We approached Paro airport with excitement about the journey ahead. As we entered the airport’s arrival area, we were greeted by beautiful wood carvings, with vibrant colors and paintings. It felt like entering a boutique hotel! This was HAL’s inaugural Snowman trek, and the goal was to trek the first half also known as the Laya-Gasa route. A dream that Tony and Sharon had nurtured for years. Our team consisted […]
Manaslu Fastpack 2024 Trip Report
This year’s Manaslu Fastpack marked our third edition, and it was only the second time we included Tsum Valley in our route. For those interested, you can check out last year’s trip report to learn why we decided to incorporate this beautiful and culturally rich valley into the Manaslu Circuit. Our 2024 Manaslu team consisted of Jeremy and Sudeep, while Srijan unfortunately had to sit this one out due to […]
Kanchenjunga Makalu Traverse: A Three-Part Adventure
Eastern Nepal, particularly the eastern section of the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT), had lured me for a while. And explore I did, venturing into the region a total of three times in 2023, each journey adding more trails to my map. First Trip: May 2023 Sijan, a close friend of mine, having gotten into grad school, was fulfilling a vow to visit Pathivara 3,794 m (Nepali: पाथिभरा देवी मन्दिर, Limbu: […]
Cambodia by Kayak: 500+ Km of the Mekong with a Splash of Fear
Haunted by a near-drowning experience in high school, I spent fifteen years terrified of water. It wasn’t until early 2022, in preparation for a sailing trip in the Orcas Islands, that my friend Seth (a great mentor over the years, we started Himalayan Adventure Labs together, but he has stepped back now) nudged me back into swimming lessons. Overcoming that fear felt like a victory, and when Seth floated the […]
Lamjung High
The trip was to find an alternative route for ‘The Annapurna Circuit’ and the first stage was to cross ‘Namun-la’ pass, a pass not many have heard about.
Naar Phu and Chulu Peak 2023 – Trip Report
The Annapurna massif loomed ahead, a silent challenge of towering peaks and hidden trails. Chulu, a 6000m+ titan, flanked by the 5000m giants of Kang La and Thorung La, awaited.
Everest Base Camp Trek 2023
During our orientation, over dinner, I mentioned to Maria that the most important thing to remember during any trips in Nepal was to be flexible on any given situation. But, little did I know, as we got on the bus from Kathmandu a little over an hour after midnight to get to the airport in Ramechap for our flight to Lukla, that with the first rays of light the previously […]
The Langtang Fastpack 2023 Chronicle
Buckle up, folks, because Langtang Fastpack 2023 was more of an epic tale than your grandma’s Sunday yarns! Our spirited adventure kicked off with blessings from Hindu priests at the Budhanilkantha temple. We’re Team Reindeer (yes, with the antlers and all), and our adventure began in the heart of Budhanilkantha. From there, we plunged headfirst into the lush wonderland of Shivapuri National Park, where adventure and memories awaited. When we […]
Langtang Trail Running Camp 2023
A total of 130 kilometers while gaining 7560 meters of elevation in three days looks tough and demanding on paper, the journey itself is impossible to quantify. More than the physical strain the body endures, these three days were filled with observing nature as it is and quality conversations on life and such.
Manaslu Fastpack 2023 Trip Report
Greetings, fearless adventurers! It’s me, the Yeti, reporting back on the epic journey we embarked upon during the Manaslu Fastpack 2023, organized by the incredible folks at Himalayan Adventure Labs (HAL). Brace yourselves for a tale filled with laughter, excitement, and a sprinkle of mischief! Our team was an unstoppable force of adventure seekers, ready to conquer the untamed trails. Tony and Sharon, the seasoned veterans of Annapurna Fastpack 2017, […]