Mustang & Lo Manthang Trek with South Col

April 16th to May 1st 2015

This trek covers one of the last Shangri-la’s in the Himalaya. A lost kingdom bordering Tibet which has a regulated entry of not more than three thousand visitors per year with magnificent monasteries, frescoes, palaces and a way of life which would soon vanish forever.Sculpted canyons and fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, ruined fortresses, royal palaces, unexplored Neolithic cave complexes, Tibetan Buddhist gompas and snow-peaks characterize this spectacular region, a thumb sticking up into the Tibetan plateau.Upper Mustang and its walled capital, Lo Manthang, is a remote and starkly beautiful region, home to Buddhism as well as the remnants of the older, mystical Bon religion   For  more details  and cost please email sujoyrdas@gmail.com. 

Peakfinder Earth App

Very often on our treks we stand at the top of a ridge or a view point wanting to know the names of the peaks.
We know the names of the "big ones" and for the others we ask our fellow trekkers, guides etc. who may or may not know the answer.

But in this world of technology and automation there is an answer!

The Peakfinder app for smart phones and tablets both for Apple and Android.

The App has details of more than 2,50,000 mountain peaks and can give you a reading of the peaks once it's knows the location or co-ordinates.

Here is the App at work on Poon Hill looking towards Dhaulagiri in thr Nepal Himalayas:

The details of the app can be found on the web site www.peakfinder.org.

From the web site I reproduce the details below:

The mountains are calling! Explore more mountains than any mountaineer! PeakFinder Earth makes it possible... and shows the names of all mountains and peaks with a 360° panorama display.
This functions completely offline – and worldwide!

PeakFinder knows more than 250’000 peaks - from Mount Everest to the little hill around the corner.

Features

• Works offline and worldwide
• Includes more than 250'000 peak names
• Fast rendering of the surrounding landscapes in a range of 300km/200mil
• Digital binoculars to select less prominent peaks
• 'Show me'-function for visible peaks
• Uses GPS to get your current location
• Maps (online) for viewpoint selection
• Dialog for entering coordinates manually
• Uses compass and accelerometer sensors
• Weekly updates of the peak directory
• Supports iOS devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad), Android devices (HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, ...) and Nokia devices (Symbian^3)

So the next time you go on a hike or a trek don't forget to load up the app on your smartphone! It can prove to be mighty helpful!

New Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR

One of the most exciting releases from Nikon in the new year is the 300 F4 PF ED VR lens. The earlier 300 F4 AFS lens was a favourite with many wildlife photographers paired with the TC 1.4 converter. The new lens offers a lot more!

On the left is the new lens and on the right is the old lens!

At around 755 grams it is a really lightweight lens and around half the weight of its predecessor! It is about the same size as the Nikon 700-300 VR zoom! That itself is a path breaking achievement!


To quote Nikon below:

Introducing a thrilling new 300mm f/4 prime lens capable of changing the way pro and serious enthusiasts shoot. At just 147.5mm long and 755g—over 30% shorter and 1.5lbs lighter than its predecessor—the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is the world's lightest 300mm full-frame AF lens. (As of January 5, 2015. Statement based on Nikon research.) The secret to its remarkable size? 
A Nikon-designed Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element, a first for the NIKKOR DSLR lens lineup. But handling isn't the only advantage; the PF element also performs brilliantly—achieve new levels of sharpness and clarity with virtually no chromatic aberration or ghosting. Whether you shoot fashion, portraits, nature, wildlife, sports, action or today's big stories, the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR will help you capture stunning views of the decisive moment.

The list price of this lens is $1999/-

For more information on this new lens do visit
https://photographylife.com/nikon-300mm-f4e-pf-ed-vr-announcement

When Does Trekking becomes Mountaineering

Mark Horrell, climber, writer and photographer has written an excellent post on his blog about trekking and mountaineering and the fine line between the two. Do visit Mark's blog for more articles and photos on the mountains.
http://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2011/when-does-trekking-become-mountaineering/ 

The trail between Dingboche and Dugla in the Everest region

Happy New Year 2015

Wishing all my friends, family, fellow trekkers, fellow bloggers and photographers a very Happy New Year 2015! 

And here is the exciting schedule of treks for the New Year!

Mustang & Lo Manthang April 16th to May 1st 2015

This trek covers one of the last Shangri-la’s in the Himalaya. A lost kingdom bordering Tibet which has a regulated entry of not more than three thousand visitors per year with magnificent monasteries, frescoes, palaces and a way of life which would soon vanish forever.Sculpted canyons and fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, ruined fortresses, royal palaces, unexplored Neolithic cave complexes, Tibetan Buddhist gompas and snow-peaks characterize this spectacular region, a thumb sticking up into the Tibetan plateau. Upper Mustang and its walled capital, Lo Manthang, is a remote and starkly beautiful region, home to Buddhism as well as the remnants of the older, mystical Bon religion

http://www.southcol.com/Treks-Nepal/the-mustang-trek

Around Manaslu May 9th to 24th 2015

The circuit of  Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world, is what the Annapurna circuit was thirty years ago! Few trekkers, traditional villages, outstanding views, mountain culture, a high pass to cross and a final finish along the old Annapurna circuit approach! Do the trek now before it becomes too crowded and commercialized.

http://www.southcol.com/Treks-Nepal/around-manaslu-may-2015-1

The Indus to the Nubra Valley in Ladakh September 1st to September 10th 2015 Delhi to Delhi

This trek crosses the Lasirmo La pass from Phyang to Hundar in one of the most unspoilt regions of Ladakh . For more details, route and cost do e-mail me.

Everest, Gokyo, the Cho La and Rhenjo Pass November 8th to 24th November 2015

This iconic trek covers both the Khumbu valley of Everest including Kala Pattar, the Everest Base camp across the Cho la to the emerald lakes of Gokyo. Then across the scenic Rhenjo La and down to Namche via Thami - a perfect circuit of the Everest region.

http://www.southcol.com/Treks-Nepal/the-everest-trek-to-kala-pattar 

The Annapurna Foothills December 26th 2015 to Jan 3 2016 (on request)

Hope to see some of you on these routes in 2015!

Cheers

Sujoy