Female Porter--Now that porters are required--how to find
Replies: 17 - Last Post: Oct 9, 2012 8:55 PM Last Post By: roger_ray
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Female Porter--Now that porters are required--how to find
Accidentally found out that porters are now required for solo trekkers.Absolutely crushed, but adjusting.
Can anyone offer tips for finding a female porter? I'm a woman traveling solo and I definitely do not want to be trekking for 3 weeks with a guy I don't know. In Tibet they strongly recommended hiring a female porter and that worked out really well.
This is an unplanned bump in my budget. I'm hoping to keep it to the $10 average. Would actually prefer a non English speaking porter. This way it's less awkward for both of us.
I'm leaving in less then three weeks.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Catherine
4
HiTAAN's latest information and a Kathmandu Post article summarising events.
Trekking completely alone is advisable from a personal security angle and general saety (illness, injury).
scoodly
5
Regarding #5 above.... a slight exageration I think. Are women at some risk under certain conditions in certain places? But compared to what? Walking alone in the streets of some cities I know? Though each incident is a tragedy the statistics of incidents vs numbers of tourists make it super unlikely anything will happen. Would I trek alone in Langtang if I was a woman--No. Would I trek alone in other areas---maybe. But on most treks in Nepal you can meet up with someone---in advace on this site, or trekpartners.com, or trekinfo.com or by placing ads in hotels etc in KTM or on the treks that the vast majority of trekkers are doing especially during this busy season. Even on the bus to the roadhead and at the lodges the first evening. You can hook up formally or just walk with/near someone.....You'll probably find it more fun and interesting and probably simplifying too to meet a trek buddy for your trek.
Roger
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Roger & Scoodly,Thanks for thoughtful replies.
In the states and abroad I travel/trek alone. That said I certainly don't want to become a statistic.
The one time I trekked with someone I met on location was a disaster. She initially seemed very pleasant, however, several days into the trip she started unraveling and it became apparent she had emotional issues. She had a melt down en route to the trail. None of us at the guesthouse could talk her out of leaving. I did hear through the grapevine that she made it back to Leh safely. I didn't know that at the time and I worried about her the rest of the trip.
After that experience I'm a bit leery of traveling with someone I don't know. Up until then I thought I was a good judge of character. I also love the solitude and spontaneity that solo travel offers.
You bring up several good points, food for thought.
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kittyyoga---too bad about your first experience with a trek buddy, but you are not committed to that person. You can give it a try and perhaps move on to someone else if it turns bad. On the popular treks there will be lots of opportunities during the day and especially the eve to hook up informally for a day or so if you make friends by asking about the next day's route, map, other's plans etc. You can even just walk within sight of a few people if you want. Most people finish the day's trekking by mid afternoon leaving lots of time for socializing...get your map an/or guide book out and you might attract some people just sitting there.Roger
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Hi againOops - my post should hve read "not advisable" but I guess you worked that out.
As an alternative to hooking up with people for the whole trek, it's possible to meet people on the the trail and lodges to walk with for a day or two or just a couple of hours.
Some routes are busier than others, have you decided which one yet?
scoodly
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Thanks for ideas-- very sound.I haven't decided yet. I just received the guidebooks and haven't
begun planning.
I'd like to do a week warm up, a two week and then spend time being a tourist
in greater Kathmandu area.
Ideally less crowded routes. Any suggestions?
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HiOf the three main trekking areas Langtang Valley is the least busy and takes 7 days. The Helambu Circuit also takes a week and has fewer trekkers. They can be linked via Gosainkund in about two weeks.
Other less popular treks include the Tamang Heritage trail and the Annapurna-Dhaulagiri community trek.
scoodly
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Re. #3To put things into perspective, the Kathmandu Post article posted by Scoodly names just 4 trekkers missing since 2006.
As mentioned by other posters it is easy to meetup with other trekkers in tea houses / lodges on the trail and trek with them for as long as you enjoy each others company.
Edited by: Gipton_1
