on December 24, 2024
Namaste from the Himalayas!
As the dust settles on another exciting season of adventures, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of our recent trips. The Khopra Ridge and North Annapurna Base Camp trek offered stunning views and a deeper appreciation for community run lodges and the fragility of the mountain environment. Our Kanchenjunga to Kathmandu Valley Rim expedition presented its own set of challenges, from navigating unexpected changes in plans to embracing the beauty of the Kathmandu Valley Rim. The Snowman trek in Bhutan with the Divine Marmots was a mini HAL reunion (Chris, Sharon, Tony & Sudeep) in a unique cultural setting alongside breathtaking Himalayan scenery. The Manaslu Fastpack was a special trip, with several mini-adventures; from helping to build bridges to making friends with border patrol on a side trip to the Tibetan border!
We also used this season to highlight important issues facing the adventure community. Sudeep recently penned a blog post on the state of emergency evacuations in Nepal, highlighting the need for a more robust and efficient system. We are also exploring new routes to make the classic Annapurna Circuit an actual circuit. Watch out for updates on this!
In other news, we unveiled our new HAL logo, inspired by our shared passion for exploring the Himalayas and experimenting with new ways to experience the mountains. The ridgeline featured in the logo pays homage to the Langtang range, a constant backdrop to our 2016 adventure where Himalayan Adventure Labs was coined.
We were excited to showcase the Himalayan Outdoor Safety Initiative (HOSI) at the recent Adventure Expo in Kathmandu. We are continuing with the HAL grant program, and this year’s recipient is Sushmita Bhandari from National College, Kathmandu University, who is researching the perceptions, benefits, and challenges that farmers face when using different types of seeds.
We’re already looking forward to the next year! Here’s a glimpse into our upcoming adventures:
This holiday season, give yourself (or someone you care about) the gift of an adventure. Take care of yourself and if possible someone else too.
Happy holidays from Anuj, Srijan, Sudeep and Vivek.