This posting is a mainly pictorial record of a two month journey to Nepal in the autumn of 1998. The first month i was on a commercial expedition to the Everest region to climb two well-known trekking peaks of Mera and Island , linking them via challenging Amphu Labsta pass. We flew from Kathmandu into the small but spectacular mountain airport of Lukla .

• Mera Peak  This mountain rises to the south of Everest between the Hinku and Hongu valleys, both these valleys are uninhabited.  By its standard route from the Mera La it is straight forward but strenuous trek. The view from the top is wide-ranging and spectacular.
• The Amphu Labtsa pass  After climbing Mera Peak we descended to the Hongu valley and trekked to the head of the valley, a true mountain wilderness surrounded by huge peaks, the only way out being over high passes which require some mountaineering knowledge.
  
• Island Peak  The name was given by the explorer and mountaineer Eric Shipton because it is almost totally surrounded by glaciers, the Nepali name is Imjatste. It was climbed in 1953 in preparation for the first ascent of Everest, very popular now due to its location and great views from the top.

After this i was on my own (but met various people ) and used the network of tea houses and lodges for cheap food and accommodation. I joined the Everest trail initially and trekked up to the Everest base camp area, then it was over to the Gokyo valley via the Cho La pass and explored the head of the valley and Cho Oyo base camp area. rejoining the Everest Tail again i headed down to Tenboche ( to see the monastery /Gompa), Namche Bazaar (the Sherpa capitol) and then down to Lukla from where i planned to fly back to Kathmandu. Due to a backlog of flights however i trekked out to the road head at Jiri instead, this was a pleasant but very hilly five-day trek followed by a nine-hour rickety bus ride to Kathmandu. i rounded the trip off with a few days exploring Katmandu, then an exciting 2 day rafting trip on the Bhote Kosi river and a chilled out 5 day safari to the Chitwan National park.