UL camping treks in Nepal

Hi Greg,

Sounds like very nice plans there. I would like to go to Mustang region for a trail race there, but it's not happening anytime soon.
About the gear, all I can say is I know Locus Gear made a custom Khufu for some people that went UL to Everest base camp. At the time I asked what was customised he said just some added loops around the perimeter for more stakes at ground level. You could see if your eventual choice of shelter might benefit from that too.

As an aside, I have seen some images of a dome tent prototype by Locus Gear. You could contact him if it is worth it over a shelter like the Khufu (and by analogy perhaps to the Solomid XL) and see what weight it is and if he would sell one already if it is worth it to you.

Good luck with the pre-fun.

Thanks! Btw, I notice your locale is Japan – do you have any good week-long trips to recommend there? I haven't started doing my homework yet, but I have about a week at the end of September and I was thinking going to Japan for some "pre-fun", as you put it. Maybe a traverse of Daisetsuzan?

Greg,

I have not spent a lot of time in Nepal, but have spent significant time in North India. If you want an alternative place to go and trek/camp/explore, India is much less crowded in the trekking scene. Nepal is a great place where you are likely to meet people from many countries trekking and where there is a much more established trekking scene.

India, from what people say who have spent time in both places, is several years behind in the developing a trekking scene for foreign tourists. What that means is that you get a bit more taste of the grittiness of life in rural Himalayan villages.

So, in my opinion, Nepal offers a logistically simpler trekking destination and North India offers a bit more chaos and unknowns.

If you want to come to India, give me a holler via PM.

Peace

Slightly off topic: I've looked into the GHT a couple of years ago: a lot of parts require a ((very) expensive) permit (more info: http://thegreathimalayatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Tims-and-Permits-overview.pdf). And to get a permit, you'll need at least a Nepali guide. In some areas knowledge of English, and sometimes even Nepali, is non-existent or very poor.
Also bear in mind that some sections require crampons, ice axe and rope.

My advice: look into Ladakh (Northern India: virtually no permits (or easy to get), good knowledge of English, even in the smaller villages and fairly well documented (guidebooks from Trailblazer and – more recently – Cicerone. Topomaps – although 1/150000 – sold by the Swiss publisher Olizane). Last but not least: ideal season = summer (read: warm & dry – even tarps are ok), whilst in Nepal this is for a lot of areas spring or autumn (read: colder).

Wim

Thanks to both of you for the India suggestion. I've thought of it, but I'm not ready to give up on the Nepal idea yet. It's just an itch I need to scratch…

I'm aware of all the permit difficulties (and costs), and for the technical sections I'm definitely planning to take a guide. They seem about similar in difficulty to the popular trekking peaks.

Time for me to gear up and get some more practice then…

Greg,

Although I'm a Tarptent Fanboy through-and-through for a very light weight and safe shelter I recommend the Six Moon Designs Skyscape X (Cuben fabric) solo tent. It is the lightest one person TRUE tent – i.e. sewn-in floor – that I know of. A bit pricey because of the Cuben fabric but at 12,000 – 14,000 ft. its light weight is a blessing. A few of the smaller MSR Ground Hog stakes, 2 trekking poles for support and you're set up for a strong shelter.

The Skyscape X is a "hybrid" single/double wall tent. with a well tested design.

Greg wrote: "Thanks! Btw, I notice your locale is Japan – do you have any good week-long trips to recommend there? I haven't started doing my homework yet, but I have about a week at the end of September and I was thinking going to Japan for some "pre-fun", as you put it. Maybe a traverse of Daisetsuzan?"

No experience with Daisetsusan myself but from what I have read before it should be doable as well as a lot of other nice trips in the Northern Japanese Alps. End of September you might have to deal with a totally different level (of snow) though. A lot depends on your fitness level in season, but in winter if breaking trail expect your pace to be cut down in half or a third. Weather is unpredictable of course but if you want to take on some of the nicer trails and get some altitude I would try a bit more into the season, or just after it. So end of August, first week of September.

If you are on Facebook you could ask in a group called Hiking in Japan.