climbing in the himalayaslast summer my friends and i went climbing in the himalayas. we followed an unhurried routine. everyday, we would get up at 5:30 a. m. , have a cup of tea and set off after 6. our kitchen staff would go ahead to choose a suitable place for breakfast. arriving at some pleasant stream after two or three hours, we would make a long stop. while the cook was making the fire and preparing our breakfast, some of us would swim and rest, some would read and write, others would watch birds or catch butterflies and insects.

　　we would reach camp in the early afternoon, so we would have plenty of time to settle in, write diaries and reports for newspapers, and discuss future plans.our climbs, as well as the leisure hours in camp, helped to form firm friendship. through comparing our very different backgrounds and interests and though discussing out experiences we soon came to appreciate one another.at the same time, we also made friends with our native guides. an arrangement which seemed to give mutual pleasure in our himalayan travel was that each man was cared for by a faithful follower. this person would bring him his tea in the morning, lay out his sleeping bag at night, help to carry his personal belongings and encourage him all the way whenever we faced difficulties and danger.