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Lonely Planet Nepal Rough Guide Nepal Trekking and Climbing in NepalLonely Planet - Trekking in NepalOn Foot around the AnnapurnasTrekking in the Annapurna RegionThe Trekking Peaks of Nepal Annapurna: First Conquest of an 8000m Peak


"Such Heavenly Pursuits"


Escaping to the freedom and challenges of the mountains from the constraints of the city has always been important to me. I have an urge to see over the next ridgetop or around the corner into the next valley. Attaining a summit, crossing a pass, or completing a journey always provides a measure of achievement.

My first forays were with the 24th Glasgow ( Bearsden ) Scouts ( whose illustrious leader Alec J. Spalding has recently been awarded an MBE ) and then extended, in all weathers and all seasons, to the far corners of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland, with the aid of bicycles, canoes and skis to climb all the Munros.

Ladhar Bheinn from Barrisdale Bay, Scottish Highlands

Scotland

Alpine ascents also started with the 24th during their regular visits to Kandersteg in Switzerland and continued with the climbing of 30 snow peaks over 3000metres ( 15 over 4000m ) including the Eiger and Mont Blanc in Europe, Toubkal in the High Atlas and Elbert in in the Colorado Rockies.

On Toubkal in the High Atlas

High Atlas

Accounts of travels and ascents in the Himalaya have always been fascinating but it was only after dispensing with my post as senior lecturer in computer studies at Bell College of Technology in Hamilton that my first visit to Nepal became possible. Although I returned home in a sorry state with a fractured vertebra ( from a fall while washing my hair in a waterfall ) I was totally enthralled by my experiences in trekking around the Annapurna Himal and have returned every autumn for 12 years to Nepal.

Mt.Macchapucchre, The Fishtail Mountain, from Rakshi Peak above the Annapurna Sanctuary

Nepal Himalaya

In travelling and climbing around the world in five continents I have found nowhere else that rivals the attractions of the Nepal Himalaya. It is not only the awesome beauty of the highest mountains of the world, or the picturesque landscapes of the middle-hills but also the charm, tolerance and fortitude of the peoples of the high valleys: the Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Limbus, Rais, Magars et al.

Nima Lakpa Sherpa and the Gurja Himal, Dhaulagiri Region

Nepal Himalaya

Also important is the competence and reliability of the trekking crews - the organisational skills of the sirdars, the excellence of the cooks ( who can prepare a four course dinner in the middle of a glacier or at high camps at 20,000ft. ) the care and attention of the hard-working sherpas ( assistant sirdars ) and the stalwart porters - without them none of my treks would have been possible or so enjoyable.

Everest from high camp on Mera Peak, Nima Lakpa Sherpa

Nepal Himalaya

Most of my treks have been organised by the Highland Sherpa Agency in Kathmandu and it was through the managing director Ang Zangbu Sherpa that I was introduced to my friend Horst from Germany whose ambitions and enthusiasm ensured the success of our climbing treks to the Rolwaling and Hongu valleys.

I did not set out to trek the length of the Nepal Himalaya from Kangchenjunga to Dhaulagiri but having started I continued because there was, and still is, more that I wanted to see - their immensity is matched by their diversity. My kitbag and trekking gear remain with Highland Sherpa in Kathmandu awaiting my return.

( Introduction to “ Such Heavenly Pursuits “, The Glasgow Herald, 17th August 1996 )







Nepal Climbs & Treks : Nepal Peaks : International Mountaineering


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Nepal Guide Books & Maps:-



Nepal - Rough GuideLonely Planet Nepal

Trekking in the Annapurna Region Nepal Mountaineering Guide Trekking in the Everest RegionEverest: A Trekkers Guide Trekking in the Everest RegionTrekking in the Annapurna RegionTrekking in the Langtang & Helambu RegionKangchenjunga Trekkers GuideTrekking in Nepal - D'Abbundo

Rough Guide Nepal Lonely Planet - Kathmandu Map Kathmandu Valley Map Trekking and Climbing in NepalLonely Planet - Trekking in NepalThe Trekking Peaks of Nepal Trekking in NepalTrekking in the Everest Region

Rough Guide India Footprint Tibet Handbook Into Thin Air - John Pilkington Sepu Kangri Bonnington Alpine / Himalayan Climbing Into Thin Air - the Everest Disaster Climbing High - the Everest DisasterOn Top of the World - climbing the 14 highest mountains Nepal Mountaineering Guide

On Top of the World - Rebecca Stephens Seven Summits - Quest to reach the highest peaks Seven Summits Eric Shipton - Everest and beyond Edmund Hillary - View from the SummitKurt Diemberger OmnibusChris Bonington's Everest My Vertical World - Climbing the 8000m Peaks - Jerzy Kukuczka

History of Mountain Climbing Everest: The West Ridge Return to Everest - DVD Return to Everest - Video Lost on Everest - Video Conquest of Everest Everest: A Trekkers Guide The Climb - Anatoli BoukreevThe Naked Mountain - Reinhold Messner

Mountains of the Mind - A history.. Mountains of the Mind - ExperiencesEverest: Summit of AchievementEverest: 50th Anniversary VolumeEverest: Alone at the SummitThe Villain: Life of Don WhillansLeft for Dead: Journey Home from EverestTrekking in the Everest Region

Tilman: The 7 Mountain Travel Books Mountaineering: Freedom of the HillsRope Techniques: The complete guideHistory of Mountain ClimbingBelow another Sky by Rick RidgewayFacing Up; A journey to the summit of EverestEverest: To the Top Coronation Everest

Epic Stories of Survival on the World's Highest Peaks The Snow Leopard Himalayan Quest - the 8000m Giants Trekking in the Indian Himalaya Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya Nepal Trail Map - Nelles

World Mountaineering Climbing the World's 14 Highest Mountains Climb: Stories of SurvivalSherpas & Himalayan Mountaineering K2Cho Oyu










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