Trekking with Pan Bhadur Pun

In May 2007, the British company GKN, of which I was a director at the time, decided to organise a trek to the Solokhumbu to raise charitable funds for schools in Africa. My son, Anthony, and I joined the group for what became a life changing experience for both of us. Pan Bhadur Pun was asked to look after the two of us as we were staying longer in the Khumbu than the main party, so the three of us walked together for many days. He was very experienced, knowledgeable about all aspects of the Himalaya and above all, excellent company. He also knew how to pace our walking to suit my aging legs (I was in my 60s at the time) and his kindness to us remains a warm memory for me.

As the photograph shows, we had good weather, especially on the descent, with Pan pointing out all the mountains we were seeing and explaining about life in the Khumbu; he also took us past the famous Hilary School. We stayed once more in Namche Bazar, where the three of us enjoyed an excellent meal together and when we returned to Lukla, he organised our flight back to Kathmandu. I can highly recommend him to anyone of any age planning a trek in Nepal.

Sir Peter Williams
February 2021