ROBIN BOUSTEAD

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in the last couple of years. At least two separate entities have staked their claim on the GHT brand in Nepal, with Robin Boustead leading World Expedition's commercial venture and Dutch development organisation SNV recently handing over ownership of the official GHT to the Nepal Government. Ultimately, both have the same motivation: to promote sustainable tourism across the 1,700km length of the Nepal Himalaya, in a way that benefits both visitors and the communities of the visited.

On 17 February, the first ever commercial crossing of the Great Himalaya Trail kicked off. World Expeditions have been marketing the trail for the last 15 months in Australia, USA, Canada, UK and New Zealand, and now have over 40 participants who will walk parts of the trail. Two will trek the entirety of the GHT in one continuous 157-day push. Aussie Gregory Baggage (pic, right) and Brit Toni Wilson will be making history, as no one has ever completed the 1,700km route in a single season.

The various stages of the GHT will be led by a series of expert mountaineers, with the architect of the GHT Robin Boustead leading the first stage. Other guides include Sorrel Wilby, Stephen Venables, Greg Mortimer, and Carlos Buhler. The expeditions will employ porters and support staff from the regions they pass through, purchase food from the villages and of course, afford trekkers the opportunity to purchase traditional handicrafts. For Boustead and World Expeditions, this is sustainable tourism in practice.

"There are not many times in your life that you get an opportunity such as this," said Babbage before the GHT traverse began. If the GHT picks up, it won't be just trekkers who will be making the most of the opportunity.

PICS: RABI THAPA

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