When Chris Skinner’s mate Stew asked where he’d like to go for his 60th, no one expected “Mt Everest by motorbike”. If you’re used to creature comforts, wary about what you eat, and never know when you’ll need patching up in a good hospital, you might think extreme locations are not for suburban folk like you. People can read Everest and Beyond to find out if that’s right. After following this sometimes awkward, sometimes inspiring journey to Everest and Lhasa, readers may set off in pursuit of their own inappropriate objectives. This is the story of a bold plan—rashly formulated over quite a few drinks, and carried out by people more likely to be seen in VIP lounges than the slopes above Base Camp, or struggling for breath in the world’s highest towns.
On trusty Royal Enfields they rode the highest roads on the planet with white knuckles beneath black skies, through savage conditions, boggy roads and closed highways, armed checkpoints, dubious food and the occasional hot shower. They braved brutal altitudes for one of the rarest views on Earth—Mount Everest on a clear day. Along the way they met fantastic strangers who became fast friends—and saw the outlandish in a mystical land.
Chris Skinner lives in Sydney. Before the corona virus he was an enthusuastic traveller for his business and holidays. He has a great collection of motorbikes, including a Royal Enfield like the one he rode to Mt Everest.
INTRODUCTION 6
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU 36
Day 2: KATHMANDU 40
Day 3: KATHMANDU TO KODARI 56
Day 4: KODARI TO NYALAM 74
Day 5: NYALAM TO TINGRI 88
Day 6: TINGRI TO BASE CAMP EVEREST 96
Day 7: TINGRI TO SHIGATSE 114
Day 8: SHIGATSE TO LHASA 132
Day 9: LHASA 146
Day 10: LHASA TO LHATSE 158
Day 11: LHATSE TO DRAM 170
Day 12: DRAM TO KATHMANDU 174
HEADING HOME 194
* Great colour photos of Nepal and Tibet, including real life and typical scenery, not just postcard views.
* Ordinary blokes doing something very interesting.
* Reading the book is the closest thing to going there yourself.