Travel
with Big Red
Annapurna Sanctuary - The Drawings (February 2011)
The drawings I made during my trip to the Annapurna Sanctuary are on show in my exhibition, 'Mountains of Inspiration' at The Gallery, Gateshead Library until Saturday 30 April. More...
Annapurna Sanctuary III To Poon Hill (17 - 27 February 2011)
Thurs 17 - Mon 21 Feb Chomrong to Ghorepani and Poon Hill
Next morning, mountains magnificent in the morning sunshine. Two drawings of Big M before breakfast and a watercolour after!
Mid afternoon we set off in lovely warm sunshine, traversing cultivated terraces and woodland paths high above the Khumnu Khola before descending steeply to the bridge at Ghurjung and then climbing a short way up to the British Ghurka Lodge at Siprung. More...
Annapurna Sanctuary II 'Chomrong to ABC and back!' (9 - 16 February 2011)
Before we left Chomrong, Lakpa agreed to be a climbing sherpa with the forthcoming expedition to Manaslu at the end of March - so we are in safe hands!!
Three days of steep ascents and descents, and endless steps. Frosty mornings and hot, sunny days. Then above Deorali the 'gates' of the Sanctuary come into sight with Gangapurna gleaming white and fluted against the clear blue sky. This is exciting. Can't wait to see the full panorama!
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Annapurna Sanctuary I (1 - 8 February 2011)
Wednesday 2 Feb Talking mountains and art in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu. Time for some mountain talk and arty chat with climber and mountain artist, Andy Parkin. Berghaus down vest keeps me toasty dining al fresco in the city!
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Wild weather on Pike o' Blisco, Langdale (7 - 9 January 2011)
Friday afternoon, we drove over to Rawhead Fell and Rock Climbing Club hut in Langdale. Surprised to see Thirlmere at least two thirds frozen over! Glad to reach the welcoming warmth of the fire and good company at Rawhead.
Saturday dawned cold and fine. Headed off to Pike o’ Blisco along the valley, the road a sheet of ice, confounding many a motorist attempting the Blea Tarn road. Retreat was the order of the day! We pressed on, keen to get some training in for our forthcoming trip to the Nepal Himalaya.
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Glacier walking! The Alps and Dolomites (August to September 2010)
We arrived in Chamonix in warm sunshine to find it overrun with runners competing in the annual Mt Blanc Challenge! So, up to Les Frasserand for some peace and quiet and a week of excellent drawing weather. More...
The Khumbu, Everest Region, Nepal (1 - 25 February 2010 )
Our long awaited return to the Himalaya, this time to the Khumbu area of Everest with our favourite Sherpa, Lakpa and our porters, Mingma and his younger brother Dorinjay.
From Kathmandu we flew in a tiny plane to Lukla, where we started walking. After a night at Monjo we made the steep climb to Namche, the Sherpa village at 3440m where we spent three nights acclimatising. This included a visit to Namche Gompa and a walk to Panorama Lodge above the village with its fine views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse and the Nuptse Wall.
From now on we felt as if we were really in the big mountains! We headed for Dingboche 4410m next, spending nights at Tengboche and Shomare on the way. More acclimatisation with a walk up to Nangkart Gompa. Next stop was Chukhung 4730m, my favourite place of all, surrounded by big mountains, all ice and snow and blue skies - and a freezing wind!
Returning to Dingboche, we then set off for Gorak Shep 5170m, for the viewpoint at Kala Pattar 5554m, staying at Lobuche for a night on the way. Thukla Col with its memorials to those lost on Everest was a sobering sight. Also from here a great view of Pumori, the surprise of this trip.
Lots of drawing done, often in freezing conditions. We felt as if we spent the whole time smiling! The pictures say it all! More...