 per person per day for food and lodging which kind of threw me as I was expecting it to be cheaper than that.

>> Nope that is what it costs

4) How difficult is the trek?!

Perhaps a bit of a silly question but I'm just wondering if the ascents/descents are mostly gradual or brutally steep. From seeing a profile of the trekking route, I notice that the route up Thorung La is the steepest. How difficult is this, coupled with the altitude?

>> Its doable for an averagely fit person. The Throung La is steep in places but not technical. If you can handle the altitude and have a good clear day and just keep putting one foot in front of the other you'll be fine. But follow acclimatisation schedules and if you are struggling don't go any higher until you feel better.

5) We're planning on doing the trek without porters or a guide, mostly because we probably don't have the money to hire anybody! However, I've been thinking that it might be an idea to get porters at the higher altitudes. Is it possible to pick them up on the way or is it something that needs to be arranged in Pokhara?

>> Ask at any of the lodges on the way if you need a porter. But if you have carried your stuff for 10 days up to the Thorung La then you shouldb e able to carry it over too. You will be much fitter by then

6) I've read that parts of the second half of the trail have been destroyed by some road that they're building which is unfortunate. Should we do it anyway? If we decide to fly back from Jomsom, how much might that cost?

>> Do it anyway. The trek has not been "destroyed" there is just a road there now but there isn't any heavy traffic yet. There are still many interesting places to see and things to do on the circuit, it is also a really nice extension to head out via Ghorepani and Chhomrong/Ghandruk rather than Beni. It is still worth doing the whole AC IMO. See my opinion on this here Annapurna Circuit Trip Report (http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11070)

>> There is a September AC trip report here too September AC report (http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8614)

Any other advice you might have would be great! I hope you can take the time to answer as many of the questions as you can. I know there were many!

>> Have a read of the links above and come back with any more questions that you don't find answered in there.

>> Make sure you do the side trip to Ghyaru and Ngawal. It does not add any time to the trek but it is a real highlight.

[Doppelwhipper]

Thanks for the reply. I had a read of those links and have a few more questions.

I'm a bit worried that we're too underprepared in terms of gear. We've actually been in India for the last 5 weeks and are going straight to Nepal only with what we have with us. We have boots but not much else in the way of "hiking equipment".

Specifically, I'm concerned about the backpack, water bottle and water purification. Right now I can either use my 60L backpack (which weighs 3kg on its own) or else buy one in Nepal. I understand that getting a proper one that fits won't be easy. Surely we can pick up a water bottle? As regards water purification, we have some iodine tablets but definitely not enough to get us through the entire trek. Is it possible to get these?

Oh and is Kathmandu the best place to buy?

Thanks

[Escher]

You have no worries then. You can get everything you need in Kathmandu. Pack, bottle and water treatment no problem at all. If you want to get your stuff in Pokhara there are shops there too. There is more choice in Kathmandu though. The only item you need to bring from home is footwear and you have that covered.

[Lars]

I have trekked without porter quite a few times. I have had too little with me
one time, and too heavy a pack at least once. Gave me blisters on my foot
soles after a couple of days. Nowadays I start out with 16 - 17 kgs. That
includes abt 3 kgs edibles that will obviously become lighter along the way.

I think sandals are better to have than flip flops. Synthetic, that will dry quickly.
http://web.telia.com/~u84408784/Trek/Dusty_feet.jpg
In these I can walk a good bit of the trek, which I would not in flip flops.
And I can have wooly socks in them in the evenings when I mellow out by
the fire place.

Two T-shirts is hardly enough. One to wear while trekking and another one to
sleep in, plus another two to change with. You will get sweaty and dusty
when trekking, and you can not be sure to do laundry every day.

You ask if we think you can do it. And you have told us absolutely nothing
about yourself. Are you a man or a woman? 19 or 90? Romanian or Viking?
It is not fair, I may as well ask if you like the record I play just now. :)

[Doppelwhipper]

Thanks for the info Escher, that put me at ease.

Yes I really should have given more info about myself. My girlfriend and I are 22 and neither of us are overweight. I'm no viking :) . I don't think I'm extremely fit and if I'm honest I'd say I'm still living off my "fitness reservoir" from my slightly younger days. However, I've never really had a problem with any hill walking or trekking including a recent three day trek in Kashmir that involved a steep and seemingly never ending ascent on the first day. My girlfriend also managed it but with more difficulty it must be said.

Nonetheless, there's no way I'd be capable of lugging around 15-17kgs so I'll really be trying to pack light. I'd rather be smelly than bent in two, backtracking home after two days!

Lars,

I had a pair of those sandals when I began my trip but they have since passed away and been replaced by flip flops. I bought "hiking" boots as opposed to "trekking" boots back home because I knew I'd need them later down the line in my trip. They are quite light though (750g each is light, yeah?) so I was thinking of always walking in them and just bringing a pair of flimsy flip flops, which again will keep the weight down.

When you say you had too little one time, what did you find you were missing? And conversely, what was the excess the time your pack was too big?

[julia]

I think there is a very fine line in getting the kit right. I carried around 12kg on the AC, which I did have a moan about, but the fitter you get the lighter it seems to become! But to enjoy the trip you dont want to being lugging too much with you.

I think the only thing I didn't use that I carried was my book, so next time I dont intend to take one on the trek. You can buy them at some villages anyway.

I took with me, 3 tshirts, 2 pair trousers, 2 long johns, 4 pair socks/liners, 4 undies, sunhat, duvet jacket, duvet slippers, . sleeping bag, silk liner, windproof jacket/trousers. In the evening I usually wore my long johns with wind proof bottoms over the top, which left my trousers free for trekking. 2 pair gloves, thin and thicker ones, warm hat. water bladder and the metal one to use for hot water bottle at night. Walking poles.

Wash kit, shampoo/conditioner, soap, hand wash, various creams put into smaller containers, hair brush, toothpaste/brush, talc, clothes wash in small tube. medical stuff.

We did clothes washing most days, apart from higher up as it is too chilly and you dont have the energy anyway! At Manang I used the wash service offered at the lodge, it was great, they did a really good job! Worth the money.

If your girlfriend likes to wash her hair, unless it is short and drys quickly, I suggest she doesn't do it when the temperature starts to go down. I found it reduced my body temperature too much and I couldn,t get warm. So instead of washing my hair I just wore my hat!

We didn't take waterproofs, most of the time we had good weather, but when it did rain it was in the afternoons about 3ish, so we were normally at a lodge by then. We only got wet once, and luckily it was the 2nd from last day, so it wasn't a problem. But next time just to be on the safe side we are going to take ponchos, the ones that go over the rucksack too. Lots of the Japanese wore them.

Hope some of this helps.

J :)

[Escher]

It is very possible to carry a lot less than 16-17 kgs on the tea house trekking routes. I carried that last Spring on the AC and had a 1kg SLR, 3 heavy lenses, flash, a video camera, 2 tripod heads and a tripod as well as all my trekking gear. Lars, I would think, is very happy to carry a load and takes exactly what he wants - maybe a few luxuries- but could carry a lot less if he had to. I would make efforts to keep you pack as light and small as you can - it will really help - aim for 10kgs.

I would make sure you have enough warm clothing - layers and/or a down jacket - a windproof top, warm hat, sun protection - screen, glasses, hat - a couple of sets of clothes, a few pairs of socks, water bottle, sleeping bag, camera, book and toothbrush. They are plenty of shops along the way so if there is anything you have forgotten you can pick it up on the way. You can get sunscreen , batteries, hats, gloves and socks and other things in Tal, Chame, Manang and other places too. Better to take the minimum and get some extra if you need it rather than overload yourself with too much gear. Make sure you have enough clothes if you put them all on to be warm when it is below freezing and that your sleeping bag is warm enough and you'll be fine. It is certainly possible to wash your clothes every couple of days and dry them by the stove or on the back of your pack whilst walking.

It isn't a wilderness trek by any means, it'll be quite warm until you are a few days in and once you get higher you can pick up some extra layers if you need them and are feeling the cold.

If you do the whole trek and walk out via Ghorepani both you and your girlfiend will be very fit. The best way and place in the world to get in shape in my opinion. If you start off a little but rusty then after a few days walking you will definitely tone up. IMO longer treks are better as you get to enjoy your fitness a few days in. Some of the short treks can be brutal and you get no time to get used to it. I've never fancied the Poon hill trek - often advertised as an easy short trek from Pokhara - but it involves thousands of steps up to 2800m from 1000m in a couple of days then all the way down again. That's a great intro to Himalayan hills!

[Lars]

If you do the whole trek and walk out via Ghorepani both you and your
girlfiend will be very fit. The best way and place in the world to get in shape
in my opinion. If you start off a little but rusty then after a few days walking
you will definitely tone up.
That is one reason why the Annapurna trek is very good for first timers. The
villages are very close the first several days, and there are many good lodges.
You can break up the trek into manageable days so as not to develop bad
blisters or body aches that will be with you the whole trek.
You will get a lot fitter after a few days.

Some of the extra weight I carry is goodies to sweeten my mood when the hill
is steep and I am in "cat mood", wanting to be where I am not.

I have a jungle mix of 1 kg dark chocolate, 1 kg nuts, and ½ kg raisins. Then
I have a large cheese, minimum 1 kg. And two packs of Wasa rye bread (dry
and crispy), and a couple of tubes sandwich spread.
I always have a good book, and a thin blanket, from Kathmandu, for when it
is too warm in my sleeping bag. And I have a couple of Lunghis (sarong) for
various use. I usually wrap my pillow in one. Four T-shirts and short
underwear, two long johns and long sleeved T-shirts.
And I have some tools, pair of plyers, steel wire, glue etc. And a bootable CD
with computer tools on it. I rarely leave home without one of those!

And of course I have a warm down jacket and sleeping bag, at least one
fleece jacket and a rain coat. After a few days I don't really feel the weight
of my pack that much. When the trek is finished I feel quite strange when
walking without it, I bounce about and almost fall over.

And I regret having come down to the ugliness, noise and pollution, and I
ponder once again my plan for how to just keep trekking forever and ever.
I love rest days out on the trek, but gosh how soon I tire of Pokhara or Ktmndu!

[Landfall38]

Regarding water purification: the Annapurna circuit is special because there are "purified water stations" placed every 1-2 days -- it costs ~50 rupees for clean water (purified using reverse osmosis, the best method). This project was setup with help of Kiwis -- it is great. But bring iodine (tablets easiest but drops fine) for times there is no station.

Don't buy bottled water on trek-- no place in nepal to recycle bottles and they litter everywhere. And there are always stories/rumours of contaminated bottle water .though I have not seen proof.

Last year it cost 1800-2000 rupees per day for us as a couple on the AC.

Agree with Escher: don't miss the Gyaru/Ngawal high route. Also, despite the road the route below Jomson is still worth it. Really, there is no traffic (at least, not last year).

It will be cold at night Yak Kharka to Muktinath -- have a good sleeping bag.

Bring drugs for stomach (Tinidazole for Giardia; cipro for trav. diarrhea) -- shit happens.:confused:

Landfall38

[Escher]

Bring drugs for stomach (Tinidazole for Giardia; cipro for trav. diarrhea)

You can buy these in Kathmandu easily and cheaply.

[Doppelwhipper]

Greeting from Kathmandu! Arrived this morning and slept all day:) Now we're beginning to think about what we need to get together over the next couple of days.


I took with me, 3 tshirts, 2 pair trousers, 2 long johns, 4 pair socks/liners, 4 undies, sunhat, duvet jacket, duvet slippers, . sleeping bag, silk liner, windproof jacket/trousers. In the evening I usually wore my long johns with wind proof bottoms over the top, which left my trousers free for trekking. 2 pair gloves, thin and thicker ones, warm hat. water bladder and the metal one to use for hot water bottle at night. Walking poles.
Thanks Julia that was very hepful. Could the list be cut down to something like the following?:

2 Tshirts
1 long sleeve tshirt
1 pair water proof trousers
1 pair long johns
2 shorts
4 socks
4 undies
1 sunhat
down jacket
sleeping bag
silk liner
light windproof jacket
light poncho
1 pair gloves
wolly hat
metal water bottle
1 pole

Questions:
I've never been up really high in the mountains or in any real conditions of extreme cold. The coldest it gets back home (Ireland) is probably -2/3 but I'm sure I'd be warm if I were wearing say, one long sleeve, one short sleeve, the windproof jacket, the heavy jacket, the long johns and the windproof trousers. Yay or nay?

A problem occurred the other day when we realised that my girlfriend is fairly alergic to down. Are there synthetic options available in KTM?

What grade leping bag should I be aiming for?

Is trekking au naturale of any benefit or would I be leaving myself open to rahes etc.?

What should I be looking for in a water bottle? Metal seems like a good option so it can be filled with boiling water but i there anything else important?

One trekking pole sufficient?

Would it be a good idea to rent the jacket and sleeping bag intead, given that I'm heading to Thailand after Nepal, and then on to Sydney and NZ during their summer? Any recommendations for a good place to rent?

What's the best way to actually start the trek? Should we overnight in Besishar and then start early the next morning?

Is there any decent literature available that details the trek day by day. I've read tuff in guidebooks and on the web but I forget most of it and I'd rather not carry around a big printout.
Thanks!

[Oli]

That kit list sounds fine. There is usually little point obsessing about minor details if you have all the obvious essentials covered. Synthetic bags should be available for rent, just ask around. One walking pole is plenty. Beware the water bottles that you get in Kathmandu sometimes get a bit leaky if you use then with boiling water - they are probably not genuine Nalgene or Sigg bottles.

If you have plenty of time and plan to hangout in Pokhara to relax after your trek then consider starting via there so you can dump spare gear and have it handy when you get back to town. There is no point in staying in Besi when you arrive, unless its very late in the day walk out of town a way before looking for a lodge.

Get the Himalaya Maphouse map of the Annapurna circuit, even just the 200NRs pocket version. You don't really need a guidebook, but I would highly recommend the Trailblazers guide as definitely worth carrying, copies available in Thamel for sure.

Have a good trek.

[a1jbg]

"Is trekking au naturale of any benefit or would I be leaving myself open to rahes etc.?"

You would be leaving yourself open to much more than rashes if you attempted to trek "au naturale" in Nepal, including verbal and physical abuse.

Keep yourself modestly covered at ALL times!

[Doppelwhipper]

No, I meant walking with nothing underneath my shorts! haha

If you go to Pokhara first, where do you start the trek? We have exactly 4 weeks starting from today and we were hoping to do a little paragliding in Pokhara afterwards.

[Escher]

You still start in Besisahar. It is 2 1/2 hour taxi ride from Pokhara (instead of 4-5 from Kathmandu). Going from Pokhara means you can leave early in the morning and start trekking by 10.30am or so - this will be earlier than trekkers arriving from Kathmandu so you can stagger the stages you walk. You should be able to make Bahundanda for the first night which is my favourite place to stay for the first night as you feel like you have really started the trek once there. 4 weeks is plenty to make it to Pokhara do the whole of the Circuit (including walking out via Ghorepani/Chhomrong/Ghandruk - and not flying out of Jomsom), then some para-gliding before getting back to KTM

[Petrus]

I do not get this idea of first getting to Pokhara to be able to start before trekkers coming form Kathmandu, those Kathmandu trekkers beat Pohkara trekkers clearly by starting their trek a day earlier, for god's sake! How is 8 hours to Pokhara, overnight, then 3 hour backtrak faster than just 6 hours from Kathmandu?

If you want to get a bit ahead a better idea is to hike 1-2 hours after the bus trip. Most people just get to a hotel in the first village after the bus, but if you walk untill sundown you prectically gain half a day's worth of milage.

[Escher]

I do not get this idea of first getting to Pokhara to be able to start before trekkers coming form Kathmandu, those Kathmandu trekkers beat Pohkara trekkers clearly by starting their trek a day earlier, for god's sake! How is 8 hours to Pokhara, overnight, then 3 hour backtrak faster than just 6 hours from Kathmandu?

If you want to get a bit ahead a better idea is to hike 1-2 hours after the bus trip. Most people just get to a hotel in the first village after the bus, but if you walk untill sundown you prectically gain half a day's worth of milage.

Errm I think you have got the wrong end of stick there! I was talking about if you go to Pokhara first (as I like to do as I like Pokhara, and enjoy the flight to Pokhara too - I don't recommend buses as I hate them myself and don't want to spend 8 hours sat on one if I can help it) then you can kick off your trek earlier in the day then you would if you had to drive from Kathmandu so you can be 1/2 a day out of sync with the Kathmandu trekkers at the beginning of the trek. Not so that you can do the whole trek quicker! You are right that would be crazy ("for god's sake") and wasn't what I was suggesting at all! :rolleyes: You obviously aren't going to be quicker overall if you spend an extra night in Pokhara! :cool:

My preference is to spend a night or two in Kathmandu, fly to Pokhara - spend a night or two there - then get a taxi to Besisahar. That way I enjoy the flight, enjoy the chilled atmosphere of Pokhara and enjoy the first view of the Annapurna range before having to spend only 2.5 hours on the road. Much more relaxing and for me is a better use of time if you want to visit Pokhara before the trek (if you hate buses) than driving straight to Besisahar in my opinion. Of course if you want to start trekkign as soon as you arrive in the country then a bus straight to Besi will be the best option.

Last Spring when we did the AC again we flew to Pokhara and drove to Besi and we didn't see another trekker at all for the first 3 days, saw the first on the way up to Tal and shared the first lodge with other trekkers at Upper Pisang, mainly because it was quiet but also because we chose to walk out of sync with other's itineraries. Getting an early start from Pokhara can help as can walking after you arrive from KTM in Besi and many other ways too. After all, you just have to walk an extra half day that others aren't doing. But if you are going to Pokhara anyway (just because you want to) then you can get a headstart on trekkers who arrive from Kathmandu on that day. :D

[Doppelwhipper]

The guy in Shona (English dude) told us that a down jacket wasn't necessay at this time of year. We got waterproof jackets and reasonably heavy fleeces so I just want to check that those two, coupled with another few layers will be ok for Thoung La. He was extremely helpful and I'v no reason to think he was lying or didn't know what he was talking about. Just want a second opinion to be safe.

[Escher]

The guy in Shona (English dude) told us that a down jacket wasn't necessay at this time of year. We got waterproof jackets and reasonably heavy fleeces so I just want to check that those two, coupled with another few layers will be ok for Thoung La.

He's right a down jacket is not necessary. But if you already own one it is worth taking anytime of the year. It isn't for getting over the Thorung La that you would use it but sitting around lodges in the evening. But as you are going during probably the warmest part of the trekking season then you can easily manage without, it won't be a waste if you do want to take one, but what you have is fine. It is only mid winter that you really need one.

[Suginami]

don`t go short on underwear or a washable swimming costume which dries quickly. after long trekking days fresh socks and underwear feel great and keep you healthy. dirty socks are a no-no. keep washing them.

layers for clothing. fleece is good. down items are light and easily rented.

in Kathmandu and Pokara there are lots of really good supermarkets for shampoo, patuli or other things like that.

I would NEVER go trekking without binoculars

Above all. Look nice. There is no need to look really scuffy. Scaggy beards are so dirty and horrible. Brush them at least. A good trekker is neat and presentable. Women do really well in a long skirt and scraves wound round their hair and look really good.

I don:t know why so may trekker look like they just crawled out of a bomb crater.

And NO running shorts. Please!!!

[julia]

And NO running shorts. Please!!!


I couldn't agree more about the running shorts, and short shorts should be banned! Actually, I think a guy who has come off the mountains looking like a real mountain man looks quite attractive!

You should be ok without a down jacket if you do not have one, but Escher is right, it is more for sitting around in the evenings, if it is very cold you could always wrap yourself up in your sleeping bag.

You will love the paragliding in Pokara, we were watching them in March this year, I hope you have good weather for it. I tried a bit of paragliding in England, but decided it wasn't for me, you need to have good concentration, which I don't have, but I did quite a bit tandem, I had faith in the pilots ability!

Have a great time. :)

[kegarne]

I love the scruffy feeling of coming out of the mountains having not showered for weeks...it is one of the best parts of hiking long distances.
Getting back to Pokhara and having a shower and a shave and putting on fresh clothes...one of the greatest feelings in the world.:)

[yakshaver]

I love the scruffy feeling of coming out of the mountains having not showered for weeks...it is one of the best parts of hiking long distances.
Getting back to Pokhara and having a shower and a shave and putting on fresh clothes...one of the greatest feelings in the world.:)

Just trying to figure if this is some kind of negative reinforcement (rather like the pleasure one feels when entering a warm room after spending a long time in the bitter cold ouside, or perhaps like releaving oneself after a long bus journey without a chance for a rest room... - in other words the pleasure derived from the removal of some pain). Or is it the simple, yet weird and powerful, pleasure much like my son had in terms of not washing for months. Then after about 10 months or so, he'd wash with gusto, whether this was needed or not. He kept up us this pattern until he turned 11 and started noticing the existence of girls.

[Doppelwhipper]

Two people so far today have warned me about landslides. Do I have much to worry about? What's worst case scenario in this regard? (Getting swallowed up in one?)

[oriana]

If you are not an experienced hiker, I would recommend getting a porter. It will make things alot easier for you when trekking. High elevation can cause a problem and the least amount you are carrying the better. One of the most important things is your footwear. Make sure your boots have good tread and are "waterproof"...they should be comfortable and should give you support. The second most important is having the proper warm clothing...regardless of time of year, mtn weather is unpredictable!

Regardless of how small you are, if you are not fit than it might take you longer to do the trek than the average hiker( going to the gym is not using the same muscles as trekking..)...be prepared! If you want to enjoy it..spending a bit more money will make you happier and you will have a better experience.

You can buy gear when you are there..the basics are pretty straight forward, you can google it and find out what you need.

If you have a porter, you can carry light..as you will be staying in tea houses.

Don't underestimate the mtns and the changes that can occur. Being prepared, regardless of the popularity of a trek is important!

Have fun and be safe.