Best office in the world?

Greetings from my mountain base, Chomrong, Annapurna Himalaya, Nepal.  I arrived yesterday afternoon after a 2.5hr jeep ride and a seven hour walk.

It's fantastic to be here.  I've criss-crossed the country over the last two weeks for lots of necessary blah blah.  I'm not a short person and cramped bus, jeep and aircraft seats left me with a real need to trek hard in the mountains.  Even if I am in a group I don't use porters.  Kiwis carry their own stuff.  Once we realize we're not going to be an All Black (the national rugby team, best in the world) we head for the mountains with big loads on our backs.  I've been doing it for nearly four decades and yesterday's load of six cameras, a full sized laptop, other communication gear plus clothing and equipment for a Himalayan winter, well it hurt on the final uphill push.

But it was great.  Now I am at maybe the best office in the world.  And before I get any blah blah about how "lucky" I am, well, it does require effort, there have been times of real hardship that those close to me know about, but hey, I'm not complaining.  When you believe in something so deeply and commit your life to it surely you're entitled to times like this very moment where I'm sitting outside writing this in maybe the best office in the world.

The internet speed is fantastic so today is a day of catching up.  Tomorrow camera traps go into the field.  Human/wildlife conflict is the issue.  There are people hurting badly from livestock losses.  A better understanding of the wildlife here is the key.  There is much to be done.  Over the last three years I've interviewed many in this area.  In my pocket are three photographs I show.

"Which of these animals did you see?"

The photos are of leopard, snow leopard and tiger ... yes, maybe a mountain tiger, many are sure there is...

Watch this space...