when being very young. Albeit my own youngster experiences are far from that, I can understand - and share these experiences on a much smaller scale. I fully underline Lolli's as well as Aaron's comments. Corax, what do you earn your money with the several days a year you don't do expeditions and outdoor experiences?
Thanks for checking the TR!
The main key to how I can support my travels is I'm living very cheap back home and I'm good at saving money. I also always go the shoe string way and I have always been unsupported on all expeditions. At the moment I work for and with my sponsors on expos, I write some stuff and work as a guide. Of course all the money ends up under my matress :-)
I'll never get the thing with sandals though... get some normal shoes!
Normal shoes? As in Chinese 1$ canvas shoes? I may try that out next time. It seemed to work for you, both for climbing 5000m hills around Markam and cycling 40 000km.
When are you off for another tour?
Karamiran Shankou and Ulugh Muztagh are still out there.
Bulgaria.
Not much to say. The cheapest ticket we could find to the area was a charter flight, with one week of hotel included. Super cheap, about 110$ for a return flight (which we only used one way) and hotel.
We stayed in Slantchev Briag for that week, doing absolutely nothing. We only got a one week visa, so we didn't have much choice. Cycled from there to the border at Malko Turnovo and further towards Kirklareli.
Yeah, those package holidays on the seaside are ridiculously cheap. Lots of people use them only for the flights.
By the way, I saw that you've been in an expedition to Muztag Ata with Olof Dallner. I know him from the Alps, we were in the same camping in Chamonix for a couple of days. He had a lot of really interesting stories to tell, too bad that the owner lady didn't let us stay late on the "socializing table"...
Yes, Olof was attempting MA in 2002. He became a little bit famous in BC and was called "the human camel" by some. He carried all his stuff from the trailhead to BC himself. The backpack's weight was about 65kg. "Camels, Sherpas and all that? If you need it - stay home". Photo of Olof arriving in BC.
Great TR. I don't know which was the craziest part. The climbing stunts or just being in the Middle East! I would love to see the middle east but the way things are going over there I don't think I'd ever be welcome.
Thanks.
The part I consider the most stupid is the climb down the pit. It was so close I lost grip there many times.
I think 99.xx% of the people of the Middle East would welcome you. Last time I cycled through (5 years back) I biked with an American and we got the same reception by the locals almost all the time. The exceptions were at borders and in embassies. I had no problem getting into any country, but my friend Jeff was slammed by tough visa regulations for Americans. At times Jeff felt unwelcome because of the attitude of the border officials, at others they excused themselves a hundred times and explained it was government rules. By the people of the countries, we got the same treatment and it was very hospitable and friendly. It may have changed a little bit lately, but I think the local person you meet on the street still welcome a person visiting the region, regardless of that person's governments policy.
This has to be one of the most entertaining adventurous I have heard in a while! I'm sure looking back now, it's kind of funny, although I'm sure it wasn't then.
You should write a book, or even sell the story to someone!
Your story reminds me of an out of print book I read recently. I think you'll find the author, Eric Newby, a brother in sufferin'. :-) "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush" by Eric Newby. Try the library, I just checked Amazon and they want $300 for it.! (it's good, but not $300 good!)
vancouver islander - Feb 21, 2007 7:42 pm - Voted 10/10
"Where ignorance is bliss.......'tis folly to be wise" (some old English guy; Jake Spear or something like that). Great TR and thanks for sharing.
Corax - Feb 26, 2007 2:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re:Thanks for the nice words.
reinhard2 - Mar 6, 2007 9:30 pm - Voted 10/10
Life at its bestwhen being very young. Albeit my own youngster experiences are far from that, I can understand - and share these experiences on a much smaller scale. I fully underline Lolli's as well as Aaron's comments. Corax, what do you earn your money with the several days a year you don't do expeditions and outdoor experiences?
Corax - Mar 7, 2007 4:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Life at its bestThanks for checking the TR!
The main key to how I can support my travels is I'm living very cheap back home and I'm good at saving money. I also always go the shoe string way and I have always been unsupported on all expeditions. At the moment I work for and with my sponsors on expos, I write some stuff and work as a guide. Of course all the money ends up under my matress :-)
sweetnsourbkr - Mar 27, 2007 8:06 pm - Voted 10/10
everytimeI read a story from you, Corax, it scares the begeezes out of me. You are one lucky dude. It seems fate is on your side. :)
cp0915 - Mar 27, 2007 8:07 pm - Voted 10/10
AwesomeExcellent TR. Great pics. Very enlightening.
Robyandtobyinthecan - Mar 28, 2007 2:28 am - Voted 10/10
Yes!Ah, the Torbjörn stories! Great! With pictures! I'll never get the thing with sandals though... get some normal shoes!
Corax - Mar 28, 2007 1:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Yes!I'll never get the thing with sandals though... get some normal shoes!
Normal shoes? As in Chinese 1$ canvas shoes? I may try that out next time. It seemed to work for you, both for climbing 5000m hills around Markam and cycling 40 000km.
When are you off for another tour?
Karamiran Shankou and Ulugh Muztagh are still out there.
Corax - Mar 28, 2007 1:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Yes!Btw, why haven't you submitted a profile photo?
I can help you out with that. I have some wonderful ones, both from Kathmandu and Kashgar :-)
taikavuorimies - Apr 15, 2007 3:15 pm - Voted 10/10
niceGreat story... though there's nothing about Bulgaria (-:
Corax - Apr 15, 2007 9:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: niceBulgaria.
Not much to say. The cheapest ticket we could find to the area was a charter flight, with one week of hotel included. Super cheap, about 110$ for a return flight (which we only used one way) and hotel.
We stayed in Slantchev Briag for that week, doing absolutely nothing. We only got a one week visa, so we didn't have much choice. Cycled from there to the border at Malko Turnovo and further towards Kirklareli.
Thanks for checking out the story.
taikavuorimies - Apr 16, 2007 3:40 am - Voted 10/10
Re: niceYeah, those package holidays on the seaside are ridiculously cheap. Lots of people use them only for the flights.
By the way, I saw that you've been in an expedition to Muztag Ata with Olof Dallner. I know him from the Alps, we were in the same camping in Chamonix for a couple of days. He had a lot of really interesting stories to tell, too bad that the owner lady didn't let us stay late on the "socializing table"...
Corax - Apr 16, 2007 5:43 am - Hasn't voted
Re: niceYes, Olof was attempting MA in 2002. He became a little bit famous in BC and was called "the human camel" by some. He carried all his stuff from the trailhead to BC himself. The backpack's weight was about 65kg. "Camels, Sherpas and all that? If you need it - stay home". Photo of Olof arriving in BC.
atthecrux - May 5, 2007 3:42 am - Voted 10/10
You guys are nuts!Great TR. I don't know which was the craziest part. The climbing stunts or just being in the Middle East! I would love to see the middle east but the way things are going over there I don't think I'd ever be welcome.
Corax - May 7, 2007 6:54 am - Hasn't voted
Re: You guys are nuts!Thanks.
The part I consider the most stupid is the climb down the pit. It was so close I lost grip there many times.
I think 99.xx% of the people of the Middle East would welcome you. Last time I cycled through (5 years back) I biked with an American and we got the same reception by the locals almost all the time. The exceptions were at borders and in embassies. I had no problem getting into any country, but my friend Jeff was slammed by tough visa regulations for Americans. At times Jeff felt unwelcome because of the attitude of the border officials, at others they excused themselves a hundred times and explained it was government rules. By the people of the countries, we got the same treatment and it was very hospitable and friendly. It may have changed a little bit lately, but I think the local person you meet on the street still welcome a person visiting the region, regardless of that person's governments policy.
rpace - Jul 9, 2007 12:54 am - Voted 10/10
Sell this story!This has to be one of the most entertaining adventurous I have heard in a while! I'm sure looking back now, it's kind of funny, although I'm sure it wasn't then.
You should write a book, or even sell the story to someone!
Thanks for sharing!
Corax - Jul 13, 2007 5:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Sell this story!Thanks for the nice comment!
tigerlilly - Sep 18, 2007 8:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Book you might likeYour story reminds me of an out of print book I read recently. I think you'll find the author, Eric Newby, a brother in sufferin'. :-) "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush" by Eric Newby. Try the library, I just checked Amazon and they want $300 for it.! (it's good, but not $300 good!)
Corax - Nov 4, 2007 8:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Book you might likeI have it, but I haven't read it yet. Bought it very cheap in Kathmandu. Will read it one day when back home. Almost everyone who has read it like.
Judd97 - Nov 22, 2007 1:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Very EntertainingVery entertaining story! Makes my adventures look like preschool field trips :P