Tag Archives: 2019

Upper Mustang Valley – NEPAL

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2/5/2019 – 11/5/2019  Kagbeni – Chele – Syanboche (Shyangbochen) – Ghami (Ghemi) – Chrang (Tsarang) – Lo Manthang – Choser – Ghami (Ghemi) – Samar – Kagbeni

                                         Upper Mustang Valley, NEPAL

Distance: 177 km   Total Ascent: 10,050m   Total Descent: 10,050m   Time: 46 hours

Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki  (Guide), Saideh Kent, Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter),  Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart

Mustang, formerly the ancient Kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarised area until 1992 and is one of the most preserved regions of the world with a predominantly Tibetan culture. It’s status as a kingdom ceased in 2008. The influence of the outside world, especially China is leading to changes in the lives of these previously isolated inhabitants. 

The region is cool and semi-arid being in the Himalayan rain shadow. Tourists have been allowed in the region since 1992 but visits remain highly regulated. It is considered a rare privilege to trek in this region and to experience the way of life of the true mountain people.

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The Annapurna Circuit – NEPAL

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22/04/2019 – 1/05/2019   Jagat – Dharapani – Chame – Upper Pisang – Manang – Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi – Thorong La Pass – Muktinath – Kagbeni

                                             Annapurna Circuit, NEPAL

Distance: 172km   Total Ascent: 10,400m   Total Descent: 8,670m   Time: 68 hours

Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki  (Guide), Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter), Sonaiya Magear (Assistant Guide), Amanda “Mandy” Menheere, Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart, Kaitlin “Kitty” Travers

The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world’s best long distance treks. It is located within the mountain ranges of central Nepal and it encircles the Annapurna Massif. It offers a wide variety of climatic zones from tropical vegetation at 600m to the chilling alpine conditions of Thorong La pass at over 5,400m. There are cultural varieties from the Hindu villages at the lower elevations to the Tibetan culture of the Manang valley. 

We travelled with the assistance of guides and porters from Himalayan Encounters, a company based in Kathmandu. 

Expect stunning high altitude scenery, comfortable tea houses and delicious (mainly vegetarian) freshly cooked food.

Map of our planned trek from Jagat to Jomsom at Tilicho Hotel & Restaurant

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Santa Cruz Hike – Corderilla Blanca – PERU

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25/6/2019 – 28/6/2019    Vaqueria – Quebrada de Paria – Taulipampa – Llamacorral – Cashapampa

                                             Santa Cruz Hike, Corderilla Blanca, PERU

Distance: 82km   Total Ascent: 8,500m   Total Descent: 9,300m   Time: 25 hours

(Inaccurate distance & ascent/descents due to gps reception errors during day 3)

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide), Emilio Gloria Arevalo (cook) Javier valdivia Melo (donkey driver)

This is a popular walk in the Corderilla Blanca and can be organised through several trekking companies or walked independently. There are buses that travel to the trailhead. This is a stunning mountainous area of Peru yet it is in the tropics about 9 degrees south of the equator. 

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Laguna 69 – PERU

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Saturday 24/06/2019   Laguna 69

                                          Huascarán National Park, PERU

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)

This incredible day walk can be accessed from Huaraz by a four hour bus trip or three hours by private car. We chose the latter more expensive option along with a guide which was not really necessary. However, it enhanced our experience having a local give us information along the way. All the lakes in the Huascarán National Park are numbered and there are at least 300 of them. This is number 69. 

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Laguna Churup – PERU

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Sunday 23/06/2019   Laguna Churup

                                       Huascarán National Park, PERU

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)

Laguna Churup is a popular but relatively uncrowded walk which is reasonably close to Huraraz. It is not necessary to have a guide for this walk but a private car needs to be organised for drop off and pick up. National park entry fees of 30 soles (about $13) per person needs to be paid at the car park. The toilet costs 1 sole (about 40c). 

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Quilcayhuanca Valley – PERU

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Saturday 22/06/2019   Quilcayhuanca Valley

                                          Huascarán National Park, PERU

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

This walk was recommended as an initial acclimatisation walk after arriving in Huaraz at 3,092m as it reaches an altitude of just under 4,000m and is relatively flat. As there is no public transport available into the area we organised a private car to transport us each way from Huaraz. 

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Galapagos Islands

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2/07/2019 – 9/07/2019    Baltra – Santa Cruz – Floreana – Espanola – San Cristobal – Santa Fe – Sombrero Chino – Bartolome – James (Santiago) – Rabida – Seymour Island – Baltra

                                             Galapagos Islands,  ECUADOR

Participants: Alfredo Banguera (Chef), Cifredo Banguera (Bartender), Enrique Briones (Engineer), Jose Caicedo (Captain), Anavi Chitnis, Jay Chitnis, Maritza Chitnis, Chitnis, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Morris Garcia (Guide & Naturalist), Greg Kato, Jeremy Kato, Ryan Kato, Janet Lindsley, Melissa Mccarthy, Arnaldo Muñoz (First Mate), Roberto Pazmiño (Dingy Pilot), Charlie Vandel, Ellie Vandel, Stuart Vandel

The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many people, us included. These volcanic islands which are part of the Republic of Ecuador straddle the equator nearly 1,000km west of continental Ecuador. The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to these islands. The islands are estimated to be between 3 to 10 million years old.

Access is by air from Quito via Guayaquil. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin and which led him to formulate his theory of evolution through natural selection, published in 1859. 

The Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve are carefully managed by the Ecuadorian Government, visitor numbers are limited and a $US100 entry fee applies. The only islands that can be visited without a guide are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.

More than 25,000 people live on the islands. In 1959 the Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas of Galapagos a national park. In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos the first World Heritage site and the Galapagos Marine Reserve received the same status in 1998.

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Guthega Power Station – Horse Camp Hut – Schlink Hut –  Grey Mare Hut -Grey Mare Mountain – The Granites – Pretty Plain Hut – Grey Mare Bogong – Rocky Bogong Hill – Valentine Falls – Jagungal – Strawberry Hill – Mawsons Hut – Tin Hut – Gungartan Pass – Guthega Power Station

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23/08/2019 – 1/09/2019    Guthega Power Station – Horse Camp Hut – Schlink Hut –  Grey Mare Hut -Grey Mare Mountain – The Granites – Pretty Plain Hut – Grey Mare Bogong – Rocky Bogong Hill – Valentine Falls – Jagungal – Strawberry Hill – Mawsons Hut – Tin Hut – Gungartan Pass – Guthega Power Station

                                        Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                        Ngarigo country

Distance: 148km   Total Ascent: 6,510m   Total Descent: 6,510m   Time: 57 hour

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)

An overlapping commitment and repeatedly delayed start due to poor weather prevented me from joining fellow NSW Nordic Ski Club skiers at Grey Mare Hut from their starting date last Friday. Undeterred, I ended up completing a very enjoyable slow, meandering, ten day solo tour in ideal weather conditions. This was highlighted by exploratory day trips on the Grey Mare Range seeking out the best photographic vantage points, a close-to bush bash down to Pretty Plain Hut and multi-night star trail shooting opportunities.

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Guthega – Pounds Creek – Watsons Crags – Twynam West Ridge – Mount Anderson – Verandah Creek – Watsons Creek – Mount Anton – Tate East Ridge – Gills Knobs – Guthega Pondage – Mount Tate – Mann Bluff

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29/09/2019 – 4/10/2019    Guthega – Pounds Creek – Watsons Crags – Twynam West Ridge – Mount Anderson – Verandah Creek – Watsons Creek – Mount Anton – Tate East Ridge – Gills Knobs – Guthega Pondage – Mount Tate – Mann Bluff

                                               Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                              Ngarigo country

Distance: 55km   Total Ascent: 3,880m   Total Descent: 3,900m   

Time: 26 hours                                               Track Info

Participants: Damien Aggio (Leader), Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Paul Davis, Murray Gibbs

Originally I had planned to arrive at the Pounds Creek campsite Damien had organised before anyone else, as I was going to connect my Charlotte Pass trip with his and avoid a trip home. I had 11 days of food and the rest of my gear packed and ready to go. However, my Mount Townsend day had consequences in the form of blisters on both heals from being clueless on how to adjust my new boots, I also ended up with a throat infection and lower back problem from consecutive long days. My better half also had suffered a bad cold for the last two weeks and had broken her fifth metacarpal (hand) so it was certainly best I drove home. Once everything settled enough I was heading back much later than first planned to connect with Damien’s now also finished trip. As it turned out I was still somewhat before par and had a low activity trip.

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Charlotte Pass – Little Austria – Lake Albina – Abbott Ridge – Mount Townsend – Mount Northcote – Mount Clarke

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Thursday 19/09/2019      Charlotte Pass – Little Austria – Lake Albina – Abbott Ridge – Mount Townsend – Mount Northcote – Mount Clarke

                                              Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                              Ngarigo country

Participants: Helen Cromb, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Trish Elmore, Kenn Clacher (Leader), Ian Houghton, Ken Moylan, Gordon Newell, Stephen Poole, Bill

Opting for company today I joined up with Kenn’s group who were aiming for Little Austria. With snow bridges still strongly present we were quickly across the Snowy River and climbing towards the pass between Mount Lee and Carruthers Peak. The short steep ascent up and over the lip of the ridge proved challenging to those with lighter boots and skis.

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Charlotte Pass – Carruthers Peak

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Wednesday 18/09/2019      Charlotte Pass – Carruthers Peak

                                                  Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                                  Ngarigo country

Participant: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)

After limiting weather the last two days we awoke to calm conditions and a clear blue sky. The mixed bag of destinations on offer included Watsons Crags, Mount Kosciuszko and Lake Albina. Planning to do more skiing next week in those areas I opted out, aiming instead to ski in the area of Mount Lee.

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Charlotte Pass – Seamans Hut

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Tuesday 17/09/2019   Charlotte Pass – Seamans Hut

                                         Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                        Ngarigo country

Participants:  Angela Barton, Helen Cromb, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Tim Hager (Leader), Kathy Husselbee, Ken Moylan, Gordon Newell, Jean

After sitting out a day of wind and rain yesterday we were pleased to see a dusting of fresh snow this morning. Tim suggested a day trip to Lake Albina which attracted a group of nine. We headed out under a low cloud cover shortly after 9:00am.

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