By: Simon Thomsett For this trip it seemed essential that I should gather whatever Nordic looks I may have and be prepared to assume a steely distant stare when summiting mountain tops, the kind adopted by those who conquer Everest and wear Rolex watches. It was important too that I grew a beard, for the ice crystals that would form there and that I wore reflecting sunglasses. You never know, a photographer could be lurking anywhere. In Pokohara it was clear from the numerous super-fit young tourists, that this attire was de rigueur. Some were a bit extreme, wearing spandex and sporting two expensive walking sticks to the restaurants and market places. Shamefully a good deal dripped about with baggy trousers and had goatee beards and looked alarmingly unprepared. They looked like spoilt gap year students and should sharpen up. I was concerned, the Himalayas was clearly no joke. You must be tough, athletic and courageous. But I guess worse was to come for these intre...