Langtang Trek: Kyanjin Ri Panorama Video

A team from South Col Expeditions trekked the amazing Langtang valley in December 2014. Some members of the team climbed from Kyanjin Gompa to the lower Kyanjin Ri viewpoint. Here is a video of the panorama from the viewpoint.

Descending from Kyanjin Ri in the late afternoon 

For some more  photographs on the Langtang valley trek please do  visit  http://www.sujoydas.com/Nepal-Himalaya/Langtang/

Poon Hill Trek: Kande- Ghandrung-Ghorepani-Birethanti

A first time South Col trekker did this beautiful five day route in the Annapurna foothills in December 2014. Kumudini  narrates her  experiences - this is an invaluable account for first time trekkers to the Himalaya!

Annapurna South and Huinchuli

My First Trekking Experience 

by Kumudini Hajra

It’s always further than it looks, it’s always taller than it looks and

it’s always harder than it looks

may well be the three cardinal rules for trekking.

Other than very few one-day trekking experiences in the monsoons on the outskirts of Mumbai, I am fairly new to trekking. I am not quite sure how I took fancy to the idea of doing a real trek, that too in the Himalayas. It was partly a desire to be in a really cold place; partly a desire to do something involving physical exercise; partly to try my hand at photography; or may be, it was just a desire to be close to nature.  So, I decided to trek in the Himalayas!

The trek was organised by South Col Expeditions, a Kolkata based company which specializes in treks and photo workshops in the Himalayas. Sujoy Das, the owner of South Col Expeditions, is the joint author and photographer of Sikkim- A Travellers Guide and author of Lonely Planet Nepal - for the Indian Traveller and has been trekking for 30 years in the Himalayan region. I chose Annapurna Foothills Trek, which follows a loop with splendid views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail mountains in Nepal. The duration of the trek was ideal as I had to be away for only eight days (Sunday to Sunday) with 6 days of trekking.  

Poon Hill Sunset Panorama Video

Recently  I was at Poon Hill in December  2014 on a South Col Expeditions trek and it was a brilliant evening. So we went up for the sunset and this short video shows the awesome view!





For the names of  some of the peaks from Poon Hill see this  diagram below:

Nikon D7200

Nikon has introduced a new top of the line DX body, the D7200 which follows the D7100 and D7000. As compared to the earlier D7100, the improvements can be summarised as under:

• Upgraded image processor engine
• Bigger buffer size
• Increased low ISO capabilities going down to ISO 100
• Now also with Group Area AF and Auto Area AF
• More Picture Control options

The camera is an upgrade for the users of the D7100 and also the D7000.  

Looking at pricing the D7200 is around $ 1199 body only, a refurbished D7100 is now available for $699  whereas a  used D7000 is EX+ condition is available at www.keh.com at $ 449! The refurbished D7100 looks quite a steal!

Though the camera comes with some improved features, primarily the larger buffer size, I doubt it will be enough for those already using the D7100. However, users of the D7000 and the lesser DX Nikon bodies like the D90, D5000 series and D3000 series may well be tempted to upgrade to the D7200.

I suspect too that the initial pricing will stablise after a few months and the body should be available sub $1000 street!

Those DX users dreaming of a D400 to replace the D300/300s would possibly have to keep waiting - there does not seem any plan at Nikon's end to produce the D400 but one never knows! Nikon is full of surprises!
 ns

Tenzing Norgay: Tiger of the Snows

On Sunday 15th March 2015 at 7 pm, I will be presenting a slide show on the life and times of Tenzing Norgay at India Habitat Centre, Gul Mohar Hall, New Delhi. All are welcome for this show. The invitation and other details are below.