David Robinson kindly sent us these photos and from his mountain trek in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek

He wrote, " what that little pile of stones" said John as our leader Deepen Rai pointed out the rocky mound of Kalaar Patar during the 6am descent into Gorak Shep.

It didn't seem so insignificant two hours later as we gained the summit after an undeniably strenuous ascent.

The reward for that final breathless effort and the stunning trek up from Lukla was an awesome, crystal clear panorama of the highest mountains on the planet.

The Himalayan landscape is massive and magnificent.The whole Base Camp Trek is exhilarating and unforgettable. David Robinson 14/07/06.

Abiding memories include the camaraderie of independently minded companions when the going was tough.

The integrity and humour of our Nepalese team including the remarkably high standard of "Mr Bom's" catering in less than ideal conditions, and the yak man nicknamed "Morrissey"because of his monotone incantations, who (fortified with a litre of chang antifreeze) slept outside with his animals at -22'C at Labouche.

If you need any further persuasion read Joe Simpson's account of the flight into Lukla in "Storms of Silence," then do it.

See details of more trips to Nepal.