I honestly can’t praise Ram and Bashu enough for the patience, kindness, and care they showed throughout our Manaslu Circuit trek. I’ve done more hiking than trekking in the past, and I’ll admit, Manaslu wasn’t always the easiest, physically or mentally. But Ram and Bashu were just brilliant. Always there, always steady, making sure the whole group was well looked after every step of the way.
Watching Bashu glide along tricky trails, humming Nepali songs like he was out for a casual stroll, was something else. And Ram—completely calm and composed, even when things didn’t go to plan. You could really tell we were in safe hands.
I also want to give a proper shoutout to Ganga Thapa at Nepal Hiking Team. He patiently answered every single question I threw at him (and there were plenty!). His support and responsiveness made a huge difference, especially before the trek even started.
And finally, the porters. Absolute heroes. Walking the same tough route as us, while carrying 25kg on their backs without the luxury of trekking boots, poles, or high-tech gear. They deserve our full respect and admiration—not just in words, but through fair working conditions and job security. It’s the least they should expect for the work they do.