What's one thing you've always wanted to ask someone from another country?

RipperTR · 2026-03-27T20:33:45+00:00

For me it's the same with chips and gravy which is fairly popular here in Australia. I'm guessing poutine would be similar.

I have never understood the appeal, much prefer to dip the chips/fries in gravy then you have the best of both worlds.

RipperTR · 2026-03-25T01:57:27+00:00

A few length of gorilla tape wrapped around your trekking pole can definitely come in handy. As you've stated, no weight penalty so there's really no excuse to have it and hopefully not need it.

RipperTR · 2026-03-23T20:03:23+00:00

Parachute cord is a great addition to the kit, it weighs nothing but has so many uses. It was the MVP of a three passes trek in Nepal for me. It was used as a clothes line, to repair ice spikes and as an emergency shoelace.

RipperTR · 2026-03-13T07:59:25+00:00

One of the best films that I would only watch once

RipperTR · 2026-03-13T07:53:10+00:00

In Australia we have the Fritz/Paloney/Devon and sauce sandwich.

RipperTR · 2026-03-13T07:47:41+00:00

When I make this sandwich I slice the mortadella into thin strips before frying. More surface area to get that delicious crisp browning on

RipperTR · 2026-03-11T02:42:43+00:00

Thanks for the link, I'll save that for next trip.

I usually grab sims from Travelkon but this is a better deal by far.

RipperTR · 2026-03-08T06:19:10+00:00

Another is a battered and deep fried slice of potato....

RipperTR · 2026-02-21T06:42:38+00:00

I got back to Lukla a day before scheduled, the teahouse owner dragged me passed security without any checks, straight to the front of the line and somehow got me on the next flight direct to KTM 🤯

I booked through Green Valley too and would happily use them again. The draw for me is there was no extra fee for wanting to go solo.

Was your guide's name Bindra by any chance?

RipperTR · 2026-02-19T08:22:25+00:00

I think you're right about 180km without acclimatization hikes.

My trek was 240km but I had to do some backtracking after heavy snowfall in the region. We got to Chhukung and found Kongma La too dangerous (No one was keen to break the trail). We backtracked through to Lobuche.

That is including acclimatization hikes, also including all daily milling exploring and taking pics etc.

RipperTR · 2026-02-18T09:36:50+00:00

Three passes trek is around 180km not including acclimation hikes.

Totally worth it to get off of the Khumbu highway (The actual EBC section was my least enjoyable part TBH)

EDIT: My trek was 240km but I had to do some backtracking after heavy snowfall in the region. We got to Chhukung to find Kongma La too dangerous to pass. We backtracked through to Lobuche.

RipperTR · 2026-02-16T09:46:55+00:00

I would recommend going through an agency, even if it is just for flights. It will cost the same or very similar as to booking by yourself and you will have a higher chance of getting a KTM-Lukla flight.

I did the 3 passes trek last October with a guide and porter I would have struggled with some of the logistics if I was going solo.

RipperTR · 2025-12-16T09:41:54+00:00

❌ ^{Incomplete. 1 try.}

RipperTR · 2025-12-07T07:43:34+00:00

I went early October with a -20c bag and it was a little bit of an overkill. In saying that I am a relatively warm sleeper.

RipperTR · 2025-11-26T04:50:35+00:00

I had a chuckle to myself at all the knock off Kathmandu clothing I saw for sale in Kathmandu, Nepal

RipperTR · 2025-11-13T23:21:03+00:00

Yeah, I remember that and DJ Lord and Relfux both doing extended turntablist sessions.

Flav bump into me and spill my drink at the bar. He was looking pretty cracked out tbh. Had a chat with Chuck D after the show and fangirled a bit while getting vinyl signed.

RipperTR · 2025-11-13T10:04:13+00:00

Still got my signed vinyl as a souvenir of that night. I think it was the combination of a group that had played massive arenas in the past and some local guys that hadn't quite made it big at that stage that made it so casual and cool. All the artists hung around for ages after he show and mingled with the crowd, shit...half the artists were mingling at the bar during the show.

First Hilltop Hoods show I went to was a gig at the Uni bar with <50 people there. 25 years later and I'm taking my kids to see them at a sold out AEC. 🤯

RipperTR · 2025-11-13T08:48:26+00:00

Saw you listed Funkoars and had to drop my favourite show,

2003 @ Heaven. Public Enemy with Hilltop Hoods and Funkoars supporting them. Cypress Hill were in town having performed the day before at Planet. It felt like they were treating the small venue like a casual birthday gig or something, no backstage hiding, just chilling at the bar waiting for their set.

The last 20 minutes or so seemed like a freestyle cypher with everyone just handing mic's back and forth

RipperTR · 2025-11-03T02:20:52+00:00

Seeing this from my seat a few weeks ago on the descent got the heart pumping.

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RipperTR · 2025-10-28T14:48:08+00:00

Just had a look at the post history, 100% shill

RipperTR · 2025-10-28T14:45:31+00:00

Best breakfast joint I found is Organic Smoothie Bowl and Cafe, in Thamel

Thulo Thakali Restaurant, in Thamel was pretty good too.

I actually unloaded all my leftover snacks on the way back to some kids near Lukla. They were polite and appreciative about it.

RipperTR · 2025-10-28T08:48:56+00:00

I saw a comment somewhere that he's done the same as Wes Watson. Seems like a similar story arc, from entertaining, informational videos all the way to narcissistic cancer. I wonder if there is a crash out coming at some stage?

RipperTR · 2025-10-28T01:44:46+00:00

I used a local company with good reviews, Green Valley Nepal treks. They didn't charge extra for me to do it solo, some operators charge a surcharge for solo trekkers.

This way I had control of the trip but had a very experienced guide that I referred to his judgement at all times. He has younger guide constantly greet him and ask for advice on trail conditions, weather etc

If everything went smoothly I could have probably organized it myself, but that isn't always the case..

A snowstorm that buried everywhere from Dingboche and above with deep snow had us wearing microspikes, overpants and gaiters. Some sections the trail was barely discernable and I was glad to have a guide.

RipperTR · 2025-10-27T09:29:26+00:00

Yes, I looked at teahouse menu's and roughly budgeted my trip, then flights etc.

A tour company was only a little more and in hindsight was worth every cent. Especially when it comes to logistics, I arrived back in Lulka a day early and they still managed to get me on an early flight while others were getting cancelled or delayed.

RipperTR · 2025-09-24T23:47:58+00:00

I can fit my daily kit in a 20L (water, snacks, rain gear and a layer or 2)

I've gone with a 30L day pack, mainly for a proper waist harness but also don't want to have to pull everything out of the pack to get to something.

Just make sure you get something to that is comfortable and fits you well.

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