ken4ord

Hey Jason, Yeah I carried everything myself, had enough to do roughy 2-3 day overnights in the open and the weight down to 15-20 lbs. That includes food, water, tools, bag, first aid, emergency beacon (request on my wife's behalf), etc. Realistically you could go a lot lighter, but I had a permit to go up into Naar and Phu Khola, which was going to be 2 nights in the open, but when I got to the canyon the weather was bad, with clouds down to about 3500m and snow to 3000m and that route required a 5500m remote pass, so I opted out on that section to do some other stuff. Throng La was a carry all the way up, except for three tiny bits. Just lift the bike and carry, it's not that hard. Put some padding on the forehead and hook the seat and have the top tube rest across my shoulders. Probably the toughest riding for sure was either Poon Hill, tonnes of root drops and stair cases, I was able to find a rideable route all the way up. Also my first day was one of the toughest, since I carried from 7am until 2:30pm out of Besishar to gain the ridge you are facing as you cross the river. I thought I spied a good trail cutting across the slope , but it turned out to be a cattle track that was hell. That was a 14 hour day. Yeah they almost got a road almost all the way through, but I stayed off it for the most part, as do most of the hikers. It is still tough by bike from what I was told that people normally only cycle about 60-70%, on the normal track. I ended up cycling about 80% even with the extra climbs I did and Poon Hill. The next trip I got horses hired for the whole trip since there will be 4-5000m+ passes and it is camping the whole way, no tea houses.

After 1:03 I got off the bike to walk some BIG rock steps, if I went into them straight on I probably would have given it a go. On the bridge I was there for several minutes discussing with a guide, he was saying the bridge was broken. I bounce tested a few times then decided to go the route everyone else was going. At the bottom of the gorge, I just put the bike on the shoulders and huffed it out. Top of Throng La to Mukinath was a 45 min run. Basically I waited for the sun to come up at Throng Phedi 8am while all the Trekkers left at 3am, I still managed to beat most of them down to Mukinath and was well into my 4th or 5th beer by the time some of the later trekker were arriving. It was a great trip. I managed the whole circuit in 10 casual days including going up to Poon Hill and climbing up an extra three passes for some extra descending.

Who wants to mountain biking in Nepal for a few weeks. If you are interested drop me a line at ken4ord at yahoo dot com or PM me. I am planning a intense trip late April/early May. Here is video from this years trip, descending off Throng La: Another farther down the slope on the way to Mukinath:

Well I guess I am not expecting much with this post, look like this section has gone unused for a while. Anyways I will be back in Seattle, but actually staying at Lake Chelan during the last week of July (23-30). I just checking if anyone wants to get the kids together for a day of climbing. I want to get my daughter out and possibly two of her cousins. If anyone is interested please let me know. Cheers, Ken

I might have to come out and check since I am somewhat nearby. Flight schedule is still sort of hectic, two stops minimum from Dhaka. The more pictures you put up the more I am thinking about it.

Awesome TR! I really love that shot looking up at the Great Roof, never seen a picture of it at that angle.

I was just rocking to some classic Dio the other night in bar in Seoul at 2:30am getting some eats. I was amazed that i could remember all the lyrics even though I haven't heard it since the late 80s.

Shit I don't want to hear about it. Hell my definite next climbing trip is in November in Thailand. That is way to far away. Maybe I can get a day cragging with a few of you fools when I am out in July and August.

If you think you would have fun doing it and can afford to do, even if you can't afford it, just do it. I haven't taken a complete year, I have taken 6 months at a time and it was great and I will do it again in a heartbeat. One thing you can do is talk to your employer about taking a leave of absence, if you like your job. I have been surprised at times what I have been able to get by just asking.

.... and off on a mini adventure, its not climbing, but it should be interesting. The weekend goes like this, go to work with bike and rucksack (weighted with 3 bottles of red wine and the 10 essentials), leave work and brave the traffic through downtown Dhaka, through the narrow alleys of Old Dhaka to the Buriganga River, meet up with some friends and good number of people I don't know for a trip on an overnight boat down south. Overnight hopefully consume 3 bottles of red that I don't want to carry cycling from Borishal to Bagarhat (130km) over the next two days. No sleeping arrangements, just plan on tenting it some place along the way, but I don't have a tent, actually all I need is some place to lay my mat, probably won't use a tent nor bag. Cycling along the way maybe I will find some stuff that I can play on, especially since I am pedaling the beast (the Bullit), but who knows it going to be a scorcher (100F) I might just want to get the ride over with. We'll see. From Bagarhat, (I am sure I got this name completely botched, anyways) it is an overnight bus back to Dhaka to possibly arrive in time for work. I'll know on Sunday. Won't get to see the wife and kids all weekend. What's your weekend looking like?

Thanks Zoran. Regardless if he was a douche or not, or one of the greatest climbers of the world, I found the movie very cool and inspiring. I loved the fact he lived by his own terms not anybody elses. It was also interesting to see some of the things he has been up to. He is a very interesting for sure.

No shit agree, that sux.

What are you talking about? In general most gyms I have been to play decent music and not rock & roll. When I am at the gym (lately that is the only climbing I am getting), I listen to DJ mixes, podcasts, new hip hop and electronica. It all my music on my docking station at the American school. When I am really climbing I just like to listen. No music.

That is funny.

Yeah still traveling and still wanting to get back to the PNW, but it not going anywhere, hopefully. I heard about Wan Ju and saw some pictures, it looks great, but like you said I don't think I have the time for that. It seems like there are few public walls in town and some bouldering, that is probably what I will have time for.

Anyone been too Seoul or have any good links? I am going there in a month for a week long family trip. Won't have much time for climbing, but if there is some nearby bouldering, that would be fun. Got any suggestion for good places for brew (coffee or beer) or good eats, let's hear them.

That looks great, 2 weeks hell yeah enjoy!

Nice man, looks like a fun one.

I really couldn't believe how bad that music was until I listened. It really was distraction to the cool images and video. What the deal on the top, looked like one of the guys was way off in space hanging off the side the mushroom cap?

Damn you guys I can't believe I hadn't seen this before. Freaking incredible line.

Are you crazy, I am fine with a most of the snowboards being into the park scene it means the backcountry will stay free and less tracked out. BTW I am not a hater, I am a snowboarder when I am around snow, not much around these parts. Why are you guys skiing on your Splits? I hate my boatd on rolling terrain. On the flats and skinning, I think it works just as good as my tele ski did.

I think it may be cool enough when I am there 60's. Thanks ECB, I read about Piddington, sounds like one of the larger areas/crags.

My vote everytime. Go to Sydney, head up to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains, and enjoy. Perfect, but then I'm a standstone guy... Ha, that is where I am headed got any suggestions? As for the original question if not Australia, then I'd say South Africa. I been a on a couple short trips, but I can't wait to get back for an extended stay.

I am going to be heading to Sydney and also the Blue Mountains in the Katoomba area. Near the Three Sisters. :tup: Anyone been? Got any suggestions? Looking mainly for easy cragging with the family. Hikes. Or just some stories. I can't wait to go.

No shit, instead of winter dreams I have warmer climate on my radar. First heading to the Blue Mountains in Australia for a week. Next I hope to make a couple quick trips accross the border to India and explore some walls that are up to 700m, we'll see if I can get my fat and out of shape up some climbs.