'Haston Ransom Was Just £40'

Nepal's tourism industry and economy is in deep trouble due to the ongoing Maoist insurgency, but an OUTDOORSmagic member who's just returned from trekking the Annapurna Circuit says that the danger to trekkers seems to be exagerated.

Among other comments, Steven Edge reports that locals are unhappy over the reporting of the Stevie Haston 'kidnap' story and claim that the sum involved was actually not $4,000 as reported but 4,000 rupees - around £40.

He also confirms previous claims that in the odd incidents when trekkers are stopped by Maoists and 'invited' to make a donation, they are given a receipt to produce if they're stopped again to show that they've already made a contribution to the party.

Steve walked around half the Annapurna Circuit and comments: 'Sadly Nepal's loss was our gain, as it was very quiet with just the usual gaggle of Aussies as trekkers, but not many others.'

He saw no Maoists whatsoever on the trek, where 'every day topped the previous for scenery and remoteness/culture'.

We can't tell you that Nepal is perfectly safe for trekkers - there have been bombs in Kathmandu for example - but the Maoists have stated that tourists are not a target. The bottom line is that if you are planning to trek one of the popular routes - Everest or Annapurna regions for example - you should be relatively safe although you should also keep an eye on the latest advice from the Foreign Office and US State Department web sites and avoid the west of the country, where the insurrection is concentrated.

Latest Situation

• See these items on the BBC News site, but the political crisis is ongoing with strikes and closures widespread. There is some hope though, with one Maoist leader reportedly raising the possibility of renewed peace talks, which they hope will pave the way to a republic in the wake of friction between the king and existing political parties.

• this article from earlier this year puts the fall in tourism at 70 per-cent despite efforts to promote trekking and mountaineering with the opening of new peaks to climbers.