Krzysztof Filla   Photo Gallery

Photograps 2022

Nepal in popular culture sometimes is called "the roof of the world". On its terraine there are 8 out of all 14 eight-thousanders including the famous Mt. Everest towering over all of them. The land is squeezed between two giant and powerful nations - India and China (Tibet) that rub their hands to have more influence there or even gobble it up into its territory. Despite it, Nepal tries to signify its independence in different manners, for example to keep the time zone 15 min ahead from India. But nevertheless, the cultural heritage of the southern neighbour has its profound impact on the culture of Nepal. Contrary to the popular believe, the dominant religion of Nepal is Hinduism (81%) and Budhism is represented only by 9% of its population.
It was my second visit in the country after 23 years. For all the time I wanted to return on the Nepalese trails but those less trodden by hordes of tourists. After over two decades of my absence I was able to notice many changes both in Kathmandu Valley and in the mountain countryside. In my opinion, the first noticeable impact on the changes of central Nepal were the Earthquake from 2015 and the imposed by the Nepalese government, waves of lockdowns that took place in the time of the political-media frenzy pandemic of 2020-22. The international aid that flowed into the country after the tremor resulted in 99% of rebuilding the edifices, buildings and houses, partially retaining the original style and partially remaking them according to the presently dominating fashion. The changes that happened during the closed borders initiated a boom in local tourism, bringing oodles of hikers on popular trails and a number of professional high Himalayan climbers. Sherpas, as some other ethnic groups, which served mostly western and rich celebrities, now become celebrities in its own country.
I invite you to look at my vision of Nepal depicted in the colourful world of their culture.

Photograps 1999

When I was a teenager, I was bitten by a mountain hiking bug. After climbing Mt.Blanc (4810 m.) in the year 1995 I felt the desire to experience altitude above 6000 m. and see the roof of the world. I packed my tent and trekking boots and hit the road by land to India and Nepal. There I trekked to Anapurna Base Camp (ABC) and Mt. Everest BC for almost 2 weeks (one way) trekking from Jiri (the village where a bus can not go any further) to the glacier from which expeditions leave to the Chomolungma (the Tibetan name of Mt.Everest). This is the trekking during, which one of my cameras (Praktika BX20s) stopped working due to a mechanical malfunction and in my second camera (Olympus mju II) the buttery went flat. As a result, I was going back from EBC and carried 2 cameras, that I was not able to use. Despite this, that trip was an inspiration to traveling photography and definitely I was bitten by photography bug.
As for the crossing the altitude, unfortunately I have not stepped over the 6000m. due to some logistic issues and the highest point I reached was the pick Kala Patter 5545 m. asl.