Hi, Sorry been busy adjusting back into normal life. Here are a few pictures from the whole trip. Thanks Steve
Monday, 4 May 2009
Friday, 24 April 2009
Home
Hi, Just a quick one to say I have made it home safe and sound. Over the weekend I will write more and upload pictures. Cheers Steve
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Nearly the End - Parahawking to finish!!
Hi,
I am now back in Kathmandu and then I will be flying home on Thursday 23rd April. The Asian Vulture Conservation work that I was involved with has come to an end. Good News! we managed to achieve the target number of vulture chicks on the very last day of catching. Everyone is very pleased and on a number of occasion we never thought we would hit the target but everyone pulled together and our goal was eventually reached. It was not easy but this has been the most rewarding and satisfying thing I have ever been apart of. Team Vulture are now resting but very pleased how everything has gone. This is just the beginning of the work for conserving the Asian Vultures and much care and attention will be required to look after these birds for the future.
So how do you end a project like this on an even higher note?? Today I was lucky enough to be taken out Paragliding, but not just Paragliding but Parahawking. This involves the unique and breathtaking chance to fly with a Egyptian Vulture (Bob) and watch him glide through the air and then feed him from my hand. This was the best experience I have ever had and a fitting end to this unbelievable trip. Anyone interested in finding out more about Parahawking in Pohkara then contact Scott at : http://www.parahawking.com/
Thanks Again Scott
!!
I am now back in Kathmandu and then I will be flying home on Thursday 23rd April. The Asian Vulture Conservation work that I was involved with has come to an end. Good News! we managed to achieve the target number of vulture chicks on the very last day of catching. Everyone is very pleased and on a number of occasion we never thought we would hit the target but everyone pulled together and our goal was eventually reached. It was not easy but this has been the most rewarding and satisfying thing I have ever been apart of. Team Vulture are now resting but very pleased how everything has gone. This is just the beginning of the work for conserving the Asian Vultures and much care and attention will be required to look after these birds for the future.
So how do you end a project like this on an even higher note?? Today I was lucky enough to be taken out Paragliding, but not just Paragliding but Parahawking. This involves the unique and breathtaking chance to fly with a Egyptian Vulture (Bob) and watch him glide through the air and then feed him from my hand. This was the best experience I have ever had and a fitting end to this unbelievable trip. Anyone interested in finding out more about Parahawking in Pohkara then contact Scott at : http://www.parahawking.com/
Thanks Again Scott
!!
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Even more Pictures from the last few weeks
hi,
A few more pictures from the last few weeks and last year, again these are from Richard Cuthbert Collection.
They are not in any particular order:
1) Map of Nepal
2) Machhapuchre (on the right) in the morning from Pokhara
3) Rampur - trekking into different nest sites
4) Western Sarai - a large crowd gather
5) Rampour - trekking to a nest but no chick was present
6) Westerm Sarai - day one
7,8) Rampur - views whilst trekking to nests
9) Oriental White Back Vulture (2008)
10) Trekking to a nest in Pokhara - we did get many strange looks on the trip
-of-Nepal-314.jpg)
A few more pictures from the last few weeks and last year, again these are from Richard Cuthbert Collection.
They are not in any particular order:
1) Map of Nepal
2) Machhapuchre (on the right) in the morning from Pokhara
3) Rampur - trekking into different nest sites
4) Western Sarai - a large crowd gather
5) Rampour - trekking to a nest but no chick was present
6) Westerm Sarai - day one
7,8) Rampur - views whilst trekking to nests
9) Oriental White Back Vulture (2008)
10) Trekking to a nest in Pokhara - we did get many strange looks on the trip
-of-Nepal-314.jpg)
More Pictures - The Problem
Hi,
Here are a few more pictures from this year and last year from Richard Cuthbert collection. This is a overview to the problem.
1) The Asian Vulture Numbers have decreased by more than 97% since the 1990s and still decreasing!
2) The Problem- Diclofenac Sodium - Used as a anti-inflammatory drug for live stock and fatal if consumed by Vultures (very small % contamination to be fatal)
3) Part of the cure - Vulture Restaurant where wild vultures are feed SAFE meat twice a week.
4) Another part of the cure - Captive breeding where Asian Vultures will breed and eventually be reintroduced back into the wild in areas that are free from Diclofenac. This may be many years partly due to the fact that Vultures do not reproduce till around 5 years old and also the fact that removing this drug from use in Asian is difficult even thou there are different safe forms of anti-inflammatory drugs available.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Pictures from the last few weeks
hi,
I have just had a three course breakfast and my feet are recovering from the 68km trek to ABC. I am resting today and thought I would take the time to upload some pictures from the last few weeks. These pictures were taken by Richard Cuthbert and are not in date order (I hope you do not mind me publishing these images). I have many picture of my own that I cannot upload at the moment. Between me, Richard and Tulsi we have thousands of images and video. When I get back to the UK I will look into editing them and maybe do a slide show!
OK here we go (again click on image for full size but these have been compressed):
1) Small Oriental White Back Vulture chick high in Sal Tree in Western Tarai (6-8 Weeks old)
2) Many very interesting children
3) Day one in Rampur (secret tree) -I think KapokTree
4,5,6) Last day further West of Dhangadhi coming close to the end of the work - Saj Tree (Far West Nepal)
7,8) Last day in Rampur, you can just see me in Picture 7 - Kapok Tree
9) On the road leaving from Rampur heading south
10) Me after 3 hard great days of trekking and tree climbing in Rampur (Palpa Area) Great Photo!
11) Team Vulture L to R Anand, Me, Tulsi, Ram, Richard at the end in Dhangadhi
12) Large Oriental White Back Vulture Chick (12-14 weeks old) - Western Tarai
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Back in Pokhara after ABC
Hi,
I am back in Pokhara after a couples of days in the high mountains. Things have been great and my part in the Vulture Conservation Work are almost at an end. Things could not have gone better with the project and the last four weeks have been a fantastic blurr. I have had a few free days so as I am in Pokhara I decided to get up high into the Annapurna Himal mountain range. I decided on tackling the Annapurna Sanctuary to then continue further onto Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). I started of the trek in a little rush as short of time. As per usual and being a British Mountaineer I pack far to much kit and far too much food and water (little did I know that there would be Tea houses every half an hour on the lower part of the trek and every Hour higher up). I left Monday lunch time and started from Phedi (which when I looked at the map did not fancy as you gained plenty of height but then lose it soon after, i much preferred the over route from Naya Pul but everyone I spoke to said this was the way it was done). Anyway the first day went well and was good to be moving through the steep sided valleys through miles of rhododendrons. After a good started and it was the end of the day I booked into the Maya Lodge in Landrung with again very good Daal Bhaat for tea. Waking early great views of Annapurna South triggered a switch in me and I was soon trekking up the valley to cover a large amount of ground to arrive late in the day at the Himalaya Lodge (2,900 metres) Again Daal Baat and an early night. Waking at 5am and starting the day with a bowl of Muesli with Iodine treated water for breakfast was probably not the tastiest breakfast but was important fuel to take me up to Annapurna Base Camp. Leaving early in the morning was very special and the views of the mountains were breathtaking. After a few hours of trekking up the valley to break through the Sanctuary and onto the much worn snow covered path lead me to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130metres). I feel that no words or even pictures can give a true representation to the scale of these mountains. I spent and hour at the Base Camp and drank two big cups of milk tea starring at this unbelievable crown on mountains. I then trekked back over two days back Pokhara via the Naya Pul finish which would have been easier as you dont lose and gain plenty of height. I have covered much ground in the last few days so on reaching Pokhara I have just treated myself to a 3 course meal and may consider going back for seconds later on tonight. A well earned rest day tomorrow and let my feet recover! Cheers Steve
I am back in Pokhara after a couples of days in the high mountains. Things have been great and my part in the Vulture Conservation Work are almost at an end. Things could not have gone better with the project and the last four weeks have been a fantastic blurr. I have had a few free days so as I am in Pokhara I decided to get up high into the Annapurna Himal mountain range. I decided on tackling the Annapurna Sanctuary to then continue further onto Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). I started of the trek in a little rush as short of time. As per usual and being a British Mountaineer I pack far to much kit and far too much food and water (little did I know that there would be Tea houses every half an hour on the lower part of the trek and every Hour higher up). I left Monday lunch time and started from Phedi (which when I looked at the map did not fancy as you gained plenty of height but then lose it soon after, i much preferred the over route from Naya Pul but everyone I spoke to said this was the way it was done). Anyway the first day went well and was good to be moving through the steep sided valleys through miles of rhododendrons. After a good started and it was the end of the day I booked into the Maya Lodge in Landrung with again very good Daal Bhaat for tea. Waking early great views of Annapurna South triggered a switch in me and I was soon trekking up the valley to cover a large amount of ground to arrive late in the day at the Himalaya Lodge (2,900 metres) Again Daal Baat and an early night. Waking at 5am and starting the day with a bowl of Muesli with Iodine treated water for breakfast was probably not the tastiest breakfast but was important fuel to take me up to Annapurna Base Camp. Leaving early in the morning was very special and the views of the mountains were breathtaking. After a few hours of trekking up the valley to break through the Sanctuary and onto the much worn snow covered path lead me to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130metres). I feel that no words or even pictures can give a true representation to the scale of these mountains. I spent and hour at the Base Camp and drank two big cups of milk tea starring at this unbelievable crown on mountains. I then trekked back over two days back Pokhara via the Naya Pul finish which would have been easier as you dont lose and gain plenty of height. I have covered much ground in the last few days so on reaching Pokhara I have just treated myself to a 3 course meal and may consider going back for seconds later on tonight. A well earned rest day tomorrow and let my feet recover! Cheers Steve
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