Latest Blog Posts from My Annapurna Trek http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/ Articles at My Annapurna Trek en-us 30 Hours To Go : Nepal Here We Come http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/30-hours-to-go-nepal-here-we-come.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/30-hours-to-go-nepal-here-we-come.php Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:59:22 -0600 The nerves are starting to get a bit frayed here in Ajax as I get the final preparations done before the big trip to Nepal...Making sure that I have everything that I need, and making sure that my family has everything that they need to get on without me. (As I do all of the cooking, I have been busy stocking them up with ready made meals and all of the other non-perishables they may need.)

I am so glad that the flight is broken up into three legs: Toronto to Brussels, Brussels to Delhi, Delhi to Kathmandu...I have my Gravol to help me sleep, some reading material, hand sanitizer and wipes, my headphones and my travel pillow. I am good to go...

The waiting is finally over and we will soon be on our way...I am so excited I could burst.

]]> 10 Weeks To Go http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/10-weeks-to-go.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/10-weeks-to-go.php Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:11:03 -0600 It just hit me yesterday that there is less than ten weeks to go before we take off to Nepal and start our Annapurna Circuit Trek. I still have so much to do to prepare for the trip.

Here is what I still have to do

Vaccinations: I got my first Twinrix (Hep a/b) shot, but still need to complete all of my other shots...Ducerol, Twinrix, Rabies?, Tetnus, Thyphoid?...As an aside, I can't belive the price of getting all of the shots required for safe travel in Nepal.

Gear: I recently purchesed a -12 C down sleepingbag, Scarpa hiking boots, a down pullover and a fleece liner...still need to get some treking pants, polar fleece long underwear, wool socks and some mitts.

Fitness: I just started a new schedule to up the intensity of my exercise regime...Cardio everyday, Strenght training three times a week and at least a 10k hike once a week.

Travel Documents: I still have to get my transit visas for India.

 

]]> The Underwear Debate http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/the-underwear-debate.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/the-underwear-debate.php Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:52:10 -0600 I bought a pair of high tech underwear the other day to test it out for the trip. They are probably the most comfortable pair of underwear I have ever worn and they are as light as a feather. The Nike Pro - Core Men's Compression Shorts are made from 45% polyester/39% nylon/16% spandex jersey. They feature durable and comfortable four-way-stretch Dri-FIT fabric to move moisture away from your skin, helping you stay dry, cool and moving freely.

The only drawback is the price!!! Holy Shit! $30 for one pair of undies....I nearly choked. Still, I felt that I needed them, so I coughed up the money. After wearing them for two days, I can say that they really are woth it. They worked beautifully.

Since then, I have been on the hunt for a similar product, but one with a more realistic price tag.

So far I have found two different brands:

  1. UnderArmor Heatgear® Men's LX Series 6" Boxerjock® at $35
  2. DRI-WEAR® Performance Boxer with X-ODOR® at Mark's Work Warehouse for $20
    • These have X-Odor® carbon and micro silver particles to neutralize odour and the permanent moisture-wicking and anti-odor won't wash out. I think these have the potential to be the best bet...It's a long hike, and odor may be an issue.

I bought a pair of the DRI-WEAR® and will be testing them out over the next couple of days...I have a long hike planned for Sunday 07/26/2009 on the Seaton Trail in Pickering Ontario.

]]> Great Annapurna Blog Find http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/great-annapurna-blog-find.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/great-annapurna-blog-find.php Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:47:22 -0600 I was doing some research again on finding out details of the annapurna circuit trek, when I stumbled upon one of the best personal blogs about the trip. The information and personal insight are just what i needed. So many other sights don't have that pesonal touch that this guy does...And his was a recent trip in 2008. Most of the other blogs I've read so far have been older trips, at least 5 to 8 years old.

here is the link to his site http://www.cheddarcheesemedia.com/nepal/

]]> Annapurna Pack List: The First Pass http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/annapurna-pack-list-the-first-pass.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/annapurna-pack-list-the-first-pass.php Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:36:34 -0600 All this walking around (training) has got me thinking: "what do I need to bring with me on this trek?" After doing alot of searching online, I have come up with this rough draft list...I'm sure I'm forgetting things or need to rethink some others, but I have a few months yet to refine the pack list.

My pack right now is an Outbound 60L Nootka, but I may change it to a slightly smaller one..."lighter is always better" is the motto I will live by to get the weight down...I read someones blog that they got the weight down to 22lbs!? I think they must have multi purposed a lot of their gear.

Annapurna Pack List:

1 4-3 season Sleeping Bag
1 sleeping bag liner

2 longsleeved field shirts 
3 light weight t-shirts
2 zip leg pants
2 shorts
3-4 pair quick drying underwear synthetic (no cotton blends)
4-5 pair polypropylene liner socks
4-5 pairs thick, natural fiber walking socks
1 sun hat

1 wind shell/rain jacket
1 fleece sweater
1 fleece pants
1 fleece hat
1 mitts

hiking boots
gaitors?
trekking poles

2 1L stainless steal water bottle
water purification tabs
flavor crystals
alarm clock
sun glasses
sun block/lip balm
head lamp
multi tool
bio-soap/bio-shampoo/bio-laundry soap
toothbrush
toothpaste
towel
brush
handcream
hand sanitizer
sewing kit
flip flops
binoculars
6 extra passport size photos: 2 for visa on arrival, 2 for trek permits, and 2 additional photos to use in emergencies


first-aid:
duct tape/second skin
Aspirin/ibuprofen, etc
Cold-symptom relief tablets, antihistamine, cough drops
Sun screen and lip balm with sunscreen
Tweezers
Antibiotics
Prescription medicines in their original bottles
Immodium, Lomotil, or similar anti-diarrhea medicine

]]> Vacinations http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/vacinations.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/vacinations.php Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:21:58 -0600 I got my perscription for Hepititus A and B today. Need to find out if my health plan will cover the cost or if I will have to pay the whole price myself.

It turns outthere are a whole slew of shots that I am going to have to get for the trip...none of which are covered by our public health services. All the shots have to come out of pocket...ouch!

 

]]> My First Blog Entry http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/my-first-blog-entry.php http://www.myannapurnatrek.com/brock/my-first-blog-entry.php Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:54:19 -0600 Today I started thinking about the stuff I'm going to need to bring with me on this journey halfway around the world. Walking around a mountain range with only what I can carry on my back (we aren't using porters on this trek) seems daunting.

I have been doing research on hte web, trying to find the best list of the things I will need to bring, but it seems that everyone has a different opinion...no two lists are exactly the same. So I guess it comes down to what I think will work for me.

We have our tickets now, so it's all about the exercise for the next few months. It's deffinately time to get in shape for this 266 km journey.

The excitement is building!!! 

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