tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.comments2024-03-18T13:35:56.223+05:30Mr. Smith Goes to KathmanduBrian Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-8416193932623528102016-10-18T21:32:12.602+05:302016-10-18T21:32:12.602+05:30Very nice write-up indeed. I did this trek a coupl...Very nice write-up indeed. I did this trek a couple of weeks back and wanted to see how others see of it compared to how I did. This is a superb narration! Many thanks.socratikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508040874552104230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-23949048240752874442016-06-13T16:20:20.090+05:302016-06-13T16:20:20.090+05:30Thanks Jack, glad you found some of the informatio...Thanks Jack, glad you found some of the information worth while. As far as experience with children, I really can't say and don't have much; I suspect it depends a lot on the age and temperament of the children. In general it will be moist and things won't dry, so as long as you think they can cope with this and the chance that they get poured on they should be fine. <br /><br />Also I should note that lots of things have changed in Nepal since I wrote this. Infrastructure has deteriorated over the last few years as Nepal slowly becomes something resembling a failed state. The earthquake, Indian embargo and a lack of any kind functioning government means infrastructure is even worse than it has been in the past. Trails have opened back up, but many regions are still rebuilding from the earthquake. Major tourist trails are open. For that time of year, and given the current conditions I would probably recommend the Annapurna region, but be warned that outside of the rain shadow that region gets lots and lots of rain that time of year. Anyway hope some of that helps.Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-89807038136852395832016-06-12T14:34:41.087+05:302016-06-12T14:34:41.087+05:30Hello Brian,
Thanks so much for this fantastic bl...Hello Brian,<br /><br />Thanks so much for this fantastic blog. I came via a search for "leeches during monsoon", but found so much more.<br /><br />I am planning a trip to Nepal this August with my two children. Based on your experience, do you think they would be able to cope with the climate? Would you have any recommendations for families trekking during the monsoon time?<br /><br />I lived in India for two years and witnessed the monsoon time first hand. I loved the season and also think that the warnings against travel during the monsoon are partly exaggerated. But I have never travelled with children and am trying to find as much information as I can.<br /><br />Many thanks,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-27885202614317870042016-04-18T15:49:37.772+05:302016-04-18T15:49:37.772+05:30Hey Nikki,
I honestly can't say as I haven&#...Hey Nikki,<br /> I honestly can't say as I haven't been in Nepal since I went back to help out with earthquake relief, which was last April/May. What I do know is that the Langtang valley saw more destruction than most places as a huge ice shelf fell over a mile and completely destroyed the entire village of Langtang (killing everyone there as well). I also know Nepal has been suffering under an Indian imposed trade embargo that has severely limited important supplies like cooking fuel and petrol. While Langtang may be open for trekking I have no idea if they have managed to rebuild the trail. The upper section was damaged quite severely. In the past it wasn't tough to find lodging in the off season as long as you stopped at the major villages. With Langtang gone and damage up and down the trail I'm not even sure what is left. I would highly recommend chatting with someone who has been there in the last few months and doesn't have any interest in selling you something. People in Nepal have been overly enthusiastic about what tourism they can actually support in the hope of getting incoming tourist dollars at the expense of an accurate portrayal of the current infrastructure. The Everest region and Annapurna had significantly less damage and I've had friends who have been in both regions without any difficulty recently. Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-62804897122785904182016-04-15T05:02:13.982+05:302016-04-15T05:02:13.982+05:30Hey Brian,
I'm hoping to trek Langtang in July...Hey Brian,<br />I'm hoping to trek Langtang in July, just unsure about the rain and if the tea houses will be open?<br />Also it's hard to find info about the trek since the earthquake, do you have any idea on what it's like?<br />Thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-74869677837080179832014-10-10T07:40:07.004+05:302014-10-10T07:40:07.004+05:30I wasn't smoking anything. You'll notice t...I wasn't smoking anything. You'll notice that this post was written in 2010. The location in question has since changed hands at least twice that I know of and is now run by young Nepalis and not foreigners. Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-33544340964628507372014-09-15T22:49:53.631+05:302014-09-15T22:49:53.631+05:30 not sure what your smoking but the food was horri... not sure what your smoking but the food was horrible as well as the band plays same 20 songs everynight butchering them lead vocal sounds like a dying dog canuktravellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266226691587905818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-53334310147351268292014-06-09T02:55:42.199+05:302014-06-09T02:55:42.199+05:30Thank you so much for this, I have researched ever...Thank you so much for this, I have researched everything from lonely planet to every website I could find looking for information about hiking to ebc in August. I love the rain, love the solitude even more. As a teacher the only time I can go is August, and it is a huge financial investment. Everything you have said has really put my mind at ease. If you have any links or further suggestions please let me know. Thank you so much . dlaychuk@prn.bc.caAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-52907669188666110362014-05-07T09:35:13.944+05:302014-05-07T09:35:13.944+05:30How about the weather there around july, im thinki...How about the weather there around july, im thinking to stop a week in kathmandu. Can you give me advice which interesting place around the city or not to far from there..? and its posible to see himalata peak from the distance..?<br /><br />Mareta Kusumaningrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12849842583202373163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-14004788969506245572014-04-12T02:53:02.777+05:302014-04-12T02:53:02.777+05:30Thanks so much for your reply. We go in One week! ...Thanks so much for your reply. We go in One week! Will mosquitoes be a big problem on the Lantang trek at this time of year in your opinion? Is a mosquito net/repellent unnecessary <br /><br />Thanks againBoomshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17601696984221217832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-15314653388228325042014-03-27T08:56:02.985+05:302014-03-27T08:56:02.985+05:30Hello.. I plan to do EBC and Kala Patthar, from JI...Hello.. I plan to do EBC and Kala Patthar, from JIRI and back.. plan to start from Jiri on 6th May 2014..a solo trek..Your advise please.. :)rajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05178240453669216964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-16592975227256083512014-03-24T11:58:26.800+05:302014-03-24T11:58:26.800+05:30Thank you so much for loving Nepal Brian,
Thank you so much for loving Nepal Brian,<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04275339767755291574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-66114985209603726602014-02-17T16:00:42.337+05:302014-02-17T16:00:42.337+05:30I love the farmer's market coz we can get thes...I love the farmer's market coz we can get these lovely organic product.....to eat fresh n healthy..<br />junitatandukarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14392587065856483728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-21180830519644133642014-01-12T12:06:29.673+05:302014-01-12T12:06:29.673+05:30I'm glad to read you again. Thanks for this po...I'm glad to read you again. Thanks for this post.<br />Best for you Buddy! I love it<br />Mandy Indonesiahttp://www.7liveasia.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-57307036920413031172014-01-10T12:38:41.973+05:302014-01-10T12:38:41.973+05:30Hi, I really like your article. I will keep coming...Hi, I really like your article. I will keep coming here, ThanksMandy Indonesiahttp://www.7liveasia.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-2678311878264933652013-12-27T20:50:57.120+05:302013-12-27T20:50:57.120+05:30Great, thanks, Osprey it is!Great, thanks, Osprey it is!Boomshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17601696984221217832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-67596139988464679102013-12-27T20:48:55.610+05:302013-12-27T20:48:55.610+05:30Thanks brian!Thanks brian!Boomshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17601696984221217832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-71534734487375599242013-12-23T13:17:01.964+05:302013-12-23T13:17:01.964+05:30Thanks for writing your experience it's so ple...Thanks for writing your experience it's so pleasurable to have you guys sharing your precious words on my Kathmandu, Nepal.<br />Thanks a lot,<br />Milan. gmgrandsons.blogspot.comMilan Maharjanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05513194158501145761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-49051436849668808722013-12-16T13:55:35.184+05:302013-12-16T13:55:35.184+05:30Any correspondence can be sent to arkanatum@hotma...Any correspondence can be sent to arkanatum@hotmail.com<br /><br />I'd be happy to answer any questions.Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-77588952715046955602013-12-16T13:45:48.156+05:302013-12-16T13:45:48.156+05:30Hi Brian, you've a funny, insightful and infor...Hi Brian, you've a funny, insightful and informative blog here! I'm planning a move to Kathmandu and would love if you could help me out with a few questions? Where could I mail you to correspond further? Thanks :)A Henhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07438559499686667625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-73776760024158222222013-11-18T16:33:24.749+05:302013-11-18T16:33:24.749+05:30Hey Raul,
I have to look and see if I can fin...Hey Raul, <br /> I have to look and see if I can find the old GPS file, it's from 2010- I'm sure I have it somewhere. I no longer use the earlier e-mail address listed above in the comments, so please contact me at brian@briansgrillhouse.com and I'll do my best to get you the file.Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-69051041448691591442013-11-18T11:14:46.471+05:302013-11-18T11:14:46.471+05:30Hello! I'm going to nepal next week. Can you s...Hello! I'm going to nepal next week. Can you sent the gps file to me? I sent a email. Thank you.Raul Mallorcahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08705284960018434611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-36943502347933370392013-11-16T08:15:35.052+05:302013-11-16T08:15:35.052+05:30@Jamie. The investment part is your injection of f...@Jamie. The investment part is your injection of foreign capital that is used to purchase your share of a private company in Nepal. I invested money in my restaurant which met the minimum guideline at the time. Please be aware that the government here has decided that even more investment is needed now in order to get a visa and minimum foreign investment is now 50K US$, and the word I'm hearing is that it will soon be raised to 100K US$, which is essentially just a way of saying we don't want foreign investors in my opinion. Of course plenty of people will continue to get visas through illegal means, but legal options are dwindling. Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-88250028800843193612013-11-16T08:09:00.125+05:302013-11-16T08:09:00.125+05:30Hey Conor, I have done all my trips with a 35 lite...Hey Conor, I have done all my trips with a 35 liter Osprey pack and usually have plenty of extra space, so you are not being optimistic at all if you stick to something close to what I have described here. Langtang is beautiful in April, best of luck!Brian Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550716842149752526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704658911492867741.post-30697842132492161722013-11-16T02:43:01.523+05:302013-11-16T02:43:01.523+05:30Hi, thanks for your packing list, very useful. Im ...Hi, thanks for your packing list, very useful. Im doing the langtang trek in april. What size backpack did you use. Am I being optimistic trying to manage with a 33 litre pack for the kind of amount your packing list has on. Thanks. Conor, DublinBoomshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17601696984221217832noreply@blogger.com