Where Next: Manaslu Circuit, Nepal

Destination: Nepal, on a three week Manaslu Circuit trek (excellent map) anticlockwise around the mighty Manaslu (मनास्लु) – the eighth highest mountain in the world (8163 m / 26781 ft).

Why: More high altitude trekking in the Himalaya with the excellent Val Pitkethly, crossing the Larkya La (5135 m / 16847 ft) and joining the dots between last year’s Tsum Valley trek and 2009’s Annapurna Circuit. Steffi and Charles are coming too. We’re promised some “Val specials” in terms of side treks. Plus it will be an opportunity to support the local communities at the centre of the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake, in an area where Light Education Development (LED) funds have provided school and medical supplies for many years.

When: April/May 2016

How: On a private trek with Val Pitkethly, plus, I hope, Sirdar Chhiring. Flights booked with Jet Airways this morning.

Weather forecast for Gandaki zone: Kathmandu, Barpak, Lokpa (turn right for Tsum), Sama, Manaslu Base Camp, Samdo, Larkya La, Bimthang, Dharapani (where the Annapurna Circuit connects), Chyamje, Besi Sahar.

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