In your editorial of November 1, you regret the decision of the PLA not to take part in the Trailwalker, made on the grounds of maintaining a low profile in Hong Kong. However, when you point out that the Gurkhas set records for this event, you have probably hit on the real reason the PLA do not wish to take part. It would not do much for their morale if they found they could not beat the times of the 'little' men from Nepal (especially as they were members of the British Army at the time). NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED