Apa Sherpa To Hike Great Himalayan Trail

Two famous Sherpa mountain guides are preparing to embark on another epic adventure in mid-January, when they set off to hike the entire length of the 1700km (1056 mile) Great Himalayan Trail. Starting on January 15th, Apa Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa will begin the trek, which is expected to take roughly 120 days to complete.

Touted as the highest altitude long distance trail in the world, the GHT isn't likely to pose much of a problem for these two men. Apa has reached the summit of Everest an astounding 21 times, while Dawa has been to the top of the world's highest peak on two occasions himself. They've chosen to undertake this latest challenge in an effort to raise the profile of the trail and bring economic investment to its development. They'll begin their journey in eastern Nepal in the village of Ghunsa and will march west until they reach the town of Darchula. Along the way, they'll pass through 20 different districts, surrounded by the unmatched mountain landscapes of the Himalaya.

Along the way, Apa and Dawa will also be looking to raise awareness of the impact of global climate change on the region as well. That has been a particularly important topic with the Sherpas over the past few years, as mountain glaciers retreat, taking their fresh water supply with them. This is an important issue for Nepal, particularly in remote rural areas, where villagers often have to walk for hours each day just to collect fresh water.

Hopefully the two men will post updates along the way and will share their journey online. In the past Apa has often posted about his Everest climbs online, and if he does something similar with this trek, I'll post regular updates on their progress here.

The GHT sounds like an amazing experience and I hope that it garners more attention amongst trekkers and backpackers.

Trekkers Complete First Thru-Hike Of Great Himalaya Trail

Two trekkers, Australian Greg Babbage and Brit Toni Wilson, have walked their way into the record books by becoming the first people to hike the length of the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal end-to-end in a single season. The pair began their walk back in February and finished up just a few days ago, covering more than 1700km (1056 miles) in the process.

You can read all about Greg and Toni's adventure on TrekTheGreatHimalayaTrail.com, which is where they posted updates about their journey over the past few months. The duo began their excursion in the eastern part of Nepal, near Kanchenjunga and wandered west to Humla, in the Yari Valley, where the borders between Nepal and China meet. Along the way, they passed over 25 high mountain passes, reaching a maximum altitude of 6200 meters (20,341 ft) in the process. All told, the entire trek took 157 days to complete.

When it is completed, the GHT will be the longest and highest trekking route in the world, stretching for more than 4500km  (2796 miles) from Nanga Parbat in Pakistan to Namche Barwa in Tibet. The proposed final route will pass through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, with the splendor of the tallest mountains on the planet as a dramatic backdrop.

For now however, the route across Nepal is the only section that is completely open for trekkers to hike, and Australian adventure travel company World Expeditions offers travelers the opportunity to take it on – either in sections or as one massive hike. The company is already organizing excursions for 2012, preparing a great trip for anyone looking for a Himalayan experience that is unmatched by any other trek through the region. If you have 157 days of vacation to burn, then I'd recommend you take this walk.

Trekking The Great Himalaya Trail

In terms of long distance trekking, the relatively newly established Great Himalayan Trail is tough to beat in terms of challenge and beauty. The GHT is made up of a collection of existing treks that have been linked together to make one massive hiking experience, and once it is completed, trail organizers hope that it will span Bhutan, Tibet, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

For now however, the one section of the GHT that is officially open and accessible is the leg that runs across Nepal. That trail was recently thru-hiked by two Americans, Shawn Forry and Justin Lichter, who covered the 1700km (1056 mile) in 57 days, going unsupported and self-guided the entire way. Shawn was recently interviewed about their adventure at GreatHimalayaTrail.org.

In the interview, Forry talks about their inspiration for hiking the GHT, the route they took along the way, and his favorite section of the trail. He also discusses the most challenging sections of the trail, how the GHT compares to other big hikes, and a lot more. It is quite an interesting read for anyone considering a trek in the Himalaya, either along the GHT or elsewhere.

Of course, I'd absolutely love to return to the Himalaya for another trek, and the GHT would be high on the list. I'm not sure I'd want to do it in just 57 days however, as I'd prefer a more relaxed pace with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and culture. Still, it seems that Shawn and Justin had an amazing adventure in Nepal.

Big thanks to Rick from Best Hike for sharing this great story.