In reply to Will Goldsmith:
Going solo is good if you want to and have the experience, but if you want a companion, I'd try as much as possible to arrange even a potential one beforehand. Try any Facebook groups, Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum and
http://trekinfo.com/forums/
You can still meet people OK, but nowadays so many trek in organised groups it's not always easy. It depends on your personality, where you want to go etc. It's really easy to meet people on the route once you're actually trekking, but doing so beforehand might take some time and effort.
The last five years of so I've found Pokhara much more liveable and enjoyable than Ktm. Smaller, cleaner, easier to get around and plenty of good cafes and restaurants, gear shops etc.
February is still winter and many high passes will be closed into March and even April maybe. You can still push over popular ones like the Thorung La on the Annapurna Circuit, but less-travelled ones will be out. The Khumbu should be OK, with most of the lodges open, but you may not be able to do Gokyo and cross the Cho La to the Khumbu. Apparently Langtang is open again, but I'm not sure of the regulations there now, and of course there is not much left of Langtang village itself. Note that some treks have avalanche danger threatening small parts of them in early spring - like one section into the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the side trip to Tilicho Lake.
Only take a tent, stove and gear if you are absolutely sure you want to go off on a more remote trail. Otherwise you just won't use them and waste time and money.
Hire a porter for whatever you do - it makes it much more enjoyable and they really need the work right now. It's a small amount to you, but it's survival to them.
Post edited at 01:41
