It’s frustrating to hear that Nepal is now requiring guides or porters on all trips. The guides are often inexperienced, lack fitness and are mostly a burden to experienced hikers. Many of the tourist treks in Nepal so well traveled that there is truly no need for porters or guides. Since I stayed in lodges for most of my time in Nepal, my packweight was light – perhaps 15 pounds. Do I need a porter for that? No. The trails are well traveled and there is no way to get lost. Do I need a guide for that? No. I don’t.

With a few bribes, the trekking companies have killed independent trekking in much of the Himalaya. Only India allows independent trekking now.