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Welcome to The Mountain Company's New Year 2009 Newsletter!
Roland got back to the UK in mid December after a busy three months leading treks in Bhutan and Nepal. Highlights of the post monsoon season include completing the Lunana Snowman trek in remote northen Bhutan and summitting Mera Peak for the third time!
Looking back to the rest of 2008, other highlights were Roland's Manaslu and Dhaulagiri Circuit treks in April and May. In the summer crossing the Gondogoro La on the K2 Base Camp trek was an unforgettable experience, in fact I think we were the only UK based company do get over this year.
It is encouraging to read the positive feedback we received from our trekkers this year. I have copied a few recent comments below:
"Hi, I just thought I would take the time to let you know what a wonderful trip we had on our Everest Luxury Lodges trek. Everything to do with the organisation was first class; you really run a well oiled machine. All of your staff that we met were charming and very helpful....."
"I just want to say a big thank you for a fantastic time on the Mera Peak trek. As a 'first timer' I could not have wished for a better group that was lead so professionally. My appetite has been well and truly tweaked so I'm already thinking about the next one! Once again thanks for a great adventure"
Roland will be in the UK until the first week of March so please call if you would like to chat about a trip to the Himalayas or Kilimanjaro. Our office telephone number is '+44 (0)207 4980953
Happy New Year!
The Mountain Company team |
| Lunana Snowman, Bhutan |
 In October '08 our Lunana Snowman group successfully completed this trek across northern Bhutan. The Snowman trek is known as one of the most challenging in the Himalayas crossing over 14 high mountain passes and covering 400km over 28 days of trekking.
The Lunana Snowman is a very special trek passing through a beautiful and unspoilt region of the Himalayas. The area is still heavily forested and this year's group saw lots of animals & birds including blue sheep, marmots, Himalayan black bear & cub, blood pheasant, lammergeyer and birds of prey.
For a report on the trek please see the TMC Blog and for photos check out our Photo Gallery for Lunana Snowman
The Mountain Company is planning on running this trek in September/ October 2009 so please get in touch if you are interested. For further information on this trek please see our Lunana Snowman trek page where you can download the recently updated Trip Dossier. |
| Coronation in Bhutan |
In November the new king of Bhutan was crowned. At 28 years of age King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck becomes the world's youngest monarch.
It is worth noting that the daily permit fee for Bhutan is set to rise by 25% effective from July 2009. To beat this increase why not come to Bhutan with us in the spring? For information on our Bhutan trips |
| High quality trek equipment |
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Over the years The Mountain Company has invested in purchasing high quality imported equipment for use on our treks. Listed below are some of the pieces of kit we have that I am sure you will agree are far better than our competitors!
In Nepal and Bhutan we use Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 tents. These are incredibly strong tents often used on 8000m expeditions. They are three person tents so there is plenty of space for two people plus gear.
Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 tent
In Nepal we have recently invested in German made Edelrid 6 point crampons for all of our porters and crew. These are essential for securing the safety of porters on icey slopes while carrying their loads especially for Mera Peak, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri Circuits.
Edelrid 6 point crampons
All of our western leaders are provided a Thuraya satellite phone for logistical, safety use and personal use.
Thuraya SO 2510 satellite phone
Gone are the days of smelly kerosene lanterns in the mess tent, we now use Eco lanterns with Wind Up technology designed by Trevor Baylis.
Trevor Baylis Wind Up lantern
We have recently purchased a number of Bialetti 16 cup Moka Espresso makers. Good coffee will now be available on all of our treks, of course this is by far the best way to start your trekking day!
Bialetti Moka Espresso maker |
| Western led treks for April & May '09 |
 We have two western led treks in Nepal during the pre monsoon season.
In April, Roland is leading Makalu BC & Shipton La. This trek visits a remote area of Nepal where there are few other trekkers. Roland has some friends on a Makalu expedition so no doubt they will drop in for a cuppa!
If you are planning on visiting Nepal in the Spring we encourage you to book your flights soon in order to get reasonable prices for your dates. |
| Sherpa led treks for March, April & May '09 |
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We have a busy program of Sherpa led treks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan for the pre monsoon trekking season, please get in touch soon if you are interested in joining any of these trips:
Nepal
Everest Base Camp & Sherpa village
(March 8th to 26th & April 5th to 23rd)
(March 21st to April 5th 2009)
(March 7th to 22th & April 4th to 19th)
(April 5th to 26th)
(April 4th to 26th)
(February 1st to 12th & March 8th to 19th)
(April 5 to 19)
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| Pakistan treks for summer '09 |
 The Mountain Company is planning to run two treks in Pakistan this summer, in July Snow Lake Biafo & Hispar glacier trek followed by K2 & Gondogoro La in August.
Roland has visited Pakistan every summer for the last five years so knows these areas very well.
By carefully monitoring the situation through our contacts in Pakistan, at present we are confident in the security of the proposed itineraries. In fact, this is one of the best times to visit the country as the trekking routes are far quieter than usual!
We have recently been in touch with the other major UK based adventure travel operators and they are also planning to proceed with their Pakistan programs for the summer.
We have received enquiries for both of these treks and at this stage are confident they will run as planned. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining Roland on one of these treks.
We received positive feedback from our August '08 K2 & Gondogoro La group, please see some of their comments below:
"The trek of a lifetime! Really appreciated the well thought out itinerary and brilliant organisation. Just need to decide what to do next year! Thanks again." Tim Waggett, K2 & Gondogoro La August 2008
"Simply the best trek I've experienced, very professional and great fun" Ian Scott, K2 & Gondogoro La August 2008
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| Tailored made holidays |
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 As well as our group departures we provide a competitive and expert tailor made service.
Our first-hand knowledge and expertise of the six countries we specialise in- Nepal, India, Bhutan, Tibet, Pakistan and Tanzania- enables us to make suggestions and design itineraries to suit your wishes.
The fixed date group departures on our website might provide some ideas for a private itinerary or alternatively why don't you challenge us to come up with something completely new and original! |
| Our online bookstore |
The Mountain Company has set up an online bookstore where we have selected & reviewed our favourite books and maps. Click the link to view the store: The Mountain Company online bookstore
My favourite book from the last few months is "I'll Call You in Kathmandu: The Elizabeth Hawley Story" by Bernadette McDonald.
To purchase this book please click on the book image above.
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We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter, please forward to any friends who you think might be interested.
For any further information, help and advice, don't hesitate to contact us. If you live in the UK, Roland would be happy to arrange to meet you anywhere within reasonable travelling distance of London to help plan your trip.
I wish you a very happy New Year!
Roland Hunter
The Mountain Company
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| Western led treks for 2009 |
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