Music and pictures?

[ChiefBrody]

Doing the EBT. My plan is to get the Creative Muvo 512mb MP3 player because it takes one AAA battery. I plan to bring a lot of batteries. My Sony digital camera takes a chargable battery. I was planning to buy about 5 or 6 batteries, and change them when needed. However, I know the cold drains them. I assume I won't have the opportunity to plug anything in.

What do you all do about these two things?

[yakshaver]

There is power at Lukla and Namche, and if you have the right adaptor.... Ah, you may have the 110volts - so forget about it. The power in Nepal is at 220-240v. There may be an adaptor for that too.
The other thing with the AAA batteries... You can find to buy AA batteries on trek - various degrees of quality and charge. But I can't remember AAAs being available in the logdes on trek.
So you might be better off sicking to your plan and bring good alkaline or lithium stuff, which will last you. Provided you keep them in your room at night, you should be ok for the trek.

I usually bring my own batteries on trek.

[Sharon]

Make sure you put your AAA batteries in your checked luggage flying to Lukla. Don't ask me why but my girlfriend had her AAA batteries taken from her carry on baggage and confiscated. Seems a bit strange as we went through security where they were taken and entered the departure lounge for our flight to Lukla where the kiosks sold AAA batteries. Made no sense but it cost her a few bucks in replacing the batteries. Go with the flow when in Nepal...

[Holy stRoller]

http://www.greenshop.co.uk/acatalog/iSun-main.jpg
How about charging as you go? I will be taking all my little electric gizmos for a three week walkabout in the Khumbu, camera (4xAA), GPS (2xAA), couple of torches/flashlights (4xAA) walkman (2xAA) The thought of lugging a couple of kilos of batteries around to support my electronic habit, and bringing all the dead ones back with me does not apeal. So I've ordered one of these isun chargers. They claim to be able to charge 10 AA batteries in 6 to 7 hours.

[Holy stRoller]

I meant to say,..... it charges AAA as well!

[ian2u]

I found the Energiser AA Lithium best choice, last 3 times as long as best Duracell or 2300mA rechargeables, worked at -25C on summit day, weights 60% of duracell. There were good deals on these last year in Home Depot and some WalMarts. Normal AA rapidly loose power in the cold. Locally bought AA's usually cr@p. Cant get Lithium AAA.

I got an iRiver 512Mb which used one AA. Last trek was 4 weeks and I only needed to change battery once and below freezing overnight for 2 weeks.

Definitely want Lithium AA in head torch for any summit days. I wouldnt risk climbing with normal AAs.

No problems with bringing them into KTM in checked in luggage - I had 25 (had a lot for my digital camera which has a seperate battery / handle for 6 AA)

I found WMA better than MP3 since you can compress more for same quality.

Also I am not sure how long the solar charge takes - I tried out a small one in full sun at home and gave up in disgust - also the weight of the charger is a lot more than all the batteries you would ever need - provided they were lithium.

[Lars]

Don't ask me why but my girlfriend had her AAA
batteries taken from her carry on baggage and confiscated. Seems a bit
strange as we went through security where they were taken and
entered the departure lounge for our flight to Lukla where the kiosks
sold AAA batteries.
I believe there has been some case where an explosive device was built
into a battery and made to detonate onboard an aircraft.

[Sharon]

Yes, that may be the case that a bomb was built. Why then are they selling batteries in the departure lounge right after security confiscates batteries. So we can buy them and take them as carry on. Probably the same batteries they just confiscated... only in Nepal!

[ian2u]

On the last KTM - Lukla flight we had a couple of small pen knives taken off two of our group at the security check, put in a plastic bag, then returned to us in the dearture lounge, so they werent lost!

[happycamper]

Yes, that may be the case that a bomb was built. Why then are they selling batteries in the departure lounge right after security confiscates batteries. So we can buy them and take them as carry on. Probably the same batteries they just confiscated... only in Nepal!

Only in Nepal is right! I remember flying from Kathmandu to Lukla and going through the security check....women had to go into one booth enclosed by a curtain and men into another. The woman in the booth just asked me "any guns? bombs? knives?" I said "no" so she let me proceed..... :) Because if I had such things in my hand luggage I'd say "yes"??!!

[James]

Yes only in Nepal...I had to laugh at the prohibition against lighters and pen knifes while people were carrying trekking poles and ice axes on board the flight to Lukla.

[will wijngaard]

Just a late reply. I agree with Holy stRoller and charge your batteries using one of the iSun solar chargers. It really works - did the Annapurna circuit & Tilicho recently and was never without fully charged batteries.

Have fun, Will

[Linwood]

Last fall, although this didn't seem to be an issue from KTM to Lukla, when we were flying from Lukla back to KTM, in the booth where women were checked, first of all, there was a guy in there... lol... and also he made me get rid of my batteries. He looked at me and grinned and pointed at the batteries and said "Bomb... you know bomb?". I laughed and asked to go back upstairs to where the checked packs were. He let me go back upstairs Then, when I came back downstairs, they just waved me through without checking to see if I had gotten rid of my "bomb". LOL!!

Man, I miss Nepal. Can I be in the 12 step group?

[yakshaver]

Linwood, the 12 step group for Nepali addicts is only available in Bhaktapur, Namche, Ghandruk and Jharkot. At Gokyo and ABC too...

[Sharon]

What about Nar and Phu? Is the program there? What if I don't want to admit I am an addict?

[yakshaver]

Sharon

My name is yakshaver and I am a nepalo-holic.
I am just about to go to Naar and Phu in October or November this year to establish the 12 step program there. Anyone is welcome. Especially encourage your addicted friends to attend.

[Sharon]

Good, I am leaving Kathmandu pn the 17th of October for Nar and Phu. My question is- which way will give me more Nepal time? Admitting I am an addict and entering the 12 step program or denying the reality?

[Linwood]

That is a very good question, Sharon.

I recommend checking your health plan to see if you have coverage for addiction treatment. If it is covered, I suggest admitting to your problem and seeking treatment from a doc who will recommend in writing that you attend as many 12 step meeting as possible in a location of your choice. Hopefully your employer will be understanding. If not, apply for disability.

And Yakshaver... I can't believe there is no chapter in Kathmandu. You've heard of "gateway" drugs, no doubt. Surely there should be a chapter in the gateway to Nepal! I'd be happy to help start one... :cool:

[Sharon]

Very good points, I see you have given this addiction some thought. My office is bringing in physiotherapists for registered massage for stress. I am going to explore this link... The stress of going a year between trips is TOO much.
I jump up everyday to check my emails for a taste of the place from my friends there.....I'm waiting my fall itinerary so I can drool over that daily.