Advice Needed for Tibet Trip

icecold · 4th April 2004

Hello World...

Will be going to Tibet in a week time for a total of 18 days.
In all... I will be bringing a total of 3 batteries (btw.. me a Canon 300D user)
What I am worried is that due to the cold weather, the battery may discharge faster than expected (thinking of buying a thermal bag for the batteries... does it help?). To add on, as I will be travelling up north in Tibet (Namtso), thus there may be no power for me to charge those batteries. Do not want to stuck in a situation where all my batteries are suddenly flat and no power to charge. =(

Any form of advice to ease my worries for my trip is appreciated.

Do apologies first if my replies to any question is late as I do not have constant access to internet

block306 · 4th April 2004

The batteries (even those of x-drive) do discharged rather fast in Tibet. You can charge your batteries when you are in ANY of the towns in Tibet. I assumed at least you will be staying in a backpacker frequented guesthouse. Even in Namtso, it is possible to have your battery charged. I stayed in a tent and befriended some Tibetans. I got my battery charged in the entertainment (disco) tent over a couple of hours. The electricity is powered from a generator-so it takes a little longer. However all you need is to talk and ask- the Tibetans are very friendly.
One tip is to always leave your spare charged up battery in the sun when travelling. I travelled with a few other backpackers in a 4wd and always left my batteries in the sun beneath the windscreen- they lasts longer.
Have fun- Tibet is amazingly pretty. It's more exciting in a few years' time, more places (which are more beautiful, according to Hans from other provinces) are open to foreigners; but by then you may not experienced the Tibetan culture and hospitality anymore -it will be just like vising any of the Han cities/towns in China. Just imagine, even today, one has to go look for the "Tibetan quaters" in the Tibetan towns!!

icecold · 4th April 2004

Thanks for the advice... will take note...

however, if the battery is fully charged the night before (which I will plan to do if my accom do have power)... do I still need to put it in the sun while travelling in 4wd??

based on your experience... do you think a thermal bag for the batteries will work??

cheers,

chriszzz · 4th April 2004

Perhaps you can also consider one of those solar powered battery chargers. Use Google to find out more.

Astin · 4th April 2004

Ask scanner, I think he just came back from Tibet.

block306 · 5th April 2004

I still think it is a good practice in Tibet to leave the batteries in a warm environment like under the windscreen despite just been charged. I have not used a thermal bag but guessed it is of no harm.
Yes- I saw some photos posted by scanner. VERY GOOD! You should ask him for some more current tips.

4th April 2004	#1
icecold Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eastern part of SIN Posts: 120	Advice Needed for Tibet Trip Hello World... Will be going to Tibet in a week time for a total of 18 days. In all... I will be bringing a total of 3 batteries (btw.. me a Canon 300D user) What I am worried is that due to the cold weather, the battery may discharge faster than expected (thinking of buying a thermal bag for the batteries... does it help?). To add on, as I will be travelling up north in Tibet (Namtso), thus there may be no power for me to charge those batteries. Do not want to stuck in a situation where all my batteries are suddenly flat and no power to charge. =( Any form of advice to ease my worries for my trip is appreciated. Do apologies first if my replies to any question is late as I do not have constant access to internet

4th April 2004	#2
block306 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Serangoon Posts: 248	The batteries (even those of x-drive) do discharged rather fast in Tibet. You can charge your batteries when you are in ANY of the towns in Tibet. I assumed at least you will be staying in a backpacker frequented guesthouse. Even in Namtso, it is possible to have your battery charged. I stayed in a tent and befriended some Tibetans. I got my battery charged in the entertainment (disco) tent over a couple of hours. The electricity is powered from a generator-so it takes a little longer. However all you need is to talk and ask- the Tibetans are very friendly. One tip is to always leave your spare charged up battery in the sun when travelling. I travelled with a few other backpackers in a 4wd and always left my batteries in the sun beneath the windscreen- they lasts longer. Have fun- Tibet is amazingly pretty. It's more exciting in a few years' time, more places (which are more beautiful, according to Hans from other provinces) are open to foreigners; but by then you may not experienced the Tibetan culture and hospitality anymore -it will be just like vising any of the Han cities/towns in China. Just imagine, even today, one has to go look for the "Tibetan quaters" in the Tibetan towns!!

4th April 2004	#4
chriszzz Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 655	Perhaps you can also consider one of those solar powered battery chargers. Use Google to find out more.

4th April 2004	#5
Astin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Astin Studio Posts: 4,724	Ask scanner, I think he just came back from Tibet.

5th April 2004	#6
block306 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Serangoon Posts: 248	I still think it is a good practice in Tibet to leave the batteries in a warm environment like under the windscreen despite just been charged. I have not used a thermal bag but guessed it is of no harm. Yes- I saw some photos posted by scanner. VERY GOOD! You should ask him for some more current tips.