Thursday, March 29, 2012

10 Things You Must Know Before You Trek To Everest Base Camp

Everest is still, and will always be, the most coveted goal for serious climbers setting their sights on conquering the World’s highest mountain. As such it has a great attraction for ambitious trekkers who wish to walk in the footsteps of these Everest expeditions to get a taste of what Everest Base Camp is really like and stand in the mighty shadow of this goliath.

Searching on the internet for “trek to Everest Base Camp” throws up lots of impressive looking websites but many are “virtual businesses”. Treks are routinely sub-contracted to local operators without risk assessment, quality controls or even proper insurance being place; European laws designed to protect clients are disregarded. This can mean that they are disasters waiting to happen and in the case of trekking at high altitude, such as to Everest Base Camp, this may mean a fatality from Altitude Sickness.

When searching on the internet for “trek Everest Base Camp” some companies will say this about insurance “We can't get insurance for taking treks on the mountain” and on the safety of customers money for those who do not have bonding add “ I can promise you that we are a healthy stable company .....but I can't offer you any guarantee beyond my word” (This is highly concerning given that EU law makes this illegal). Some operators try and side step these issues by saying that they are “a UK registered company purely for the purpose of booking and banking”, so who actually is running and your trek and taking responsibility for your safety?

Trekking at high altitude can be potentially dangerous and operators that take shortcuts to avoid costs off the mountain will look to take similar shortcuts on the mountain with disastrous consequences.

For a safe and fun experience trekking to Everest Base Camp use this checklist to vet your operator.

1. Check your operator is a member of ABTA or a similar organisation?
A good indication that the company you are looking at is reputable and trustworthy is that they will be a member of a recognised travel body.
2. Check that they have financial bonding and insurance
Bonding means that you are protected financially and proper insurance not only provides protection but is another good sign of quality as an operator cannot get insurance without having well prepared operational and risk management plans
3. Do they use qualified guides on every trip and a minimum ratio of 1 guide for three climbers
Maintaining a high guide ratio ensures that the needs of every climber can be looked after
4. Ask exactly what their price includes, is it a private or group trek or a fixed or flexible itinerary
It is cheaper to join an open group trek with a fixed itinerary, but the real price paid is that the success rate can be lower and a cheap trek that doesn’t get you to the top can later seem very expensive
5. What accommodation are you booked into on your trek
Most Everest Base Camp treks are accommodated in teahouses, however, if you are booking a Fully Catered Camping trek then ensure that you find out that they are using good equipment. The Himalaya is a very tough environment and a small cramped tent that leaks will totally spoil your climb as surely as a lack of good quality food.
6. Check what happens if your flight is cancelled or your luggage delayed
This can be happen in all countries, but it can be too familiar in Nepal particularly if you have tight connecting flights. Ask what happens if you arrive a day after the trek is scheduled to start! Has it left without you?
7. If someone is sick in the group and has to descend, can you continue your trek
Sadly some people will get sick on the Everest Base Camp trek and are forced to descend. Check it is possible to continue so that at least some can reach your final goal.
8. Check what is included in the price quoted
Make sure you compare quotes carefully – some operators leave out the cost of the food or even park fees which can be in the region of £250 per person and add these on as a locally paid cost
9. Ask for real testimonials
These are easy to fake so don’t just rely on website testimonials. Ask you potential operator for their previous customer email addresses or better still phone numbers and check this out for yourself.
10. Check that they operate responsibly and treat their crew well
Ask if they are a member of the IPPG or at least follow their guidelines to ensure the best conditions for their crew.
All of this advice is straightforward common sense but we often forget to ask obvious question, but when you are spending over of £1000 on a trek and potentially risking your life isn’t a bit of precautionary checking things out worthwhile.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Get Yourself Sorted With Golf Equipment Trunk Organizers

If, like the majority of golfers, your golf equipment winds up scattered all around the car trunk - or perhaps you may simply be looking for a little bit more organization in your life - this clever golf equipment trunk organizer is ideal for you!
These kinds of multifunctional bags will enable you to keep all of your golf items, including golf balls, tees, boots and shoes or waterproofs tidy and neat inside your vehicle’s trunk so you’ve generally got them close by well ahead of your next game of golf.
Don't want to carry all of your golf gear about inside your car or truck? These golf equipment trunk organizers may just as simply be utilized in the garage or shed to keep your complete golf equipment neat and well-organized.
The lower level will hold up to 3 pairs of shoes, whilst the upper part can take tops, outdoor jackets, socks, as well as a host of other things. A lot of these golf equipment trunk organizers feature a sturdy polyester design and a rainproof backing that will also fold down for storage.
You're already familiar with the situation: you’re busy ploughing through a busy day at your workplace or running last-minute errands when your friends call up with just one more challenge on the golf course. You swiftly grab your golf equipment, only to realize that everything isn’t where it should be. You waste precious minutes endeavoring to find all your numerous bits & pieces all whilst your buddies impatiently wait around for your appearance on the first tee. However, as soon as you’ve got all of your items together, including all of your various golfing gadgets, the game has already started - and you’re left struggling to catch up.
Don’t allow this to type of disorganization to keep you from ever again maximizing your valuable time on the golf course. Among one of the better golfing gadgets we’ve come across recently is a golf equipment trunk organizer. In case you can’t pick one up at the neighborhood discount golf and sports equipment retail outlet you can certainly buy one on the internet. You'll find that as soon as you get accustomed to having everything to hand all the time you’ll eventually wonder how you ever managed without them.
Likewise, golf equipment trunk lockers are storage bags that allow you to arrange your golf and sports gear for quick and simple access. Trunk lockers tend to be larger than their trunk organizer alternatives and offer multi-levels of useful storage. If you love to travel a lot to visit your favorite golf courses why don't you try a trunk locker in a handy travel size – either available from your nearest discount golf and sports equipment store – or online. Most of these useful trunk lockers make it more than possible to get out to the course the instant you arrive.
Golf trunk lockers really do much more than simply allow you to store and carry your golfing accessories in a single handy location. The rugged rubber hand grip and shape-holding design makes moving your gear increasingly easy. You can also make use of either the base or top of the trunk locker independently without either level collapsing. And of course, they’ll fit neatly inside your trunk or store flat when not in use!
Keeping your golf equipment sorted is mostly about determining the right golfing gadgets to make it easier for you to just pack up and go. No matter whether you’re an occasional golfer, a keen golfer or just can’t manage your golf gear, these golf equipment trunk organizers make it possible to keep an eye on all your golf and sports equipment all in one place.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Dragon Hunt

Description: Dragon Hunt
Hunt down the dragons before they roast you! You are tasked to protect the castle from dragon attacks. Good luck and enjoy!

Games controls:

Mouse - Aim and fire.

Dragon Rider

Description: Dragon Rider
Ride your dragon in the great shoot'em up game 'Dragon Rider', collect coins and stuff, change the weapons and use them to kill enemies and big bosses.

Games controls:

Arrow Keys / Mouse - Move.
Spacebar / D - Shoot.
CTRL / S - Next Element.
ALT / A - Previous Element.
Q / 1 - Select Flame.
W / 2 - Select Electricity.
E / 3 - Select Ice.

Terrordactyl Carnivore

Description: Terrordactyl Carnivore
Defeat your enemies going over them. Spit fire and destroy domes before they convert in pterodactyls.

Games controls:

Arrow Keys - Move.
Spacebar - Fire.