Stoking the fire on a dull morning

I am not sure when I am going to start logging the detailed itenary. Some memories do stand out, from the trek especially.

There was a group from NewZealand around 6-7 of them. They must be all around 60s or well past them!. Doing the same thing that we were doing, They will get up very early and always walk in a group. Around midday when I used to cross them, they will be still keeping up their steady pace. On the third day we came across the first of the river crossings , the water was not so deep around knee deep but the current was pretty strong, they crossed it without any fuss. Three of them will hold a walking stick and cross together, walking at an angle in the direction of the flow. They made it look so easy. After that we didn't see them the following day, we were trying to finish the trek a day earlier than the regular schedule. I will always remember them, things like this inspire you. When I grow old, If I grow old :), this incident is like, if they can, whats preventing me !.

On the 5th day came across this guy from Israel, He was trekking with his family, his daughter and wife. He is a guide by profession, was carrying all the detailed maps and doing it all alone, without the horses, guides etc.Another thing which he had was an altimeter and at that moment, it read 4730ms. Dont know if I will be able to do it, but I can imagine the bonding that this would create.

Its not even 10 days and I am dreaming of Nepal, possibly cause there is nothing much feeding my dream factory. Some homework that needs to be done.

1. Read up as much as possible on Maps, reading them, getting your orientation. Out there its very very important that you are on the right track.
2. Buy water proof gloves.
3. A good Swiss army knife.
4. A watch, which is totally water proof, has back light, altimeter.
5. Very good trekking shoes, need to research a lot on this.
6. Good quality sleeping bag, need research on this aswell.
7. Good quality walking poles, with compass.
8. More FITNESS, more cycling, gym and right food.
9. Knowledge of basic antidotes.
10. A waist pouch , for maps, ipod and other necessary stuff.
11. A Headlamp.


Lets see how it goes.