Nepal 3: The Humla Karnali

Following a week of delays, cancellations and AWOL pilots we finally flew from Surket to Simikot high above the Humla Karnali. To all of us except John the landing felt dangerous and short, but our Alaskan bush pilot assured us it was easy.

After being ripped off at the check-in for excess baggage, the helicopter which we’d paid for miraculously turned into a chartered plane after we'd handed over the money. Porters to follow us down the river were out of the question, we could only afford their help down the put-on.

Once down to the river all which was left to pay was the entrance fee - a full day of portaging in blizzard conditions. Especially hard when we decided our 'self contained group' didn't need to follow the advice of the guide book and portaged on the opposite side to that suggested.

The following morning the sun slowly broke through the mountain mist and we had 8 days of great paddling ahead of us:

Packing up again, ready for our flight, but would we be going this time? (Photo: Max)

Whats the most kit you've ever worn when trying to board a flight. How about 2 IR suits, 1 fleece, 1 dry suit, 1 deck, 1 BA, 1 pair of trousers, 1 throwline, a 30 year old down jacket, a big red helmet, 1 peli case, a pair of river shoes, dark sunglasses, a water bottle (full) and one hell of a mo! (Photo: Dan)

Great views on the flight to Simikot (Photo: Dan)

Unloading on the airstrip at Simikot (Photo: Max)

Simikot - capital of the Humla region (Photo: Dan)

We were so glad we didn't have to carry the boats down the the river ourselves (Photo: Max)

It got pretty tough for the porters at times (Photo: Max)

Dave on the first rapid at the put-on (Photo: Max)

Tarp Time! (Photo: Max)

A view on the big portage before the weather got bad (Photo: Dan)

Salvation in the storm came from this freindly couple and their overcrowded goat shed/spare bedroom. (Photo: Dan)

Simon on the first gorge after the portage (Photo: Max)

Simon in the first Gorge (Photo: Dan)

Danny cranking the boof in the first gorge. (Photo: Max)

Rice and spicy tuna again! (Photo: Max)

What a great photo from Max Kniewasser, taken at sunset on the third day (Photo: Max)

Danny at bottom of one of the big landslide rapids (Photo: Max)

John dropping in on the promise that it will flush - it did. (Photo: Max)

Quality big water rapids on the last day of the Humla (Photos: Max)

Si avoiding being pulled into the 'mess' in the middle of the river (Photo: Max)

Dawn on the Karnali (Photo: Max)

John running Jailhouse Rock on the Karnali (Photo: Max)

Relaxing on the Karnali (Photo: Max)

No more flat water - the team at the take out (Photo: Local Nepali Man)

The judges found it hard to decide if Simon or John won the 'Mo of the Month' award (b. (Photo: Max)