REACH SUMMIT

NEPAL : Back in Kathmandu 2008

Caroline Letrange — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:45:00 +0200

-------------------For beautiful treks, visit our website www.reachsummit.com-------------------Dear trekker friendsI am pleased to welcome you from august 2008 for your treks and ascents from Kathmandu in Nepal. I will be in Kathmandu to this date for the entire trekking season in this beautiful region of the Himalayas. Have a look at our itineraries on the site to find out our new routes in Asia and Africa.The Kilimanjaro season in still on till October 2008. Treks in Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan and India are starting from September 2008 with the return of the dry season. Treks to Everest and in the Khumbu and the Annapurna valley are planned for this season.The Tibet which had been closed for several months because of incidents in Lhasa is reopened. The routes on 8000m peaks (Cho Oyu, Everest and Shishapangma) are now accessible to our friends climbers who had reserved a climb on these routes. The beautiful trek to Mount Kailash, the sacred mountain, is also planned on the agenda. Good news !If you wish to trek, I will be pleased to welcome you in Kathmandu before you enjoy your holidays. Keep on posting your questions and comments on the blog. Look forward to seeing you soon.

KILI : Machame Route

Caroline Letrange — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:08:00 +0100

Expedition Dispatch on - Kilimandjaro, Machame Route - 2/01 to the 10/01/2008 Contact by SMS and telephoneGroup of 2 trekkers - FRThe Machame way is one of the most beautiful route of Kilimanjaro. Camping under tent and single ecosystem offers to the trekkeurs a decoration to cut the breath in this part of the valley of the Rift. 5 levels of vegetation make it possible to appreciate all the diversity of this wild territory. Discover all the voyages in Asia and Africa of REACH SUMMIT > www.reachsummit.comThe departure is carried out starting from Machame Gate. Engage carriers and first steps in the wet forest in the middle of a luxuriant vegetation and of a marked moisture. This first day of rise is easy, progressive and without much major difficulty. For our trekkeurs, Handbook and Sonia, beautiful day of walk where they could appreciate the first contacts with the teams and the landscapes of any beauty. Arrival in end-of-day with the camping with the feet of the slopes of Kilimandjaro. The following day, survey early and breakfast in full nature; a true pleasure. The hours of walk are regular to allow a better acclimatization. The wet drill compl�tement disappeared and they are landscapes of moors which extend progresssivement on the horizon. Sunny and hot time for Sonia and Manuel which benefit from this small dry season with a time proprice with the impressive sights on the glaciers of the top of Kilimandjaro.Then redescente towards the valley of Baranco after a passage to the accesses of Washed Tower, immense column of lava lost in the clouds and the fogs of altitude. The loss of altitude makes it possible the body to be acclimatized and the muscles to rest a little. For Sonia and Manuel walk is long but the crossed landscapes leave our climbing under the charm. The valley of Barranco is a ilot of vegetation of moors plunged in the fogs. The bushes, the lob�lies and let us s�ne�ons them cover this splendid valley that our trekkeurs reached after several hours of walk. Finally the camp appears in the hollow of the valley. Well deserved rest. It is the time of the acclimatization. Tomorrow a big step: the passage of the wall of Barranco. It is an old lava flow which bars the valley and which is climbed slowly along a path in zigzag along the volcanic rocks. This evening, rest and sleep before a departure early tomorrow morning for the valley of Karanga.-------------------------------------Keep on reading the dispatch on this page; thank you to come back to follow of the group for their Kilimanjaro climb � -------------------------------------Visit REACH SUMMIT website to discover our trips in Africa/Nepal/Tibet/Bhutan�> www.reachsummit.com

KILI : Arrival in Moshi

Caroline Letrange — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:41:00 +0100

Expedition Dispatch on - Kilimandjaro, Machame Route - 2/01 to the 10/01/2008 Contact by SMS and telephoneGroup of 2 trekkeurs - FRWe are happy to share with you the climbing of Kilimandjaro of two trekkers, Manuel and Sonia . Thanks to share this adventure with friends and family and to follow us via the REACH SUMMIT blog - Find all our trips on our website > www.reachsummit.comArrival carefully in this beautiful African region. In spite of the changes of flight, the voyage proceeded and arrived well at 20:45 at Kilimanjaro Airport to Tanzania where the situation is calm. Reception by the guide as a chief as well as the guide of forwarding. First friendly contacts and last formalities: the dream is on the move now ! Little drive before dining and finally resting in Moshi's hotel. Today, everything's started. Direction Machame Gate for the registration to National park authorities and the employment of porters. First impression of our travellers: The weather is very warm and quite humid ! On the way sun is shinning and the rain is non-existent. Very pleasant thus. The vegetation is splendid and the first hours of walk in the rain forest is a peerless pleasure for the eyes. Lunch Stop in the forest. Good rest and good meals. Its the ideal moment to take some time to admire the astonishing luxuriant vegetation and to relieve the legs on this first section. Then hike gently goes uphill on a pleasant and well traced track. Easy progression to alt. 2100m surrounded by the abundant vegetation of the rain forest. In the evening, arrival in camp 1 before sunset and diner under the tent at the feet of Kilimanjaro.Thanks for sharing this topo with family and friends. Please come back to follow the Kilimandjaro ascent, Machame Route. Thank you to all the REACH SUMMIT teams on the spot which enable us to update this regular topo. Do not hesitate to post your comments below.So longwww.reachsummit.com

KILI : Just left for Kilimanjaro !

Caroline Letrange — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:36:00 +0100

En Fran�ais >The departures for Kilimanjaro are linke to the instable situation that currently ocuurs in Kenya. However all REACH SUMMIT teams are on the spot 24/7 to handle with the situation and to accompany its customers. Enjoy beautiful trips with REACH SUMMIT > CLICK HERE

NEPAL : Just arrived in Kathmandu

Caroline Letrange — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 09:51:00 +0200

I am back to Kathmandou, the capital of Nepal for this springtide of trek which starts.Animated departure of London where the congestions of end of day lead you of a good hour time designed to arrive at the airport. The taxi-driver is nervous. I catch me up far too late. I gonna miss my flight. The tension is extreme. He drives like a fool and sware all the time. To release the tension, it asks me to sing "Frere Jacques" for him in French!! I try some awfull notes ... he prefers to put the radio on. Zigzag between the cars, bicycles, trucks... I close my eyes not to have the stomach twisted. HOpe we wont get caught by the police !! Fortunatly, we arrive on time at the airport after 1 hour and half of slalom in the London capital; I almost have the nausea ! At the checking counter, worries keep on anoying me. My huge "The North Face" bag is over weigh and my photographic gears are too large to come with me in the cabin... aaahhh, stop it ! It's now the rush for registration, I am urged to clear out my bag and my photographic gears to pack now desappear between the hands the airport agent with the anguish to see it arriving to Kathmandou in thousand pieces. Too much worries, but its security instructions, impossible to derogate from it.Qatar Airways Flight, perfect. I watched 2 or 3 films during the flight. Layover in Doha and some purchases of beauty products at unbeatable prices and way back to the checkin for the next flight to Kathmandu.The plane lands at Tribhuvan airport. its hot and wet ; such a contrast with London where it was raining cats and dogs. A friend is picking me up to drive me to the hotel in Thamel. Kathmandu has not change. Always this crasy traffic which makes my head spin, this pollution which grab you tears off the first days, this kindness of the Nepalese that makes to you more humble and this whirling life which never seems to stop.In the evening, i go straight to my favorite bar where I find there, without any notice, mountaineers friends who just come back from Cho Oyu with customers. The ascensts were a little bit difficult because the powerful winds in altitude and snow falls that cover the tracks. Painful. They already have at least 5/6 beers in the stomack for dinner but the atmosphere is very euphoric. We ordered some Everest beers to celebrate my arrival. Stories of mountains howled in the middle of techno music to tear off you tympanums. A good evening whatsoever. For this first evening with Nepal, i go to bed at 4 o'clock in the morning. It is kathmandu!!REACH SUMMIT and Caroline Letrange welcome you in Kathmandou for all your treks and ascents. All our trips are personalized and suits to your desires. Discover our routes on the site www.reachsummit.com

AFRIK : Vaccine & Yellow fever

Caroline Letrange — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:08:00 +0200

When travelling in countries known as "exotic", it is indeed exotic except when you did not take the precautions as regards prevention of the local diseases.Africa (and thus Tanzania) are particularly exposed with certain diseases and infections of which it is necessary to be secured before leaving on a trip : - Yellow fever : obligatory at first, the yellow fever is now recommended. This vaccine covers you for a 10 years period from the10th day after vaccination ; thus do not have your inoculation the day of the departure but take a RDV a few days before. - Paludism or Malaria : It is a serious disease which can sometimes be fatal and which prevails in endemic tropical areas such as Tanzania. No vaccine exist yet. This disease is transmitted by the bit of a female mosquito, which introduces a small microorganism into blood and contaminates you.Result: a general state which is degraded and strong fevers. However you can protect itself from the Malaria thanks to the repellent sprays. Some are very powerful. You can buy some in pharmacy shops : one specific for the skin and a second exclusively reserved to clothing. The last one has to be sprayed on your day clothing as well as on sheets and mosquito nets. At the beginning, it awfully stinks but the smell disapears within few minutes... but for the mosquito, it is the olfactif hell and it surely will beat wing elsewhere!It is also recommended to cover arms and legs as before sunset ; it is just before night, that mosquitos are the most virulent because the weather gets cooler. In addition antimalaria pills is highly recommended. Either taken every week or daily, the tablets are very effective to prevent any appearance of Malaria symptoms.For travellers who come to Tanzania to climb Kilimandjaro, it is wise to ask your doctor the better tablets so that you wont suffer from undesirable effects (giddinesses, nauseas...) ; but that depends on your physical condition. Obtain advice from your doctor. Over the rain forest, mosquitos will be rare, thus the danger is temporarily out of reach! - Hepatitis A: it is a viral desease which primarily affects the liver and creates huge tiredness, then you will quickly turn from a healthy baby face to a wired yellow look ! This disease, which can also be fatal, is caused by infected food or water ingestion. It is thus recomanded to be vaccinated for a 10 years protection after a first recall at the end of a 6 months time Prefer non-opened water bottles, cooked vegetables and the fruits with a skin (bananas, oranges, clementines...), no ice in your glass and no icecream to pleasure your papilla... do like me, have a beer !! You wish to visit Tanzania? Now we accept booking on Kilimandjaro for 2007 and January/february/March 2008We recommand to create your own group, choose your dates and your route. All our expeditions are FULL SERVICE tripsFor large group (15 pers and +) Caroline Letrange accompanies you !!Please, discover all our trips here >

PARIS : Beautiful A380 !

Caroline Letrange — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:15:00 +0200

Qatar Airways partner in Paris for plane live-shows : the event was as usual very impressive with the A380 flight witch was very impressive ! This exhibition exists since 1908 and always attracts huge number of people. Even if it was quite cloudy and rainy, we appreciated a beautiful demonstration.The asthonishing stunt was the A380 take-off of ; not a noise, impression of ease in the air and a cut the breath large wings.This giant of the airs can transport from 555 to 845 passengers on a double deck and with its 73 meters of length, 79,80 meters of scale and 24,10 meters height.Qatar has bought five A380; let us hope that soon, REACHSUMMIT customers could be likely to getting on this beautiful aircraft. Remind of the Qatar advantages for REACHSUMMIT clients ? See on this page...

WEB : They talk about us :)

Caroline Letrange — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:45:00 +0200

When customers go on trek and come back with a beautiful experience thanks to Caroline Letrange, they tell about it ... and they do well ! Here is a very beautiful website, very informative that will delight all the Kilimanjaro and Africa lovers. Nothing's left : preparation, equipment, the ascension and of course... beautiful photos ! Have pleasure ... and thank you St�phanie !! And keep on visiting us !www.reachsummit.com

NEPAL : back from Everest

Caroline Letrange — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:30:00 +0200

The Everest, mythical mountain which attracts hundreds of climbers every year. This year coming back of a French mountaineer who attempt the summit from the Southern route.Expedition At the end of May 2007, after approximately 2 months of trek, acclimatization and finally climb, come back of a french climber from Everest by the Southern route ... she wazs happy, even if the top were not acheived she reached 8480m ! Congratulations! More news soon.Book now for Everest Ascent,Full Service for 2008 and 2009, www.reachsummmit.com What about Everest: Located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, Everest (also named Qomolangma */Sagarmatha/Chomolungma - * Q decides CH) is the highest mountain of the world with its 8850m of altitude. It is in 1865 that the Everest takes its current name in reference to the general controller of the India, Sir Everest. In 1852 that an Indien mathematician determined the height of the Everest and is taken appellaton of "Peak XV". 2 principal routes to reach the top: - the Northern route, through Tibet in the Rongbuk Valley - the Southern route, through Nepal in the Khumbu Valley Through this route you cross among the most beautiful landscapes of Nepal while passing by the famous capital of Sherpa, Namche Bazaar. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the top in 1953 by this route. To get to base camp, 2 main routes can be taken. The first in landing in the small village of Lukla by plane or in trekking from Jiri for a very beautiful acclimatization trek.The acclimatization is long but necessary to give to the body time to be accustomed to altitude and lack of oxygen. Either routes have very different landscapes; Nepal profits from monsoon and thus from greener landscapes. Tibet located on the North of the Himalaya receives only very few rains, this the landscapes are more arid and exposed to winds... but keep a wild charm !To book for a trek ? www.reachsummit.com

AFRIK: Chagga Ethnie

Caroline Letrange — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:25:00 +0200

Small visit through the area of Kilimandjaro.Summit of Kilimandjaro with fallen the day...In this area of the North of the country joined at the border with Kenya, it is the ethnos group of Chagga which prevails. They represent less than 2% of the total population but are prevailing here. They live resources resulting from Kilimandjaro: coffee, bannaneraies, corn... The volcano is fore-mentioned Kibo and refers to its snow-covered top. Mawenzi and the plain of Shira are the 2 other geological formations which frame this area. Their traditional habitat takes the shape of a round, separate hut into 2: a part for the hearth and another for the bed and surmounted of a stage for storage of the food products. Contrary to Masais, the hutes are made out of dried grasses and not out of ground. With the activity of the hearth and the heat which emerges some, the grasses agglomerate enters and form excellent insulating.And at the end of day, the up to date handing-over of the blog directly in the car thanks to the TOUGHBOOK * : I tankard a Wifi connection and I update on line with texts and photographs! Fastoche...* Panasonic, material sponsor with the TOUGHBOOKDiscover with REACHSUMMIT the tribes Massai and Chagga in a trek ecotouristic in the heart of the life of the Masaai Tribes