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Gangkar Punsum - Lost Kingdom of the Yeti
In 2017, Mountain Kingdoms MD, Steve Berry, organised and led an expedition into the remote mountains and valleys surrounding Gangkar Punsum in Bhutan. Steve was accompanied by scientist and fellow ‘yeti hunter’, Mark Evans, a crew from Icon Films and a large support team. They were there to make a film for Discovery Channel's Animal Planet and Steve's brief was to search for evidence of the Yeti.
Steve’s previous expeditions to the wilds of Gangkar Punsum had produced accounts of sightings of an unknown creature and evidence of mysterious footsteps in the snow. Mark Evans was intrigued to discover more and hopefully find scientific proof of the existence of this elusive beast.
In a 90 minute special (broadcast in the USA this week as part of their 'Monster Week'), Animal Planet present the film of the expedition and go behind the myths and legends to reveal the secrets of Gangkar Punsum. Is it the Lost Kingdom of the Yeti or not? Sadly, we have to wait a little while in the UK to find out, but in the meantime take a look at this preview clip.
We’ll keep you updated with news of when the full film is going to be shown on TV here.
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Farewell to Wilderness Lectures
One summer’s day in 1987 Steve Berry (our MD) and fellow adventurer, Steve Marriott, were standing at the foot of the cliffs in Avon gorge. Having agreed that it was too hot to climb, they had been killing time in a ‘Wouldn’t it be great if…’ competition. This was when the fantasy of listening to the epic stories of their favourite heroes became a solid plan…
Since then, the two Steves and their caving friend Dick Willis, have organised more than 400 lectures whose general theme has been ‘Worldwide Adventure’. These epic stories have taken the audiences from the deepest point of the deepest ocean to the summit of Mount Everest, and from darkest, dankest inner spaces of our planet to even darker journeys in Outer Space. There have been mountaineers, sailors, cyclists, divers, balloonists, and even a man who cycled around the world on a penny farthing, and another who flew his car from Europe over the Straights of Gibraltar to Africa. There have been world famous explorers, record breakers, and people who have headed out into the remote unknown just for the hell of it.
Having run Wilderness for 36 years the three friends have decided to step back and retire so there will be no series this winter. However, they would be really happy if a younger individual, or a group of friends, would step forward to take over Wilderness and pick up where they are leaving off. If anyone is interested contact Wilderness Lectures here.
NEW Naar Phu Circuit Trek
We've just launched new tea house trek in the heart of the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal. An exhilarating, 18-day trekking trip, the Naar Phu Circuit takes you away from the popular trails of the Annapurnas, into a genuinely remote and truly spectacular region where access remains restricted.
Take a look at the full trip details here or speak to Harry in the Mountain Kingdoms office who completed the Naar Phu Circuit Trek earlier this year and rates it as the best he's ever done.
Holidays with Festivals
If you love a festival, but hate muddy fields, tent villages and rubbish food then it may be time to look beyond Glastonbury and Reading. In our latest enews we reveal alternative festivals in the Himalaya and Mongolia that offer amazing music, unusual sports and unique cultural experiences.
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