Joel Schone

Joel's easy "hi" at the beginning of a trek, and his hilarious stories of trekking life, cover for a sensitive take on almost everything. Perhaps it is the depth that invoke such a following that about half of the trekkers on his trips are back there for the second, third, fourth or more time.

Beginnings

Joel started his travels in Asia with a marathon bike ride across Tibet, Pakistan, and India in 1987, and managed to combine a career as a London Primary teacher with running his own treks for ten years before deciding to trek full time in 1996. He now leads or researches new treks and (occasionally) bike rides for up to 300 days a year.

More to come.

Trekkers say

We prefer not to inflate ourselves but we organize great treks and have to show you that we really do somehow, so here is a short collection of quotes from emails. All comments were unsolicited, nor are they from feedback forms, and are unedited.

Thank you so much for a wonderful trip!  Your company is highly recommended and your team are superb!  Your ability to pull it all together and remain calm and make everyone feel like they're important astounds me, but I really think overall it was the trek I am afraid that wins the prize.... you share in the prize as you put the trek together!!!  I was close to the mountains, every slog was worth it, I have never seen views like it in my life (and we have trekked in a couple of places!) ...

Carolyn, The Great Himalayan Traverse 2008

In Welsh: Americanwr yw Joel Schone ac mae ganddo dros ugain mlynedd o brofiad fel arweinydd yn yr Himalaya. Gyda gwên gyson a storiau di-ri am hanes gorymdeithiau i'r Himalayas, dros y ganrif ddiwetha' roedd e'n ddewis ysbrydoledig!,

Richard, Sikkim 2008

A few final thoughts on the Everest Pilgrimage Trek now that I have had a chance to collect my thoughts -

 1) This trip exceeded my expectations. I've certainly heard and read a lot about the Khumbu Region but until one actually experiences it in person you can't appreciate all the things that make it magical - the mountains, the monasteries and the incredible personal warmth and hospitality of the Sherpa people.

2) The Gokyo Lakes region is preferable to the Everest Base Camp valley. It's less crowded, the scenery at the lakes and Reno Pass is breathtaking. You get to see Cho Oyu up close and personal. One of the Germans staying at the lodge in Gokyo said it was much better than Everest Base camp.

3) As in India, Project Himalaya in Nepal provides a superior "value quotient" to trips with comparable itineraries offered by other companies. Project Himalaya offers an expert western guide as well as a seasoned Sherpa serdar for a price that is 25% - 35% less than the competition.

4) Many companies boast about their long standing relationships with local lodges etc. Joel literally knew the owner of every lodge we stayed at - many for up to twenty years. This translated into clean, reliable accommodations. We had no problems with stomach issues due to food.

5) Lhakpa, our Serdar, personifies the positive strength of character of the Sherpa people. He always thought a couple of steps ahead of what client needs would be. He had great personal integrity and was very generous in inviting us to visit his family home for lunch.

6) Joel's expert knowledge of the area enabled us to see hidden gems like Lauda monastery and to adjust our itinerary on the fly to visit Ama Dablam basecamp - "like being in an IMAX film".

Thanks again for a great trip and best wishes for what looks like will be a very successful summer 2008 season.

Fred M, Everest Pilgrimage trek 2008

Just a short email to say that I am thinking of you and to thank you once again for the fantastic time in India.

...

Anyway, what I really wanted to say was that I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from your history stories as I knew of most of the lecture content. You managed to teach a very amateur historian like my self a bit of history!

Martin Kear, Kinnaur & Nanda Devi 2007

I really cannot thank you enough for the opportunity that your trek provided for me.  It has really opened up a wealth of options for me (both recreational and occupational).

Dr Romany Topsfield, Nanda Devi 2007

Thanks again for a good trek – you really seem to have a terrific knack at allowing independence on treks but also stepping in and being supportive/decisive when needed.  I must admit, I was worried about doing the group gig as I’m a bit of an independent wanderer, but now would have absolutely no hesitation booking on another of your group trips.. hopefully/probably/god willing/if my stars say so/if I haven’t been eaten by a koala etc etc ...in ‘09.

Gaye Kittel, Nanda Devi trek 2007 led by Joel & Lobsang

The Dzo in the snow, the glowing crimson Himalaya, the Nutella, the spoon, comparing Patagucci gear, the camaraderie, the altitude, Csoma, Moorecroft, the fish tika, Windermere "How was the expedition, Sir?", "I shot a moose..." – so many marvellous moments.

Thanks so much, for helping put together another fabulous trek.

John S, Sikkim Kanchenjunga 2007 lead by Joel

The trek was truly an experience of a lifetime, I really do not believe it could have gone any better, everything worked out perfectly. Your knowledge of the culture and the area is amazing and very inspiring. Furthermore the respect you show for your employees was gratifying and made everything very harmonious. A heartfelt thanks from all of us!

Per Gullestrup, Arne & families, India 2007 lead by Joel

Really Joel,  you were the best.  We (I) wouldn't have tolerated a group of people that were shying away from being where they were, and with whom.  On the other hand, I don't want to be a young dead Russian girl, travelling alone with no back up. So everything was perfect.

You of course were cantankerous , when you weren't being howlingly funny. I, of course, was my ever delightful, charming self, who wanted to shoot people indiscriminately when I'd had too much. Which was most of the time.

It was the best trip ever, Joel-- and because of you.

Brenna (and Joe Stein), Everest Gokyo 2006 lead by Joel

I have very much appreciated what a wonderful guide you were and how much you enriched our experience of Nepal--how much you allowed us to experience Nepal--by putting us in it instead of  putting yourself between us and the experience.

We're back home and already missing you and Nepal.  Thanks again (and again) for your knowledge and good humor, introducing us to your friends, and -- above all -- for your companionship and generosity: it was a privilege and joy to share the journey.

(Brenna and) Joe Stein, Everest Gokyo 2006 lead by Joel

Yes, it turned out to be a real good trip and I am most glad that I participated. Thanks to you and Kim, your organizing and your crew. The land and the people turned out to be as interesting as you had promised. And the fellow travelers turned out to be amiable. The last, but not the least, Temba [Tenpa] and his assistant cooked up a storm. And all this sunshine...

Rein Grabbi, Zanskar, the Land Beyond 2005 lead by Kim and Joel

I also wanted to tell you both again how much I enjoyed the trek, how it really has been a "trip of a lifetime" for me that has given me wonderful new insights into Ladakh and a rich experience that I will always treasure (and hopefully repeat)! You were both instrumental to that experience, and I appreciated immensely your energy, enthusiasm and passion for trekking and your deep knowledge of the culture and history of Ladakh.

Scott R, Jumlam 2005 lead by Kim and Joel

I was on a Ladakh trek with Project Himalaya for a month last summer and had a positive experience. I didn't know Joel or anyone in the outfit ahead of time, but developed a sense of their competence from some preliminary emails. So I gave them a try.

I can honestly say they delivered on everything described in their website. Everything was unusually well organized. The two guides were always pleasant and responsive. The staff, in particular, were all high quality people. The food was excellent and more varied and interesting that I would have anticipated considering the circumstances. Something I watched carefully was the horsemen, and they were obviously much better than others on the trail. In a couple cases, the guides delivered more than advertized. On the way in, Rotang pass was blocked by a slide. Rather than waste time, they sent someone ahead to arrange a jeep, pay baksheesh, hire porters, etc, so that we stayed on schedule. Another outfit started about the same time and they fell behind, so they rushed the altitude acclimization. As I hiked by the ashen faces of their trekkers on the third day, I really appreciated the extra effort. So, based on my experience, I would say the outfit is well organized and delivers on what they claim.

Tom, Remote Zanskar 2004, posted on Yetizone

...Also a big thank you to Project Himalaya for such a great trip back in late Oct. Joel and the gang were on top form, and speaking of top, they did finally haul me to the top of a 6000m peak! This time with no ill effects!! His team were fantastic...

Malc Southern, Malc's Return trek 2003

I did the Everest Base Camp trek with them in 2003. Joel Schone was the guide and did an excellent job. Compared to some of the other outfits I saw along the way (skimping on all expenses), I felt fortunate. In addition, as I acclimatized quickly, Joel was flexible and modified our itinerary so that I was able to add Chukung Ri and Gokyo Ri to the original plan of Kala Patthar and base camp. I am planning to trek with them again in the future.

Bob Moule, Anniversary Hillary Khumbu Traverse 2003, posted on Yetizone

I was just emailing to say thanks really, we both had an awesome time in Ladakh and will definitely try and raise the money to do it again sometime, probably when university constraints are over. Anyway, thanks again for an amazing month...

Tom and Tom, Zanskar Remote 2003

... thank you [Joel], Kim, Lobsang and co for a trek that far surpassed all hopes and expectations. You can supply the adjectives for yourself to save me descending too far into the realms of cliché - any delighted superlatives will do. Unforgettable, and certainly not the last time I hope to come out.

Evan Jeffries, Caravan 2003 (and Helen and Evan came out in 2005...)

Last night Bob gathered the rest of the crew for a picture/slide show, some dal bhaat. We had a great time and had brownies for dessert just in honor of the great surprise from the trek.

To a person, we all remarked about the professionalism, knowledge, skills, enthusiasm, infectious excitement, enchantment with the Middle Hills of our fearless and intrepid leader Joel. I can't even imagine going on a trek without him. Our trek to Kangchenjunga and two of the members climbing Tengkoma was an extraordinary experience. The combination of Joel, Ram Kaji and Dawa Gyalgen was a study of organization. At the time we concluded that Joel certainly is an inspired teacher, Ram Kaji could run training seminars on organization and motivation in major companies. Dawa is flat out the most impressive person that I have met in any field, any place, any time. Putting these three guys together may have been just serendipity but it was an incredibly great match up. In short, even though I am prone to hyperbole, this had to be the best of all possible worlds.

Joel, I am still trying to figure out how you got me to walk on trails and schlep across bridges that usually would have resulted in soiled underwear. The fact that you did this without large bore weapons and electric appliances is a credit to your teaching skills. It is always the inspired teacher who can take the student into feared circumstances and have the student both like it and forget that they should have been terrorized.

Best wishes.

Wes, Kangchenjunga Fall 2000

We would like to to thank you and Joel for 'persuading' us and getting us onto the India trip, for the flexibility of you and the other participants in bringing the start date forward (so we could get our return flight to UK) and for all your and particularly Joel's hard work in making the trek such a success for us. We know it can't have been easy at times, with all the snow, but we loved it and we hope to come back one day.

Peter and Susan 02/06/02

To a person, we all remarked about the professionalism, knowledge, skills, enthusiasm, infectious excitement/enchantment with the Middle Hills of our fearless and intrepid leader Joel. I can't even imagine going on a trek without him. Our trek to Kangchenjunga and two of the members climbing Tengkoma was and extraordinary experience. The combination of Joel, Ram Kaji and Dawa Gyalgen was a study of organization.

By Bob Rosenbaum, Kangchenjunga 2000

Teacher. Avid trekker, in the Himalaya 2 or 3 times a year for a dozen years. Knows the Indian Himalaya A to Z. Knows more movies than anyone. Hysterically funny, good natured, knowledgeable, articulate.

By Dana Alford, Kangchenjunga Magic 1999

jdesign -- all rights reserved --  2008