Thank you Iran
Sadly, our time in Iran is coming to an end and the kindness and generosity of the people is certainly reflected in the size and weight of our bags. “I think we have just packed around… (Read More)
Incredible Iran
“Your presentations have changed our lives,” Ms Laleh told Gerlinde and me after having done our slide shows at the Koohbanoo exhibition in Iran. “It has been such a pleasure to have you here and we are all very… (Read More)
Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I seem to have written the word ‘apologies’ rather often lately but I have just noticed that I have not posted anything since I first got to Islamabad in early October this year. So there you… (Read More)
Early morning runs in Islamabad
It may sound strange to someone, who has never been to Pakistan, but it feels great to be back in Islamabad, where I have lived on and off previously. And even though I have only been… (Read More)
Off to Islamabad
Time has flown since we left Shisha Pangma ABC exactly one week ago, and I cannot believe I am already en route to Islamabad, where I will be working for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid for one… (Read More)
Stuck in Tingri
We are actually supposed to be at Shisha Pangma BC already but Sergey’s gear did not arrive yesterday as scheduled. I guess this is the beauty about travelling in these countries as nothing ever goes… (Read More)
Whistle stop tour through Tibet
After our Air China plane had hobbled along the pothole-ridden runway of Kathmandu Tribuvhan airport, I was glad to be airborne and embark on my next adventure. I was travelling with Sergey Baranov from Russia,… (Read More)
Tibet is calling
After only 10 days back in Kathmandu I am in the process of packing again for Shisha Pangma – the 14th highest peak in the world, which is entirely situated in Tibet. It reaches out… (Read More)
Different worlds
I have been wanting to update my site for a long time, however, work and travels have prevented me from doing so and now I am already back in Kathmandu helping Miss Elizabeth Hawley and… (Read More)
A huge ‘Thank You’ from Just-One
I have just paid a visit to Just-One, the organisation you so kindly supported through my Rome marathon, and the kids there all shouted a very big ‘THANK YOU’ for your help. Declan and I… (Read More)
Reaching the summit of Makalu
Apologies for not updating my site earlier, but I needed a few days to physically and mentally arrive back in civilisation after having been in the mountains for 47 days – 42 of which I… (Read More)
In Namche on the way up the valley
This is just a brief update as I thought I should make the most of the Ncell 3G network in Namche before I head into internet-free terrain. I arrived in Namche on Saturday afternoon after… (Read More)
Back in my colourful life
I have been back in Kathmandu for exactly one week now and I literally have not had time to stop and realise that I am actually back in my colourful life in Nepal. As I… (Read More)
The weather gods must live in Rome
I made it. And I made it in good time, or at least in a time that I was pleased with ( everything in life is relative)! I finished in 04.05.03 and even though I… (Read More)
Off to Rome – and a huge Thank You!
In just a few hours, I will leave the office and head to Rome, but before I take off I would like to send a huge Thank You into cyberspace for all these generous donations…. (Read More)
Kili, Rome and back to Kathmandu
Long time, no write. I have just noticed that I have not updated my blog since I came back from the North Ridge of Ama Dablam in November last year, but I guess that even… (Read More)
Back in Kathmandu – and off again
Apologies for the late last post about Ama Dablam but as you can imagine, life in Kathmandu has been rather hectic with Miss Hawley’s 90th birthday on 9th November and all the (unsuccessful) teams coming… (Read More)
North Ridge offers thrills without topping out
Just got back from climbing up to 6,200m on the North Ridge of Ama Dablam. It was an amazing climb and even though we knew that we were not going to go for the summit,… (Read More)
There is no expedition without water
Life is full of surprises and so is an expedition to a relatively new route with a base camp that hadn’t been used for a long time. On Wednesday evening, just as we were packing… (Read More)
A ‘short’ coffee outing in Pheriche
We have now arrived in Pheriche, the place at 4,300m where I stayed for about 5 days in the spring recovering from my altitude sickness. I have to say that it feels great to be… (Read More)
“A dumb blonde?”
This is what I wrote for the Himalayan Experience website this morning. I hope you will enjoy it Sunday may have been a rest day for us but certainly not for our Sherpas. “I have… (Read More)
Namche Bazaar
This is just a very quick hello from Namche Bazaar, where we arrived this morning. I am amazed by how ‘high-tech’ the Sherpa capital has become with wireless internet being available almost everywhere. I am… (Read More)
Rains, Records and Rambling
After a few days of heavy rain, the festival of Dashain and another amazing speed record that was set by the Swiss climber Ueli Steck, it is now time for me to head off to… (Read More)
Avalanches, Ama Dablam and Anniversaries
I have been back from Berlin for just over one week, which has been very busy with interviewing expeditions for Miss Hawley and the Himalayan Database. Most teams have come safe and sound back from… (Read More)
Thank you, Berlin!
Last weekend, I had the pleasure to take part in the 40th edition of the Berlin Marathon, which was an amazing event. The Germans certainly know how to party and first of all I would… (Read More)
Kathmandu Marathon – ‘It’s like running with a cigarette in your mouth’
Last Saturday, my friend Richard and I were brave enough to enter the Kathmandu marathon, or rather the half marathon as doing the full distance in this mad traffic would have been suicidal. After the… (Read More)
Silently striding through Kathmandu’s strike
It’s all a matter of timing; if you get it right, you can actually enjoy a jog on the Ring Road. When I woke up at 5 o’clock this morning, I noticed that something was… (Read More)
Challenging Marathon Training
Just when I thought the monsoon rains had stopped, they have come back with a vengeance, which makes my marathon training a bit more challenging. Even though jogging in the green hills surrounding the Kathmandu… (Read More)
Summer in Germany – Post-Monsoon in Kathmandu
I was just about to write that the monsoon in Kathmandu was on its final leg, when I noticed that my last entry was about the looming monsoon! Maybe I should just stop writing about… (Read More)
Monsoon is looming
I have been back in Kathmandu for just over two weeks and life in the mountains seems far away. The change from tranquillity and clean air of the Everest region to the dust and hustle… (Read More)