Nepal is the located in the heart of the Himalayas and is often referred to as the roof of the world. In the winter of 2001-2202, despite the US State Department warnings not to travel to Nepal, I went ahead with a winter mountaineering expedition. My partner Ant Chapin and I were forced to change our objectives due to the recent terrorist attacks by the Maoist insurgents. Our journey started in the capital of the country, Katmandu and then traveled east to the Kumbu Mountain Region, where we climbed Kwangde Lo and Lobuche East.

The events of September 11th and the issues in the Middle East have overshadowed the turmoil in Nepal. The murder of the Royal Family and the ongoing Maoist assaults present major challenges to a country still trying to gain political, social and economic stability.