G'day all. Hope all's well with you.

I am back in KTM and relaxing and getting organised before I have a busy time. It is so good to be back here with good food and beer.

However I must say that I had a great time in Pakistan and so glad I went. Pakistan is the real adventure country and it makes Nepal seam tame. Every day there is exciting and an adventure. It is a really shame that no tourist want to go there as there is so much to see and do, and the people so warm, helpfully and friendly. A real contrast to want is perceived when you want TV or read the papers. It is also a real shame with all the problems with terrorism and now the major floods.

Anyway back to Nepal. I am off to Bhutan on the 16th for the Thimphu festival and to trek the Cholohari trek. This trek has to be slightly changed as one of the bridges has been washed away with no other way to cross the river. I am quietly exciting about returning to Bhutan.

After that and a few days off, I head out on a new trip to the remote Tibetan valleys of Naa and cross the rarely visited passes and valleys of the Domar Himal to the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang. Really looking forward to that.

I am then off to Makalu base camp a private trip around Manasulu and a side trip to the Tsum valleys, more on them later.

Best go, beer calling.

Ade

Hi from Pakistan

I have witness here the devastation and destruction to the recent rains and flooding. I have a good friend who is working for a local relief agency. I anyone wishes to donate some money to a very worthy cause then please contact me and I will past on their details. You can be assured that 100% of cash donated will be used for essentials such as tents, clothing, food, water and medicines.

Also I was asked again by the village elders of Hushe to assist them in getting an English speak teacher. If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested please pass on my details. Only qualification is to be a native English speaker and a big sense of adventure.

Thanks

Hi all.

Hope all's well with you. I am relaxing in a friends hotel in Gilgit northern Pakistan. Great to be here after all the problems with the rains, floods and landslides.

I after a hard but good trek to K2 base camp, we had to drive back to Islamabad on a b road via the babusar pass as the main Karakorum highway was un-drivable due 3 bridges being wash away. Great journey although a little tiring taking 2 days.

Once the group left I head back into the mountains. I was lucky as i met a friend of mine jeep driver and got a lift in his jeep. Will head north soon to Hunza and have a look at the new Attabad lake.

Take care all the best

Ade

Hi

Just arrived in Skardu after a good but hard trek.

Hope to fly tomorrow back to Islamabad.

Off for a shave and a beer oops tea.

more soon

Hi all from Skardi in Baltistan.

Finally managed to mak it here after the second time to try and fly here. We have driven but most of the bridges are ut between Islamabad and here so flying was the only real option. There is 1 landslide on the road to Asole where we start our trek but that should be no problem to cross.

Got to go

Ade

Hi from Sunny Lapaz

Just back from the mountains and cycling the road of death. We didn´t manage to climb Illimai due to no snow and very dangerous ice conditions, so we cycled the Road of Death instead, great fun I did it last time I was here.

Chilling here in Lapaz and I leave tomorrow evening back to Wales.

all the best from Bolivia, I am off to Pakistan next.

Ade

G´day all, hope life's sunny with you?

Just a quick update from the beautiful Copacabana on the lake shore of Lake Titicaca, and not the popular beachside resort in Brazil.

Just back from a lovely few days on the Isle of the sun so that the climbing group I am leading can acclimatise and get use to being around 4000m.


We are off tomorrow into the mountain of the Cordillera Real to trek for 3 days to our first base camp where we will hopefully climb Pequeno Alpamayo, before moving on to attempt Huayna Potosi. After a rest day back in Lapaz we will try and climb Illimani.


Bolivia is a great place and I have really enjoyed being here.


Best go.

Hi
Sorry I have been in touch but a tad busy.

To keep you up to date for this year, this is how is has panned out.

I had a great time in Thailand and Cambodia before heading to Nepal for what was supposed to be 2 climbing trips. The first trip was great and successfully climbed tent peak in the Annapurna range. My second trip of Mera Peak crossing the Amphu Labsta and Island peak was cancelled due to the Volcanoe in Iceland situation where my clients couldn´t get to Nepal. So I reccied a new route in the remote and restricted area of upper Dolpo, what an awesome trek that was. (Photos to follow).

I then return briefly to the UK to see family and friends before heading here to Bolivia where I head out on a trek tomorrow, after that I am off to climb 3 peaks in Bolivia, and I am quite looking forward to it.


Promise to blog more in future.

Ade

Pictures

Hi from Rishikesh

a few pic's

all the best

http://www.facebook .com/album. php?aid=155367&id=715996067&l=1dbd7e6019
http://www.facebook .com/album. php?aid=155360&id=715996067&l=6fe51288fc
http://www.facebook .com/album. php?aid=146314&id=715996067&l=360d268a7c
http://www.facebook .com/album. php?aid=155368&id=715996067&l=204fa2a3be

G'day all from hot and sweaty Delhi.

Hope your all well and having fun.

I am back in Delhi after a great trek in Ladakh, but sadly no climbing as we had 2 days of heavy snow as we crossed the last high pass and sat in a tent for a day watching the snow fall. We were lucky late by being invited to the local nomads Buddhist teachings as there local Lama (Monk) visited them for there 1st a year bit of reglion. It as a great experience and we were guest off honour at the occasion, so once again good things arise from a not so good situation. It was really good being back in Leh, and Ladakh, it really is a special place in the world.

Relaxing this w/e before my new group arrive on Monday. This trips could be equally or more exciting that my last. I lead this trip 3 years ago when we were the first group to cross the 6000m Kalindi Kal pass on the India Tibet border after the area was opened up, due to India and China finally taking about there unresolved border up in Uttarkashi District , Uttarakhand.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangotri_Glacier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangotri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivling_%28Garhwal_Himalaya%29


I have just found out though that my permits are suspended because of heavy snow again and they will hopefully be reinstated before we get there. We are now planning to trek up to the pass, climb to the top of the pass and return the same way as there is a large army post 2 days the other side and we have no permits to cross. So this should be another fun one.

Keep smiling, all the best

Ade

Juley from Leh. Ladakh.

Quite a wet and woolly day today, as we tried to drive to the highest drivable road into the Nubra valley over the Kandong la 5300m, but sadly failed due to the bad weather. We managed to reach 5000m, but then the snow was too much and we had to turn around. No views apart from cloud!

Weather has been a bit average but the forecast is good for the next few weeks let hope so.

Off tomorrow for the drive to Rumste and then our 12 day trek to Tso Moriri lake and our climb of Mentok Peak.

all the best

Ade

Juley from Leh

Juley from Leh,

I arrive in leh on an early flight from Delhi. We were very lucky to arrive because of bad weather. two other flights were canceled but we managed to land. It was a rather bumpy bouncy landing though.

Great to be back here after a 3 year absence and blessed with the start of the Ladakh festival today. We watched the opening ceremony with fantastic sing and dancing. i was not too impressed by all the speeches by the politicians and dignitaries.

Off on a cultural day tomorrow and also acclimatising before head off on trek in a few days time.

All the best

Ade

Ade on the India Pakistan Border‏

Hi all hope alls good.

No I am not going in to Pakistan but would love to.

I am in Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple and the amazing but werid India Pskistan border closing ceremony. After a buisy day getting organised for my next to trip I decided to jump on a train early the following morning and get myself to Amristar, home of the Sikh's and their amazing Golden temple.

I arrived this morning a bit tired but fine and headed straight to the Temple. It bought back a few memories as i stayed there for 3 days on my overland trip back in 95. You can stay there for free (but should really leave a good donation) and just hang out with all the pilgrims.

After that I headed to the India Pakistan border for the flag lowering and closing ceremony. Such as strange thing. The 2 sets of border guards have a very well choreographed routine to close the gates and lower the flag. You may have seen it on Micheal Pallin Himalaya programme. I will post some pic's and video soon.

Off exploring Amritsar tomorrow then early train to Delhi the next and time to start work.

all the best

Ade

At the New Flash T5 at Heathrow

Just at the new flash Heathrow T5.

Very shinny and new with pricey coffee, but fast and efficient check-in.

Relaxing now after with a coffee before my flight to delhi. I am quite looking forward to returning to India. I have 2 trips.

A trek and a climb in Ladakh and then an crossing of a mountaineering pass in the Garwhal Himalaya.

Besy go and catch my flight.

Ade

Isalam Aliku, from Dushanbe.

Just a quick email to say that after a long hot dusty and thankfully uneventful 2 days drive from Khrog to Dushanbe we have arrived.

We drove over a 3285.9m pass according to the hand painted sign on the top where we were met by an armed soldier telling us not to take photos. It was a dusty drive off the pass on a road that shouldn't be called a road it should be called a rocky dusty bumpy track. We tried to stop for lunch at quite a few places but we told that they had no food! We finally found a place to eat kebabs salad and bread in a werid town called Obi Garma which means hot water.

Then we thought straight onto Dushanbe for hot showers and cold beers, but no, the local police had a different ideas as we were stopped 6 or 7 times for a check.

First time our drivers were fined ???? for not having clean minivans so we had to stop at the convientently place local car wash and have them steam cleaned and polished.

Finally arrived in Dushanbe, and we checked into our hotel and then off for our farewell dinner and a few well earned beers. Then back to the hotel for just a few hours sleep befor the group had to leave for the airport at 3am, for their 5:10 flight. Luckily all that went smoothly and they are now jetting their way home.


So the Wakhan trek adventure has finally come to an end, and what an adventure it was......


All the best Ade

Wakhan Trek Adventure

Hi back in Dushanbe. Here's a copy of my blogs on the company I was working for website. Ade

Ade and the gang, finally get some serious trekking in the Little Pamir (04/08/2009)

We had a tough and an amazing day today. It took a while to organise loads and hire horses for our first day's trek. The group did a lovely tour of the town guided by the local school teacher. Interestingly the school was built by the Central Asia Institute made famous by Greg Mortenson’s book “3 Cups of Tea”. After an early lunch we set off through the village. The entire village came out to wave us off and wish us luck, quite a touching moment. We were soon working hard as we climbed over the 4,150m Daliz Pass. This was quite hard work for some but we were rewarded with spectacular views of the Great Pamir and Hindu Kush ranges. We arrived in camp tired but glad to have finally stretched our legs. Best go to sleep and be ready for tomorrow...



Ade enjoying the Wakhan (06/08/2009)

What a day we have had. After a hearty breakfast of porridge and bread honey cheese and peanut butter we set off and crossed into the Madoff Valley. This is a huge open previously glaciated valley with a beautiful meandering river flowing through it. Soon we found amazing Petrogliphs dated from god knows when. There were many animals carved onto the rocks and there was even one showing a snow leopard eating a man. We continued up the valley and had lunch with a nomad Wakhi family while they looked after their sheep and goats, some of us had a chance to ride a yak. Back on the trail we trekked up the main section of the valley, as we continued up this huge open valley it reminded me so much of my treks in Western Mongolia... heh Jonny I think we should have a Wild Expedition there next year, what do you think? We are now camped next to another Nomadic Wakhi family and their local Wakhi yurt just below the 4820m Kofal-e-Qarabel pass which we plan to cross tomorrow. Wish us luck.


Ade reports from camp, having crossed the Kofal-e-Qarabel pass (07/08/2009)

Hi all from a beautiful campsite just below the pass. Today was a bit of a tough one for some as we climbed up to 4820m to the Kofal-e-Qarabel pass. We left early after a fond farewell from the family we were camped by and started the long walk to the pass. Fantastic views all the way up to the top of the pass, and even better view from the top. We had a lovely picnic lunch just off the pass with our herdsmen before descending into the Chaplak valley where we set up camp at the confluence of two glacial streams. I can hear them flowing majestically as I write this blog in my tent. The almost full moon and Venus is illuminating the valley spectacularly. We have decided to have a rest day tomorrow, as most are pretty tired after more than a week of constant travelling, is starting to show its effects. It won’t be a complete lazy day as we are planning a visit to a nearby Wakhi family. Goodnight.




Ade leads the gang back over Kofal-e-Qarabel pass (09/08/2009)

After a very relaxing rest day and a magnificent meal of Mutton Kebabs and chips which I finally got to use my HP sauce, we had to start to head back down. My main concern is to get back to Sharhad in time to meet our jeeps. The group are going well, some better than others as we crossed over again the Kofal-e-Qarabel pass 4820m. The views appeared even more spectacular as we viewed them from a different angle. Lunch was in an idyllic meadow, with alpine flowers all around. It was very relaxing as we eat our picnic of tuna & happy cow cheese and local naan, cooked for us by a nomadic family. Now we are in camp next to a gentle stream at a place called Barnoz. I don’t think you’ll find it on any map or even google earth. We have another early start tomorrow for a continuing descent through the Wakhan Corridor, so goodnight.


Ade walks, while the girls ride yaks! (11/08/2009)

Another fantastic trekking day in the Wakhan today. We have been blessed with the weather, blue sunny skies and a nice cooling breeze. After a bit of a windy night we all emerged from a dusty campsite to the warming rays of the sun, and after another hearty breakfast we set off down the valley following the river on a high shoulder. We had a glorious photo session with a nomadic family moving on their Yaks from one grazing ground to another. We dropped down into the main Wakhan valley and had lunch by the river as a place called Borack. A quick snooze by some and we were off climbing up to our present campsite just below the Daliz Pass. On the way we had a lovely experience. We bumped into a family going to Sarhad to send the kids to school. It was the end of Wakhan school holidays and half the family will stay in Sarhad with the school children and the other half will head off in to the High Pamir. The ladies in our party - Kate, Mindy, Charlie and Tiffany - were offered rides on the family’s yaks. They quickly agreed and headed down the hill and crossed the river while the rest of us blokes had to walk down and then wade across the river in our sandals. Good to see that chivalry is alive and well in the Wakhan.

At camp now and just finished dinner, last plod onto Sarhad tomorrow where we will hopefully meet our jeeps before the long drive back to civilisation. We’ll leave the Wakhan having had an extraordinary time but I could kill for a beer.


Ade and the gang have a fabulous day treking in the Wakhan. (10/08/2009)

We have had a fantastic day's trekking today. I was sad to leave my tent as I pitched it near the stream and had a peaceful night's sleep. I love falling asleep and waking up to the sound of a river or beaches. We ambled down the valley passing a few families in their mobile summer homes (similar to yurts), grazing their flocks of sheep, goats and yaks. We were greeted in such a friendly and warm way you had to pinch yourself to remember that you were in Afghanistan, a place that's usually so swamped in bad news. At lunch a local family gave us a bowl of tradition food that was very similar to rice pudding, that went down well with the group who I think need a change from happy cow cheese. After a few rock-hopping river crossings and a welcomed descent of a few 100 meters, we finally arrived at our campsite and hurried to put up tents and kitchen before the wind picked up too much. After tea, coffee and biscuits we were treated to an impromptu performance of Wakhi traditional singing and dancing by our horsemen and our local guide, quite wonderful to be here in this living culture in the Wakhan corridor.

Ade and the group start the long journey home (12/08/2009)

Just a quick blog today as we do not have much power on the computer. Last night we had a lovely farewell evening with our horsemen. The group donated many gifts such as boots, fleeces, thermals and quite a few smelly socks which we raffled off in a big thank you party. All the horsemen loved their gifts but the concept of a raffle was difficult to explain. Today was an early start on the road to Kali-e-Panja. We had a lovely visit to a local school and then a long, hot dusty drive but with awesome mountain scenery. The Hi-lux gear van had a few mechanical problems which slowed us down a bit. We are half way to Iskershim and have a crazy river crossing tomorrow. Group all well and looking forward to getting to Iskershim and civilisation.


Ade and the gang make it back to Sarhad (12/08/2009)

Back in Sarhad e-Broghil after another enjoyable and final days walk in the Wakhan. We were up early and keen to attack the Daliz Pass (4277m) before the sun really hit and it became too hot. It was really a lovely walk with a nice cooling breeze. We were greeted again by the local village people as we walked past there fields and by the kids who waved and cheered. We got to our guesthouse and there was a mad dash to the village Hamam, well, more a natural hot spring sulphur bath. I say bath, they are more like a tepid hot spring dribble, but never the less it was very welcome after nearly 2 weeks of washing from a bowl, or mountain spring or having a wet wipe moment. As we grouped to have some tea and biscuits everyone looked different. Clean. We had a fantastic dinner of lamb kebabs rice and veg curry, a mixture of the guesthouse staff and our cook team working together to produce a delicious farewell dinner. We leave tomorrow for the 2 day drive back to Iskershim which is the nearest to civilisation you can get around here.

Ade makes it back to Ishkashim where the Afghan adventure began (14/08/2009)

It has been another day in the jeeps as we bounced and bumped our way along the rough road to Iskershim. After a beautiful star filled night we were all up early, raring to get going. It was a long hot dusty day in the jeeps, luckily the river crossing was quite uneventful as the river was low. In our convoy of 3 jeeps, a mini van and a clapped out old Hi Lux which had the camping gear, we moved steadily but surely along the road, arriving into Iskershim at 3:30pm. A nice leisurely 8 hours travelling. As soon as we dropped off all our gear most of us headed into the bazaar for shaves and shopping. Carpets, horse saddles bags and scarves seemed to be the favourite purchases and now there is a severe shortage of those items in town. Then back to the guesthouse for a lovely farewell dinner and sad goodbyes to our local staff: Gorgarli the guide, Sheriff his assistant and Aziz the wonderful cook. We cross back into Tajikistan tomorrow where we are all looking forward to hot showers, different food and most of all a beer… or 3!

Ade - back in Tajikistan (14/08/2009)

It's been a hot and dusty day but we have arrived in Khorog just a few hours away from the Tajik-Afghan border. We were all up early this morning excited and apprehensive about crossing back into Tajikistan, but everything went well and we think we were the biggest excitement the border guards had since our crossing 2 weeks ago. After breakfast we packed 2 minivans with all our belongings - old and new - and headed to the border. The Tajik-Afghan frontier is not just a political border but a geographical one as well, as the Panja River separates the two countries. The actual immigration and customs posts are on an island in the river. Once we arrived at the Afghan immigration, the ladies were invited inside and offered seats while us blokes had to wait outside in the dust and heat. It took a while for all the passports to be checked and stamped and after a quick peek into a few bags we walked across no-mans-land into Tajikistan. We were met by Shargaf, our Tajik agent, who helped us go through the paperwork and passport things before jumping into our new minivans and heading off to the Tajikistan town of Ishkashim, for lunch and yes a well earned beer. Two and a half hours drive and we are in Khorog, showered and relaxed and looking forward to an Indian curry and few cold ones. Two more days drive to the capital Dushanbe before the group head home.

Bartang Valley

Well where to start. Marc staryed in Dushanbe to meet the group and hopefully be reunited with his bag, while I and 3 clients (Mindy Tiffany and Peter) who made it to Dusahanbe decided to take off and explore the Bartang valley. They say that good things comes out of a bad situation and we had the best time. The Bartang Valley is fantastic!what a find. I will recomend that we visit this valley on any trip that is coming this way.

We drove up a bit of a bumpy side road when it ended at one of those crazy suspension bridges you get in this part of the world. We did a quick repack and took just want we needed for the night and for a day walk and proceeded to cross the raging Khrog river which we could clearly see inbetween the slacks of the bridge.

A clear trails climbed up and around the rocky ridgeline into the Bartang Valley and we followed the river for 2.5 hours rock hoping our way up until we reached the Idylic village of Geavis.

We were warmly greated by the locals and given tea and snacks. There is a fantastic network of homestays in the valley which give you a great balance of comfort and an authenic experience.

We relaxed in the sun on rugs drinking tea and watching the local kids play carefreely.

After a sound night sleep we were up early by the sound of the cockrel annoucing the day had arrived and we set off futher up the valley to explore the other village, 3 in total and the amazing blue lakes supplied by the raging river Bartang.

It was all too soon before we had to return to our now friends at out homestay for lunch and prepare for a sad departure back to out minibus via the crazy bridge.

The people of this valley are so friendly and happy it reminded me some much of Hunza and the easy and stressfree lifestyle that exsist there.

We were then back to the Adeventure of the Wakhan trek after our little break. We found out that Marc and the rest of the team will be meeting us today (friday) Inshallah where we will cross the border at Iskershim into Afghanistan, and where who know what adventures we'll have.

Ade the best Ade Summers Expedition Leader

Wakhan Trek - In Dushanbe

Quick update as the email is crap here.

Trying to start this trek in the wakhan seam difficult.

We arrive ok and met 2 of the group at istanbul airport. Arrived in Dushanbe the captial of Tajikistan at 3:40 the morning ok. But nothing seams to be going well on this trip as Marc the guy from the office bags did not aarrive and was left in Istanbul. It will get here on thursday Inshallah (if god wills).

The london and main part of the treking group consist of 9 people including the TV presenter Kate Humble ???? are at the monent flying to Istanbul and hope to pick up a Tajikistan airways fly the following day to arrive here tuesday evening. If on they will fly with Turkish ariline on wednesday night to arrive ealy thursday morning.

So the plan. I am taking to group here as normal plan to the border. If the London arrive on Tajik they will catchup up wednesday night.
If they fly Turkish they with meet us again at the border but we will have a day walk in another area on the way to the border.

I hope the plan works.

Wish me luck



Probably want hear from me in a few weeks no internet where I am going.



Take care and have fun


Ade


Ade Summers

Check out My Website
www.adetnw.com
http://adetnw.blogspot.com/
www.youtube.com/user/WelshNomad

Wahkan Trek - In Istanbul aiprort

Hi from Instanbul airport.

We we nade it here ok after the fun and games of yesterday, and few beers and a good night sleep and we jumped on a flight to Instanbul, where we will connect to Dushanbe.

Luck seamed to be on our side until I just heard the the group flight out of London to connect with my flight is now delayed due to technical problems.

Let the fun continue, at least there is Efes beer at the airport here.

Fingers crossed

Ade

Wakhan Corridor Trek - Off to a great start

Well this trip has got off to a fault start.

Flight to Riga from Gatwick airport was depayed and we missed our flight to Dushanbe.

We rearrange our plans so that we spend the night in Riga and then fly to Villious and onto Moscow and then onto Dushanbe just a day late after a 24 hour travel day.

Big problem although we were told that it wasn't a problem. We were told that we did not need a visa for russia as we would be in transit. Wrong... we were not allowed on the flights and were refused boarding. So now waiting at the airport to fly back to Riga and fly onto Istanbul tomorrow and meet the main group at the aiport and arrive at 03;40 just 2 days late....

Heh oh. Ade Summers