Nepal was a wonderful trip in every respect. The trek to Base Camp was one of the hardest and most fun things I have done. I had to dig deep into my physical and mental reserves, as we completed about 60 km with more than 12,000 feet of climbing over a week, to get to a final altitude of 17,600 feet!
Before the trek, I birded in the Kathmandu Valley with outstanding local guide Tek Magar, who knows every bird in the region by it's call. He made sure I got to see the only Nepal endemic, the Spiny Babbler, along with a host of local specialties. He also helped me ID birds I saw (and heard) later on the hike, which allowed me to come up with an accurate count for Nepal.
The trip yielded over a hundred species, with 80 lifers! Also seen were mammals including the Tahr, Pika, Golden Jackal, and the Muntjac (barking deer); images of the last 2 are on the "Other Animals" page.
Before the trek, I birded in the Kathmandu Valley with outstanding local guide Tek Magar, who knows every bird in the region by it's call. He made sure I got to see the only Nepal endemic, the Spiny Babbler, along with a host of local specialties. He also helped me ID birds I saw (and heard) later on the hike, which allowed me to come up with an accurate count for Nepal.
The trip yielded over a hundred species, with 80 lifers! Also seen were mammals including the Tahr, Pika, Golden Jackal, and the Muntjac (barking deer); images of the last 2 are on the "Other Animals" page.
