Nepal cabinet meeting on Mt Everest

On November 8, 2009 By Rick McIn government, hiking1 Comment

November 11th.

How are they going to get up there?

FLY.

Dumb, dumb idea. This will never work.

The meeting will be held later this month, just ahead of December’s Copenhagen climate change summit, at a base camp on the world’s highest mountain.

The Himalayan glaciers – known as the world’s third ice-cap – feed some of the region’s greatest rivers, including the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Brahmaputra. They also irrigate farmland in Tibet, Nepal, Bangladesh and India. …

Nepal’s ministers will now follow the lead of ministers in the Maldives who staged a cabinet meeting under water to highlight the risk of the tropical islands being submerged by rising sea levels. They will meet later this month at a base camp at 5,300 metres where mountaineers begin their final ascent of Everest. …

Nepal to hold cabinet meeting on Mount Everest

north_face_mt_everest

Update: Nepali cabinet meeting at base camp of Mt. Qomolangma uncertain

♫ … I think I’m going to Kathmandu … ♫

On November 3, 2009November 20, 2019 By Rick McIn hiking, music, travel1 Comment

I think I’m going to Katmandu,
That’s really, really where I’m going to.
If i ever get out of here,
That’s what I’m gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-Katmandu …

Bob Seeger – lyrics

People often ask me, “What’s your favourite travel destination?”

Usually I reply, Nepal. As a hiker Nepal is nirvana. And their blend of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Tourism makes a rich Chai.

Downside?

Perhaps 60hrs in transit. IF I’m lucky.

climbed a volcano in Maui

On November 2, 2009 By Rick McIn hiking4 Comments

For my birthday in 2004 I climbed a volcano.

This one’s not quite as big.

Rick off-line …

On October 31, 2009November 2, 2009 By Rick McIn hikingLeave a comment

I’ll be a couple of days hiking Haleakala National Park, Maui.

Best Island in the World – Maui

On October 20, 2009 By Rick McIn hiking, product endorsements, travel4 Comments

For the 15th time in 22 years, Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards poll has chosen Maui as the “Best Island in the World.”

But I’ll be the judge of that … hiking Maui for the next 2wks.

I flew out of Vancouver, now my favourite airport in Canada. The new SkyTrain rail service, the Canada Line, whisks you directly downtown, connecting to harbour ferries.

Or, with one bus connection. to the Vancouver Island ferries at Tsawwassen. Superbly convenient!

The line opened August 17, 2009, fifteen weeks ahead of schedule. One of the rare things the B.C. government ever got right. Kudos.

Thanks Les and Tam for the “buddy pass” airline ticket on WestJet, my favourite airline.

my 6-day hike in Spain

On October 12, 2009October 8, 2009 By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

The second longest trek of my summer in Europe, the Picos de Europa Circuit.

An unforgettable (91.5km) route covering the … most extaordinary limestone landscapes – river gorges, alpine lakes, depressions, dense beech woods, narrow canals, cliff hanging trails and peaks with breathtaking views …

… click through to my hiking blog to see the trip report and photos

cheap flights to Iceland

On September 21, 2009 By Rick McIn hiking, product complaints, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

This is the first seat sale I’ve seen for Iceland since I started tracking those flights months ago. I guess the “high season” finally ends October 1st.

To Reykjavík from: Berlin, Copenhagen, London Gatwick, London Stansted and Warsaw.

Prices from: €69, £55, … one-way including taxes and fees.

When to buy: Open for sale from 14 CET (that’s 1pm UK time) until midnight tonight, Monday 21 September.

When to fly: From 1 October to 10 December 2009.

That’s with Iceland Express, the supposedly low cost airline.

I like Iceland Express better than full service Iceland Air, a company that treated me, a potential customer, very badly over the past few months.

hiking / biking Banded Peak, Alberta

On September 20, 2009September 25, 2009 By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, photos1 Comment

Excellent challenge this past Saturday.

It’s become a tradition with the families of some of my hiking buddies to take their sons on this adventure as something of a rite of passage to manhood.

On Sept. 19th, 2009 we took three 13-yr-olds. They had to get to the top … or die trying. …