Hi Peter,
The kayaking boys were shocked that you would pass up 3 days kayaking on a nepal river for a pretty face. I hope she was worth it
I do plan to go back next year and do the 3 Passes and a more remote trip with home stay to get away from the masses. Does anyone have any tips and the required guide etc suggestions for this? I am not sure I want to go climbing as climbing as 6000 m seems like such hard work. Maybe if I was very acclimatised after 4 weeks in nepal.
I did not see anyone with 5 fingers so it was great you found them fine for nepal. I think I would take gortex waterproof socks for my light runners if I went closer to winter for any deep snow walking. Then again maybe plastic bags would do the trick or just to wait for the snow to melt over the passes.
I also found kayaking in Nepal a great change from walking every day. I found I still had all the skills from my Uni days to do grade 4 rapids, although my roll needs a bit of practice so it is 100% reliable. The book 'White Water Nepal' By Knowles and Clarkson King is a very good guide for the rivers in Nepal.
You can hire a personal kayaking guide for about $25 a day and do any river you wish. Local buses go most places and do not charge you for your kayak on the roof. Gear costs about $25 if you do not bring a boat. Most airlines do not charge you for your kayak if you are under the weight limit. Some kayakers book in the kayak at the check in then add weight to the kayak when they drop it off at the oversize counter.
Also you can join a rafting trip and go kayaking with the rescue kayak and camping support. However, this does not allow you to play in the rapids much as you need to keep up with the raft and rescue kayak. One of the guides had a short play boat and was doing forward loops in flat water and stoppers. I need a boat like this.
Just another $1000.