DATES

For 2010 we are offering some special trips along with our standard schedule trips. We are offering a junior trip to India, a student special event in Nepal and some amazing bespoke days.
email us for more details.

We are updating the website please check our dates below.

DATES FOR 2010

JAN
1 New Year Creek Special Guided River Day - Wales
2 New Year Creek Special Guided River Day - Wales
3 New Year Creek Special Guided River Day - Wales
9 Guided River Day - Wales
10 Guided River Day -Wales
16 Guided River Day -Wales
24 Guided River Day - Wales
30Guided River Day -Wales

FEB
13 Annapurna Trek leaves –Moderate- (contact office for details)-Nepal
Bespoke river days in Scotland/Wales

MAR
6 Everest Base Camp (Island Peak bolt on) -Nepal
13 (16days) Self Support - Nepal
27 Mar- Student Special Sun Kosi (No Maximum) - Nepal contact office for details

APR
3 (16 day) Self Support - Nepal
17 Sun Kosi - Nepal

MAY
Bespoke Nepal Trips / UK Guided River Trips

JUN
Bespoke Alps Trips - France, Austria, Slovinia.
Bespoke Thailand Trips

JUL
Bespoke Alps Trips - France, Austria, Slovinia.

AUG
7 Zanskar – Raft and Kayak – India.
14 Zanskar - Kayak (Burners only) India
21 Zanskar– Raft and Kayak – India
Bespoke-Zanskar-India

SEP ( Bespoke only)
Lower Stikine-touring section- Canada.
Tatenshinshi Kayak – Alaska

OCT
2 Sun Kosi-Nepal
16 Everest Base Camp-Nepal
23 (16 day) Self Support-Nepal
23 Tamur (Bespoke)-Nepal

NOV
13 Tamur -Nepal
27 Bramhaputra-India

DEC
Creek trips in UK (Bespoke)

Discount Books

Until 1st Jan 2010 all 'Riding The Tears of Everest' books now signed and posted for £6 each.

This is the only account of Kayaking down both the rivers that from from Everest. Set in Nepal this is a story not just about kayaking but also about love, family and commitment.

checkout www.purelandexpeditions.com or email info@purelandexpeditions.com to get your book.

Salto Evo.

So hear it is the honest value of a review of the Salto Evolution.

But before, a bit of back history.

On Expeditions around the globe when the kayak splits or the outfitting breaks, you are in a dangerous situation. Eskimo produce strong kayaks, with solid and simple internal outfitting so the problems caused by broken boats and damaged outfitting become less important. Eskimo boats are SAFE, without centre pillar foam and ratchets easy of exit and entry is guaranteed.

Any kayaker that has used an Eskimo boat will tell you they are bomb proof, and many of the boats made 20 years ago are still getting used!

I have been looking at Eskimo boats for some time, as an expedition kayaker I need a kayak that is able to carry gear, light to fly with and works well on the water. I have used Diablos, Kendos, Quadros, Topos and classic Saltos in the past. I am not assisted by ESKIMO but use the kayaks out of choice.

At first I wasnt impressed with the boat, it felt far too short and back end light for serious creeking on the steeps. I also commented that I doubted it would work well in big water as it seemed to look slow.

I wasnt 'into' the boat upon first paddling it, but this all changed when I took the boat onto my local run and got a true feel for the boat.

The boat appears to be very stable on edge and the hull performs well, it has all the positive grab of a play boat when on the water although its release edges offer none of the 'trip' you find on freestyle kayak.

The small nature of the boat was a major concern for me and I thought it would become 'catchy' on the backend but this was not further from the truth. Whilst the boat drives well in a neutral paddling position it also works well when paddled on the back quarters, slalom style, without the ability to 'dip turn'.

When paddled using the back edges of the boat it became a speed cruiser and made tight turns without pause. It accelerated well up eddy lines and offered a nice smooth transition when on a charging arc.

It boofed in a positive manner and required no speed to lift the nose and let it fly. When dropping into holes the bow lifts well and is easy to control. These situations favour a smaller kayak, and at 248 cm the Salto Evo is no long river cruiser.

This boat will serve many peoples needs well, although due to the size its performance may be stilted when loaded with bad positioned gear for overnight camps. If you needed just one boat for a trip this may just be it. All boats are a a balance between balance, safety, performance, big water style, creek bashing and comfort. This Salto may just fit your ideas.

Memories.

This time 12 months ago a strange thing happened...

It had been just another day in Wales, some of my boating buddies had gone to Nepal then Laos on a mission. Those that we left in Wales were either working or suffering from major injuries. It had rained over the night and the last few days had been wet but with no one to paddle with I figured a scounting mission would be in order.

Taking our dog (Cai) I set off to walk down the side of the secret slabs. These slabs had been scouted and for all of living memory hypothetically run. I had no desire to kayak today. It was simply a day of ‘looking’.

As Cai and I walked along the bank I could just see a line on the river right. Cai had a quick walk that day as after changing into full armour I placed Cai in my van and dragged my boat to the lip. Alone in this wind swept gully a choice on the side of caution saw me setting a seal launch after the first rock dump.

It was fast from the off, slide to the right-bounce off the wall-boof left then cut right-wall slide middle gutter, final boof, eddy right. A long climb back to the road a boat stashed in the trees and a walk to the van.

No this was neither sensible or withou caution but I made the line, happy and content. I few days later I ventured up the Cwm Llan, it was a week of putting stress markes in the hull of my boat! Well Cai doesnt have the ability to take images, so the text here will have to do.

Well the rain is upon us one again and I am looking into further shallow landings

FLYING FISH

The blue sky littered with white clouds reflect in the calm of fewa lake, Nepal. Above high on a hill away from the carpet of paddy fields and the scattering of houses is where we find ourselves. David and Babu dress in high altitude clothing and beckon us toward their harnesses. A tandem paraglide flight onto the ‘Horizon of Annapurna’ and the descent to the Marsyandi river is our aim.

We were set to push the limits of the guidebook. Kayaks were sent to Khude and we were going to paraglide to the Maryland river then trek up into the hills of Annapurna and the journey from Synge. A tribute to the adventures of AJ.

“Run run run” Babau called as he pushed me forward, within an instant we were adrift on a thermal cushion high above the ground. “Body left, left, left, left” we arced, we swirled. Higher and higher we circled. The paraglide grasping at thermals and forcing spins both fore and aft.
Calm and still we sat searching the sky for the thermal uplift that would take us up and over the ridge and deep into the heart of the Annapurna. As we search the web of thin thermal lines we were crowded by inversions and began a descent to earth. The thermals had not been kind and we would have to make another attempt after landing. Twice more we set off on our flight and twice more mother nature denied us the challenge. Time was pushing against us as our boats and gear sat in Khude. It was time to change plan. To head into the hills in a micro van and jeep. Late at night we were still walking up the trail and the place we hoped our kayaks would be.

As the shadows disappeared and night fell. As candles and oil lamps guided us we walked forever onward.

The night spent in a lodge and our kayaks collected we set off again. Crowded into a jeep we made it all the way to Syange before breakfast. Soon into the cool waters we were off into tow backs and boofs, Sticky holes littered the river but we paddled fast and clean. Each one of us taking it in turns to charge ahead to read and run. Within a matter of hours we were back in Khude and the lodge a time for food and sleep.

Following the night of rest we were once again river living and head down paddling through the guidebook.. In just under an hour we had paddled the section from Khude to the dam and after paddling across the lake waited. The road of dirt was our only way out and we just sat….a bus WOULD be our retreat back to Pokhara.

www.purelandexpeditions.com
For info on trips in Nepal including bespoke paraglide and kayak options email bookings@purelandexpeditions.com

Om Shanti

Well guys and girls, it has been a long time since the blog was updated and I have no one to blame but myself. What has been going on I hear you cry.

Over the last few months we have been busy trying to secure assistance for a great project set up to support girls kayaking in Nepal. The project was established a few years ago by my good friend Inka from Sweden and is developing well. From Flat Water to Swift Water the girls are doing well.

It has been great that kayaking companies have been jumping to help out the Himalayan River Girls, this is a great club set up to help females or Nepal escape the rural family life, the caste system and all the oppression that surrounds the patriarchal ideology. Nookie Kayaking gear, www.nookie.co.uk have been brilliant and have supplied pfds, cags, decks, rash vest etc both for the club and as prizes and Square Rock, www.squarerock.co.uk have supplied a Jackson kayak as the prize for the Himalayan rodeo all is looking brilliant.


The girls have been doing well and are now working in the river. The Nepal season has been a blast and the learning curve is amazing.

This is a short update as we have just got off the Sun Kosi river, a great wilderness kayaking trip in the heart of Nepal. I will be adding a report about this later along with some images.

ONE STEP BEYOND

Pain, drained, numb, dry, arid, desperate, living at the edge, barren, wasted, mind games, thoughts of the past and future, devils on the shoulder, monkey mind, plodding, plodding, muscles tight, the beaten down, hopeless, hungry, despair.

Ankle deep in human faeces we load the last jeep in Beni hoping to get out of town before night fall. We flop into the back seat, wet and emotionally crippled - how had it come to this. We could feel our internal organs eating way. We hadn’t urinated for over 12 hours and even then it was only a trickle of thick treacle. Our bodies were in shock and we had caused this, all for the taste of adventure.

Days before a beaten up only Toyota had taken us up a dusty trail to the hot springs at Tatopani high on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river. On our right the inky black water of the Kali raged down to Beni as the ancient corolla skidded around the dusty bends narrowly missing the trekkers and porters. At this junction the Kali was black, the rocks were the same colour as the water. Waves, holes, pour-overs all looked the same. Reading the river was not text book. We had no choice but to kayak by feel, Braille to react to the cause. The only colour on the river was our kayaks as the gorge wall closed in.

Dirty land slide scars littered the walls high above. Below in the torrent of the dark water sharp rocks formed lacerating siphons at every turn. Giant chock stones balance waiting to tumble on the scene. Where the goddess Kali herself was the maker of the destruction. Huge landslides blocked the river in places and portages became the only way to navigate the maze of water, earth and rubble . Clear waters of the Rauhghat Khola attempted to dilute the Kali as the rapids eased but the darkness enveloped the purity as we paddled on towards Beni, towards a sleep, towards the embrace of the Myagdi Khola.

The small rusty bus bumped and rattled its way up towards Darbang on the old Dhaulagiri trading route. Squashed and sweaty arm pit to arm pit with the brood of locals and crying children. The journey was less than ideal. The Trading post of Darbag, the hosting township of the best Chowmein, but the lack of porters saw us working our way up towards Kumla with kayaks and gear with a total weight of over 30kg each. Our walk was set to take 2 days of mountain traverses, steep gullies and loose scree. Once through Darbang we were sure that we would find porters or mules to assist us with our journey.

Each step was a walk closer to the river but also a step closers to finding assistance. As tick followed the tock of the clock and the dust burned our throats, as we looked around for help through the blistering heat. Ever onwards we walked with a hope in our hearts that we would find porters on our trek.

At each horizon the chances of finding porters got slimmer and slimmer as we became accustomed to the weight of the kayaks and gear. The pain of the cockpit rim was soon forgotten when toes were stubbed on the loose rocks. Sweat rolled into our eyes as we realised that both food and water would be a rarity on this river. At each crest in the landscape we soon realised that villages were becoming thinner and more spaced. Food, dhal bhat-the life blood of Nepal, a staple was not available.

Buckling our legs forged forwards on the dirty trail high on the gorge wall. We were far from the river and far from home. So deep in the gorge drinking water was as rare as a lotto win. Our bodies cried out for hydration which came only too late as we crossed a bridge and rounded the bend to see a clear stream crash down the hill side. Pint after pint we drank but it never touched the sides. Before the droplets of water filled our stomachs it had already been spent, soaked into our dehydrated bodies.

Strapping the boats to our backs we set off again into the unknown. We had walked for the best part of 8 hours with the vision of pushing forever onward to the river. The sun, the beacon of promise was sadly sliding her smiley face down behind the ridge. The day was at an end. Genuine hospitality came in the guise of the Thapa family living close to the trial welcomed us in with open arms. To hot Chai and the biggest portion of rice and egg. Dazed we ate like kings as the children played in the sand and we spoke the future of Nepal.

Sleep came quickly as we were ushered into the family bedroom. Squashed into the tiny beds where insects also made time to snooze. Dreams were wild that night as images danced through the stages of REM. As dawn broke and with our bellies offered a full of rice we set off again tied to the kayaks and were forced into the switch backs and heat of the day.

The dust from the trail cut deep into our lungs, our feet scuffed and sore. It is a mind game, setting into the rhythm of the land. Walking towards a destination that we do not know of. The mind is a resilient beast, flickers between past memories and future games without pause.

Memories kept us going. To live in the moment would have cause a panic. Here we were deep in the Himalaya with no food, little water walking towards a river we know nothing about. This is enough to break the spirit, if you let it. We fought he demons at every turn. The hideous faces jumping from the bleeding rocks. With clubs and batons they set about murdering our souls. Standing firm the human spirit is stronger than the figments and with each buckling step we crushed our enemies.

As the trail played out the nightmare of switch backs over the next crest we looked in amazement. The trail pushed higher again. We had no reserves left. Just sitting took all we had to keep our eyes open. The will to succeed was driving us deeper into isolation. Not the simple isolation between man and man but the isolation between man and has conscious. As the heat beat down on us we found shade under the bushes near the trail and flopped into slumber.

Quickly before the sand man became too obvious we awoke. Sleep could not win, we must cover the ground and crest the ridge to Kumla, to the river. The effort was too much, we had gone as far as we could. We are high on a canyon wall, no place to go but up and over the ridge. A mind of despair and confusion works the cogs of reason if it has any self esteem left. Solution comes to those with pride.

Leaving the kayaks and Dennis in the dirt I set off towards Kumla. I knew we couldn’t be far and hoped to collect some porters in Kumla and walk them back with me to the boats. With a quart of water and without the load of plastic on my back I felt in good spirit ready to take on the world. The trek cut deep and steep onto the ridge wall, a cutting slope of punishment. Gasping for air at the top I looked down, no village could be seen, just a row of further switch backs and ridges climbs. Turning on my heal I retraced my steps back where Dennis was. Solution-solutions-solutions. Dennis then back tracked on the trail until he found a homestead , a few farm boys who could carry the boats to Kumla and help us finish this day.

Trampled earth by the bridge became our sanctuary . Kumla the site of scattered houses with little food to eat let alone share. Humour and an honesty kept the people of Kumla alive, dancing and happy with the way their life was treating them. As we felt ready to sleep the village approach and walked us to the solitary house on tyeh opposite side of the river. All drinking and dancing. A party in our honour. Too tired to accept the special measures but too in awe to leave. We ate noodles and rice, drank gallons of river water and felt honoured by the family. Beds were made and children told to sleep in the yard. For our sanity, for the comfort of our sleeping bags, we retired to our pound of dirt sleeping next to the kayaks.

As the young sun burnt through the blackness of the night like a father over taken by his off spring. We greeted this dawn shaking the dirt from our faces and stretching in the thin morning light. We made our way to the edge of the river and the start of our two day descent.

Still hungry and thirsty we braced ourselves in our kayaks snapped on our spray skirts and launch into the slit grey flow. One paddle stoke followed the previous one as we turned upstream and made a lazy ferry glide across the flow as the river arched left. Cutting a path as the gorge walls gained reach for the heavens above. A quick glance into the gaping mouth of the gorge and our choice was made. We scouted, a choice of reason in an unreasonable situation. We had gained a hold on reality we were making planes that effected our passage. Circumstance was no longer our master. At first sight the passage through the mouth of the canyon looked probable. As we scanned and sought the line this single rapid uncovered its true face littered with undercut rocks and siphon encased tombs. The line was fine and with the correct safety cover a real possibly. Alas the main route pushed into a sump and the line then became walled in. To run the rapid would require accurate paddle placing and speed to jump the final walled in whole. In our fragile position this was not our strongest gambit. Through the undergrowth the cliff wall offered a vantage point to view the lower part of the rapid but it also gave an escape route. Within minutes we were hauling our asses through dead leaves and sharp rocks. Lower limbs blisters and torn from the walk became mangled in vines and poison ivy. Straddling a rotten tree a quick use of knots, a forte of Dens not mine, we quickly abseiled back towards the river, 30ft of unsecured descent where biting spiders and ants feasted on our toes and ankles. Exhausted we were all but dangling above the death ally of natures fatal flume theme park

Fatigued, at the perimeter where reason sits in shackles, we pushed back into our kayaks and launched into the river that had already taken so much and pushed us harder then we though possible. Still recovering from the days of carrying the kayaks made for hard work as the rock slaloms gave way to steep channels blocking the way. We danced with this flow thankful to the Himalaya as the smooth rocks were rounded by the hydrolic power. Scouting became a luxury that cannot afforded as the banks encased the gargoyels at the church of our dreams. Energy levels constantly sat past reserve but we had no choice with the rendezvous of this passage. Boofing the drops and ledges became the only way to play the game. The time comes when the moves are not made, where the nose of the kayaks dive deep into the hidden depths under water where siphons lay in wait and entrapment without rescue is a real danger.

Head down and paddling we made good time, eating our last remaining cereal bar, the only meal of the day, around lunch time just as the gorge eased. With no cause to make us stop and take note we carried on. Reactions were slow and fragile in the heat of action. We were punch drunk by all that had become our way of life. The mind flickering, the candle in the breeze that escaped under the door. to process our whipped and pillaged bodies into action. Without any food camping seem a pointless pursuit. So we headed with the flow. Cutting through the farm land and children playing. On the left the road became visible again but we carried on.

Through the retina of isolation we could spy the bridge at Beni. Drifting now the Goliath task was behind us, besides all the odds we had made the descent in one long day. Swollen our legs were prized out of the kayaks after we hug and pass the moment lost in though and recollection of the task. Just around the corner a more pleasant course journey can be had as the two rivers join in a playground for raft trips and kayakers from around the world. But now we are ankle deep in faeces dragging our kayaks to the bus park to find quick transport away to pain killers, food and vitamins.


Daz paddled with Den and they only have these miss adventures when not running high quality trips and courses for kayakers around the globe.
Daz runs high quality adventure holidays at Pure Land Expeditions (www.purelandexpeditions.com)

SPRING IN NEPAL

NEPAL 09
SPRING
GUIDES :-INDRA RANA & DARREN CLARKSON-KING

With wide eyes the bus set off from the airport and took you to the base at the hotel in Thamel, in Kathmandu Nepal. Following a day of seeing the sights buying clothes and getting into the Nepal vibe we set off from Kathmandu towards Pokhara but first a stop was called for and an introduction to Himalayan white water with a long day on the Trisuli river.
Following our night camp we set off again for the joy of the Trisuli, in the afternoon we set off for the Seti and our first taste of carrying camp gear in our kayaks. With heavy loads we camped and cooked on star fires. Filling our belly with yogi stew. Another day on the water followed and an early afternoon camp. Where we swan in the warm water and managed some quick roll drills. We ate our first taste of dhall bhat in the village before sleeping under the Himalayan night. Following a breakfast cooked on a star fire we settled into the river again and our journey to join the coffee pot mayhem at the Trisuli confluence. Quickly we were off to Pokhara and our hotel but we did not have time to waste. In the morning we set off with haste, taking down a power line on our way to the Modi Khola and hence forth the Kali GandakI. The Modi gave use some fun eddy scouting and some enjoyable low volume river running whilst the Kali open our eyes to must make moves with Big and Little Brother rapids taking a hit from the off. Our three days in this journey of discovery ended with a small party in the baking sun at the takeout. Up next, whilst some rested, was the quick play run of the upper Seti. A relaxed afternoon at lakeside followed before our morning ride to the Marsyandi .The dirt road bounced our bones as we drove to Bhule Bhule and our first taste of read and run class 4+ rapids. Time and again they hit us head on. At night we camped at Khude awaiting the second day of fun. The second day with rapid after rapid took us past the small samosa shack and the funeral ghats as we paddled towards Paundi. Waves crashed left and right but we held on well, our dreams will be forever filled with these memories. Paundi with the small tea house treated us well as we camped next to the Shiva temple.
Our final day on the Marsy saw some nice under cuts and some large holes, pushing all the way to our take out at Tuture. With some swims and some scouting our paddling would never be the same again. The journey back was full of sing song madness with a fuel of Red Bull and Vodka. Following our time in the chaotic capital we set off towards the Bhote Kosi, but this was not to be. Our final goal would be denied due to a road blockade just outside Dhulikel. After working through the options we drove to Fishling. We had come full circle and enjoyed the waves and stoppers that the Trisuli river offered us. Our final night saw a feast of Yogi Stew and fresh goat cooked over an open fire. Egg butties and filter coffee in the morning and we were back in Kathmandu quicker than expected. Tired we told tales of terror as we said goodbye to our new friends and got set to fly home.

TEVA

As a pro boater Darren often has to fill in profile reports, below are his answers to the questions that TEVA sent him for Athlete profiles. He just cannot wait to get to grips with the new line of shoes that arrive just before he goes to Nepal. The Himalayas are a great testing ground.

SPORT:Kayaking.

Do you have any rituals or superstitions with your sport? What are they? I dont have any rituals with my sport, but I make sure that I am always in the right mental state to perform.

What do you have love most about your sport? The freedom that kayaking offers.

What part of being on Team Teva do you like the most? I get to use the best footwear day to day to enhance my performance.

How old were you when you first started your sport? 12

If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow for your sport, where would it be? Asia, I spend a great deal of time in Asia and would love to live in Kathmandu the Himalayan rivers are dream locations.

When’s the last time you got absolutely worked in your sport? Ive have a few close calls and I remember damaging my rib a few years ago...I also got a major pin under a tree this last season.

How do you get psyched up to compete? What gives you the best adrenaline rush? I dont compete but I get the best rushes from the horizon line of a big rapid, running into the unknown. I dont like the word psyched. I prefer to be in complete focus and control.

What’s your take on the progression of your sport? I love the fact that people are looking to the past to design things for the future. Kayaking is growing and this is opening many doors for many people.

If you could do your sport with anyone in the world, who would it be? Walt Blackader or Mike Jones kayakers who were lost on the river.

What’s the first thing you do after a session? I take on fluids and a nice meal, curry yum yum.

What’s your favorite video section for your sport? The early kayaking videos always rock my world.

What’s the sketchiest move you’ve done, or place you’ve done your sport? Ive made some hellish moves in Pakistan but I think the sketchiest move was running from some Maoists on on the eve of a terror regime.

What’s your training regime? Do you have any training or competition tricks? I eat well, drink flluids and get out in a boat as much as I can. I use protein suppliment to complete my diet.

LIFE:
Who is your hero? Anyone who pushes the envelope, from Woody Guthrie to the Buddhist monks of Burma. I admire those that follow the dreams of the heart.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Bad Sitcoms

Do you have any nicknames? DAZ, Sasquatch

What’s a little known fact about you? Im lsdyexic

What’s your biggest pet peeve? People kayaking in low low rivers. Worst habit? Taking the p***.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome? The bank balance.

What are you afraid of? I am afraid the most of loosing the feeling of freedom. I am afraid of loosing my free will.

Describe an embarrassing moment? It was back in 2004 we were walking up to a 1st descent river in Nepal, no one had been paddling hear before. I reached over to get some stuff out of my boat and lost all control of by bowel...

Where have you been in the world? India, Pakistan, Tibet, Morocco, Europe, Alaska, Canada, Tunisia, USA, Thailand and Norway.

What bones have you broken, stitches you’ve gotten, and battle wounds have you earned? Ribs have taken a beating, back is screwed, feet ache and bleed, fingers broken, stitches on my face from a boomerang...

What’s your personal website? http://www.purelandexpeditions.com/

INTERESTS:
Music lyrics to live by, and why: Gram Parson just check out the music or any Jimmy Buffett and hey you've gotta love Rev Hammer " With a breakfast at Dils Dinner and a camera and Swallows Falls, the Slate Caverns of Blaenau Ffestiniog..." these are my play ground.

What’s the ring tone on your cell phone right now? factory standard.

What’s your obsession, and what else do you spend money on, other than your sport? I spend a lot on fuel, and PURE LAND EXPEDITIONS is my obsession.

What CD is in your car right now? no CD player, radio 2 my friends.

What organizations or outdoors conservation groups have you worked with? I work with kids in the care system and support refugees from Tibet. Pure Land Expeditions is also eco aware and funds the growth of trees in a private woodland to off set our carbon footprint.

SELF SUPPORT KAYAK ADVENTURE

KAYAK-Gear list

Most rivers on our 'Nepal Self Support Kayak Trips' are warm water and the sun is very hot during the day, rain and wind although unlikely are possible.

PADDLE GEAR

Kayak, NOT playboat
PFD, we suggest one with a pocket
Paddle
Spare paddle/take apart paddle?
Paddle Jacket l/s s/s
Thermal top/s
Throw line / Rescue gear
Spray Skirt
Helmet
Wetsuit/Board shorts/Thermal bottoms?
Dry bags /and/or/ Air bags / Various sizes
River shoes

CAMP, GROUP AND TRAVEL GEAR

Personal Medication/First Aid
Knife?
Duct Tape
Rope/Kayak Straps
Wash Kit inc wet wipes/cutica solution, Paclite Towel
Large Mug or Wide mouth water bottle, Spoon/Spork/lhoon (option)
Sun glasses and strap, Sun Block, Sun Hat
Wool Hat?
Flash light/head torch
Pen, Book/Note Book?
Spare Clothes, inc warm top (such as a fleece or sweat top), trousers/skirt/shorts, socks, (T)shirt(s), thermal
top/bottoms? Underwear, Sport sandals/trainers? Flip-flops? Trek shoes?
Sleeping mat, Sleeping bag, 2/3 season, Bivvy bag?
Camera
mp3?
batteries?
Money/ATM card/Credit Card
Passport, visa info, copy of passport and air ticket info, passport size photographs x4
Day pack/dry pack/bum bag for city use?
Water bottle/bladder system,** note all group water is filtered with iodine or via a Katadyn filter**.
Sense of adventure

PURE LAND EXPEDITIONS-Tested Products/Suppliers

During all our years in the Himalaya on expedition trips, we have come to trust the products we use, from solo descents to large all inclusive trips.

Below is a list of the products that have been proven in the field not just by Daz but also by all our guides.

TEVA

For the last 8 years Daz has been wearing Teva footwear on all the Rivers in both Nepal
and India. Raft guides on both the Sun Kosi and Zanskar also wear TEVA out of choice.
They work well for both treks and river days. At the moment our choice is the Karnali or
Sun Kosi product, although we are aware other products are on the market. The Chaco
version is also praised on rivers around the globe.

PFD

Due to the nature of the rivers in Asia a PFD does not need to have a rescue harness since
its use is minimal. Pockets are important for storage of food etc. We suggest the Astral
Tempo due to its none restrictive design although some of our guides wear the Langer
AKC due to its large 'passport' pocket.

DRY BAGS

Dry bags need to be both strong and light, they need to fit well in the stern of the kayak
and be able to hold your gear. All PURE LAND EXPEDITIONS staff use HF, Watershed and
ALPKIT products when possible. The Watershed products with the padded liner are great
for fragile items like cameras, we use one for our laptop whilst in transit! ALPKIT do
drybags that pack small and are suitable as day packs but also for putting in the stern of
the kayak. The 20ltr Goudon is used daily. For stern kayak gear we use 12/20ltr HF sacks.

PADDLES

Paddles that break in the wilderness can cause major problems. Daz has used Werner
paddles off and on since 1995 and has never broken a set. Werner is also the paddle of
choice for all our kayak team. It is also suggested that the spare/take apart paddles are of
the same standard as your regular paddles. We use Werner take apart paddles and can
also hire high quality take apart paddles to the group. It is suggested that the group has a
spare set of paddles between every four members. Although your guide will also carry a
set.

CAMP GEAR

A self inflating mat is a great way to settle for the night, we use the THERMAREST,ALPKIT
or EXPED range depending upon trip length. We are very wary of down filled sleeping bags
as they are damaged when wet, we use synthetic products with Gore-Tex or Pertex outer
when possible. Our down bags are only used in Alaska and North India. During the spring
Nepal season one of our guides sleeps in his thermals and no sleeping bag! Tarps make
nice shelters but take up alot of space. They can be nice and cheap or expensive with all
bells and whistles, bivvy bags are suitable for this type of trip.

DISCOUNTS

SPRING IN NEPAL

We all know that the credit crunch is hitting our wallets hard. So here at PURE LAND EXPEDITIONS we are offering cash back on selected trips to Nepal in the spring, 2009.

That’s right, book 4 people on any of the dates and trips below and we will give £50 pocket money to each of you in Nepali rupees when you arrive.

These trips are experiences you will remember forever.

13th, March- Self Support KAYAK, Nepal. 16 Days, £600
This trip is designed for kayakers to develop skills in expedition kayaking. We run the trip as a bespoke package suitable for all ability levels from class 3 boaters to those that want to push the limits. This is true adventure kayaking, each night staying in local villages or camping alongside the river. Groups carry food and sleeping equipment in the backs of the kayaks so a strong class 3 roll is a must. This is a KAYAK only trip and schedules may include descents of the Bhote Kosi, Seti, Modi Khola please see www.purelandexpeditions.com for more details.

We are also able to offer bespoke expeditions to Tibet/Bhutan/Burma/Pakistan and multi-river raft supported packages.

13th, March- Sun Kosi, Nepal. **New Date** Kayak £750 Raft £850
20th april- Sun Kosi, Nepal. Kayak £750 Raft £850

This 16 day trip includes time in Kathmandu to marvel at the ancient temples and culture before descending the Sun Kosi river. We spend our days on this all time classic river. Voted in the top 10 raft runs in the world. The vista is beautiful and as we drift past villages time stands still. We camp each night on white sand beaches. Sitting around the camp fire with a drink in our hands we are miles away from stress. We awake each morning to face another perfect day on the river.
This trip features class 4 rapids along with flat sections. It is suitable for both rafters and intermediate kayakers. Please consult http://www.purelandexpeditions.com/ for more details.

Additional booking conditions for pocket money special promotion.
Bookings must be made for 4 or more people.
Deposit for all bookings must be paid before the 1st Feb 2009.
See website, http://www.purelandexpeditions.com/, for further booking conditions.

See you on the river
DAZ