Viscious rumors of jeeps in the Circuit

[Michael Sunkist]

Nameste, haven't been to Nepal in a couple of years now. A climbing partner of mine told me there are now jeeps running up and down the trails of the circuit on the Ghore Pani to Muktinach side. I told him he was full of s&%t, no way would the Nepalis allow that. Is he for real? Did the trails get desecrated with vehicle travel and motor noise? Yikes! It's enough to make me never return if that is so. Happy trails all

[Escher]

See this thread (http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20417)

[yakshaver]

Yes, indeed. The Jomsom to Beni side is "vehicle worthy" in various places. I have done it last in mid 2007, and we have been passed by maybe 3-4 vehicles a day in the areas where they could circulate. On some other areas, especially near big villages, we were passed by some motorcycles. I guess the issue is not a big one now, in terms of noise and polution, but psychologically it is. And it may davelop into a non-trek on the Jomsom side if it increases. Which it seems likely, unfortunately.
Still I enjoyed it. For that time. If the traffic increasese even a little bit, it may make it unattractive for me. Someone has put togehter a very interesting "alternative trek". Maybe Escher can dig it out using his "digging" skills.

On the Marsyangdi side, while there's road work, there is (thankfulluy - and depends on who's perspective...) too much difficulty in creating a viable road. So it is still a beautiful unspoiled trek for the most part.

[Suginami]

I wonder when the first big busload of tourists will lumber up to Jomsom. With big heavy fat people waddling to the hotel with gas masks on. Never mind the motorbike tourists doing wheelies up and down the valley. And of course buses full of squealing silly Japanese dropping litter everywhere.:mad:

[yakshaver]

It would be a while Sugi, for the buses to come. The road building while easier than on Marsyangdi side, is still difficult in places. Nepal does not have the resources... It would continue to be an adventure of sorts, whether you do it on foot, on a motorbike or in a 4wd. At various times you'll need every one of these modes of transport. The chances of dying will increase. Simply this might make it more attractive to thrill seekers. Why go bungy jumping or sky diving when you can be driven sitting or standing in the tray of a jeep, inhaling fumes and body odour form thirtyfive other people squeezed in there, and with the chance of ending up tumbling into the Kali Gandaki?
Still, it will no longer be the the amazing trek that it was.

[Michael Sunkist]

Nameste fellow trekkers, I am beyond bummed. Had I known this was going to happen I'd have spent more time on that side of the circuit last time I was there. I'm sure Tatopani hot springs is super crowded now, bummer. My last time in a lodge at Kagbeni I listened to a TV all nite long. Mankind marches on, so sad, the circuit was the best beyond doubt of all the treks in Asia. Goodbye Nepal, it's been a fun 3 decades. I'm never to return again, I'll hang in India instead, the food is better anyways. Happy trails all

[Oli]

This is the price of progress, for better or worse. But Nepal still has many great opportunities for trekking amongst beautiful mountains far from the road head, tourism will continue to develop in other areas. I'm thinking next year I may trek around Manaslu. Have you been trekking in Kanchenjunga? Or Dolpa? I have never been in India, but I feel that Nepal has a lot left to offer before I need to trek elsewhere.

[Suginami]

Eastern Nepal, for the moment, offers various routes into Kumbu which makes good trekking, I think everyone knows this. Such a pity there are not more over to the West.

The thought of a TV in Kagbeni is really revolting. Still, I like birds and they are odd creatures who quite often like to be near humans as an easy source of food so I think I could still get in some great birding in December along the Jomson trek.

Dulikhel used to be quite pristine many years ago but it was over built and rough unpaved roads were literally gouged into the mountains creating nightmare gullies all over the place.

I suppose the routes to the various basecamps will be the best options for a while.

[yakshaver]

I also agree with Oli. Nepal will continue to offer a lot of amazing trekking. Simply because of the enourmous numbers of valleys criss-crossing the Himalayas, and the terrain. Let us remember that only a small fraction of the coutnry is inhabitable, and inhabited. End even in the partly inhabited treks, the choice of treks is seemingly endless. Nar-Phu/Manaslu, to Dolpa, Jumla/Rara Kanchenjunga, Maklalu, Langtang/Helambu, and the numerous treks in and around Khumbu - these are just some tremendous treks within my immediate awareness.
And even in the Annapurnas, there are, and will continue to be worthwile stuff to trek (like ABC, Tilicho) - road or no road.

[webmaster]

Yep they're there. But it saves the expense and hassle of trying to get a flight out of Jomsom.

325

Unlike planes, the jeeps carry as many people as can climb on. ;)

326

[Suginami]

Gosh what a picture. I know the exact place. Well I may end up there in January with the reluctant neice.:confused:

[Lars]

The thought of a TV in Kagbeni is really revolting.
When I was first time in Kagbeni in 1983 I had many thoughts of Kagbeni being
similar to what a city in Europe may have been like say in the 13th century.

None of the local inhabitants wore anything but traditional Nepali clothes. And
there were very few signs of any modernity or foreign influence.

Some days later, in Ghasa I think, we met some trekkers going "the other way"
and who had left Pokhara not long before. They told us of some sort of conflict
that had recently caught fire in Cyprus. I listened to it for a while but I was
too far away to grasp it. It felt as if I was removed from 20th century
Mediterranean not only by thousands of kilometers but also 500 years. It was
entirely irrelevant to me.

[Suginami]

I was there in 1983, too. Went up to Muktinath and all that. All traditional clothes, nose rings and many other things. October when it was very hot and I was many pounds lighter. I hiked with an Austrian girl who walked as far as Gorapani in barefeet.