Clik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 44: Cross Sherpani Col (6180m) to Baruntse High Camp (West...
Cross Sherpani Col (6180m) to Baruntse High Camp (West Col @ 6100m) If conditions are favourable and the group are moving at a good pace we may attempt to make the crossing of both Cols in a day, but...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 45: Cross West Col (5400m)
Cross West Col After our crossings are completed we descend into the Honku valley nearby five large glacial lakes which sprawl out before us. They are known as Panch Pokhari (five lakes). Quote for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 46: To Amphu Labsta Base (5400m)
Amphu Labsta Base (5400m) The Amphu Labsta pass is situated immediately at the head of the valley to our right and is basically the low point on the ridge between the Honku and the Imja valleys. For...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 47: Amphu Labsta Base (5400m)
A Rest and Acclimatization Day A new vista of peaks span out before us including Ama Dablam to the distant west, and many unnamed peaks. Amphu Labsta Base Camp is set close to the rocks that lead up...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 48: Cross Amphu Labsta (5845m) to Chukung (4730m)
Cross Amphu Labsta (5845m) to Chukung (4730m) An alpine start for our pass crossing. The approach to the pass from the Honku is deceptive. Facing east and southward there is much more sun and little...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 49: To Dingboche (4360m)
Happy Find Your Fit Friday to ALL! TA is the ambassador for Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador’s Find Your Fit Campaign. How are you finding your fit? Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 50: To Dzongla (4843m)
We proceed to Dzongla, another spectacularly situated camp, on our way to our next pass, the Cho La. Quote for the Day Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 51: Cross Cho La to Gokyo (4759m)
Cross Cho La to Gokyo (4759m) The views today are magnificent as we leave the Everest watershed and enter that of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world. The crossing involves a steep...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 52: Gokyo, ascend Gokyo Ri (5483m)
At Gokyo, ascend Gokyo Ri (5483m) The steady and unrelenting ascent of Gokyo Ri will take around two hours. We will be elated when we reach the summit with its spectacular view. Probably the most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 53: To Renjo La High Camp (5200m)
To Renjo La high camp We trek around Gokyo Lake to set up our wilderness camp below the Renjo La pass ready for our crossing tomorrow. Quote for the Day My father considered a walk among the mountains...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 54: Cross Renjo La to Taranga (4368m
Cross Renjo La to Taranga (4368m) The crossing of the Renjo La Pass will be exciting and relatively straight forward. The landscape is progressively that of the Tibetan Valleys beyond the border....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 55: To Thame (3820m)
To Thame (3820m/3hrs). We turn south and down valley towards Lukla for our return to Kathmandu. There are Sherpa villages to be explored as we descend the gorge. We will spend the night at the pretty...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 56: To Parchemuche Tsho...
Happy Find Your Fit Friday to ALL!TA is the ambassador for Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador’s Find Your Fit Campaign.How You Found Your Fit this week? Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 57: To Cave Camp (5665m)
To Cave Camp (5665m) We will be monitoring the weather conditions at this stage to be prepared for our pass crossing. Cave camp is set high and puts us in a good position to assess conditions for our...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 58: Cave Camp (5665m)
Rest Day Cave camp is set high and puts us in a good position to asses conditions for our Tashi Labsta crossing. Quote for the Day I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 59: Cross Tashi Labsta (5760m) to Trakarding Glacier (4735m)
Cross Tashi Labsta (5760m) to Trakarding Glacier (4735m) The weather, snow and glacier conditions will play a large part in how difficult the route will be. We climb up steadily through several rock...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 60: To Kabug (4820m)
To Kabug (4820m) The stages to Beding are pleasant,and we will trek through rhododendron, pine and juniper forest whilst travelling by the riverside. Quote for the Day An early-morning walk is a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 61: To Beding (3740m)
To Beding (3740m/ 5hrs). We will trek through rhododendron, pine and juniper forest whilst traveling by the riverside. Quote for the Day There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. A...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 62: To Dokhang (2791m)
To Dokhang (2791m) As we descend into warmer conditions and lush surrounds the walking becomes much easier now that we are fit and fully acclimatised. We will overnight in Dokhang in a spacious...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 63: To Simigaon (2036m)
Happy Find Your Fit Friday to ALL! TA is the ambassador for Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador’s Find Your Fit Campaign. How are you finding your fit? Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 64: To Bigu Gompa (2516m)
Trek down valley to Bigu Gompa (2516m) Bigu Gompa is the exit point for our Great Big Walk. Bigu is a Sherpa village, and Bigu Gompa is a nunnery dedicated to Avalokiteshwara, the all seeing,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 65: Bigu Gompa (2516m)
Bigu Gompa (2516m) Bigu Gompa is the exit point for our Rolwaling GHT stage. Bigu is a Sherpa village, and Bigu Gompa is a nunnery dedicated to Avalokiteshwara, the all seeing, all knowing remover of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Great Big Bus Ride Brings the Great Big Walk Back to Kathmandu
Our first motorized seats in 65 days! The whole crew jumped aboard a public bus (we hiked down to its first stop) and loaded all our packs for a hair-raising (for TA) ride to Barabhise (where we would...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk: Still Walking
It’s been a whirlwind since getting home ten days ago. I went right into teaching summer courses and the pictures I promised you are long/late in coming. The picture above is the team taking our first...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Great Big Walk
By Michelle Osmond On March 5, Dr. TA Loeffler set out on a 600 kilometre traverse of the High Himalaya in Nepal. The HKR professor, along with her partner Marion Wissink from the Department of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 29: To Bakim Kharka (3020m)
To Bakim Kharka/ High Camp (3020m) A short but challenging day with some steep ridge climbs and a minor pass crossing (2710m). Short is six to seven hours of walking. Quote for the Day Let’s take a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 30: To Molun Pokhari (3954m)
To Molun Pokhari (3954m/5hrs) For five further days we continue towards the Makalu Barun National Park. At times the trail will be steep and rocky with some scrambling sections and challenging climbs....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 31: To Dhunge Kharka (2980m)
Dhunge Kharka (2980m/7hrs) We continue towards the Makalu Barun National Park. At times the trail will be steep and rocky with some scrambling sections and challenging climbs. We will skirt around the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 32: To Saldim Khola or Khola Kharka (3900m)
Saldim Khola or Khola Kharka We continue towards the Makalu Barun National Park. At times the trail will be steep and rocky with some scrambling sections and challenging climbs. We will skirt around...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 33: To Adventure Pass Camp (3900m)
Adventure Pass Camp (3900m) We continue towards the Makalu Barun National Park. At times the trail will be steep and rocky with some scrambling sections and challenging climbs. We will skirt around...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 34: To Kalo Pokhari (4100m)
Kalo Pokhari (4100m/6hrs) We continue towards the Makalu Barun National Park. At times the trail will be steep and rocky with some scrambling sections and challenging climbs. We will skirt around the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 35: To Grazing Kharka...
Happy Find Your Fit Friday to ALL! TA is the ambassador for Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador’s Find Your Fit Campaign. How are you finding your fit? Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 36: To Yangla Kharka (3557m)
Yangla Kharka (3557m) Eventually we emerge into the valley bottom and continue along the easier main trail to Makalu base camp and Yangla Kharka. Great rock walls tower above as we make our way...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 37: To Langmale Kharka (4400m)
Langmale Kharka (4400m) It is a short trekking day to Langmale Kharka to aid acclimatisation,we take in the impressive mountain scenery found in this area.Great rock walls tower above as we make our...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 38: Langmale Kharka (4400m)
A Rest and Acclimatization Day We take in the impressive mountain scenery found in this area. Great rock walls tower above as we make our way through the enormous U-shaped valley. Snowy peaks are the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 39: To Makalu Base Camp (4870m)
To Makalu Base Camp (4870m) Makalu Base Camp affords stunning views of its south face, with the south buttress of Makalu offering views of Baruntse (7220m), Everest and Lhotse. The Hillary and French...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 40: Makalu Base Camp (4870m)
A Rest and Acclimatization Day Makalu Base Camp affords stunning views of its south face, with the south buttress of Makalu offering views of Baruntse (7220m), Everest and Lhotse. The Hillary and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 41: To Swiss Base Camp (5150m)
To Swiss Base Camp (5150m/5-6hrs) The second half of trek to Swiss BC is tricky and involves boulder hopping as we follow the Barun Glacier directly beneath Makalu enormous west face. Swiss Base Camp...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 42: Swiss Base Camp (5150m)
Happy Find Your Fit Friday to ALL!TA is the ambassador for Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador’s Find Your Fit Campaign.Did you sneak it in this week? Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Great Big Walk Day 43: To Sherpani Col Base Camp (5700m)
To Sherpani Col Base Camp (5700m) We have 2 days to position ourselves for the crossing of the Sherpani & West Cols. As we near the Sherpani Col base camp the trail is much less defined and with...
View Article
