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Top things we are most thankful for having taken with us are
1. A Porter 2. Steripen (saved a lot of money on water) 3. MEC sleeping bags (so cosy, especially when zipped together) 4. Poles 5. Warm and dry night time clothing 6. A good book 7. Deck of cards and chess set 8. Camera 9. Tang juice mix 10. A guide who went ahead to book our tea houses.
Our days on the trek consisted of up to 7 hours of walking. Now this alone can take a lot out of you, but we weren't just walking in a straight line on a flat surface. We went uphill, downhill, along rock faces, narrow and uneven paths, up stairs, down stairs, through forest, over suspension bridges (some with holes) and simple log bridges, and even through streams and rivers. Every terrain the mountain has to offer, we did it. Oh and in the process climbed as high as 4130m.
Your legs are jelly, your heart rate is pounding, your lungs work overtime to bring in oxygen and every muscle in your body is screaming in pain. Then you look up and look around and think "WOW. This is Great!" cause your in the Himalayas, and you just keep pushing on one step at a time.
So Jam Jam (lets go)...
Nayapul to Tikhedhunga (1540m)
First day they eased us into it. Right away we were thankful for having poles, made things a lot easier. We were very excited to get started and pretty happy with how the day went. It was our first taste of what was to come and we couldn't wait for the rest of the trip.
Tikhedhunga (1540m) to Ghorepani (2874m)
The only way to describe this day was we went straight up. It was continuous stairs for around 2 to 3 hours. I hit a wall pretty early on in the day and my legs just didn't want to work anymore. This was our first real challenging day. Luckily later in the day I found my second wind and finished the day strong. We were constantly being reminded to go "bistare bistare" "Slowly Slowly" and it was a very good feeling to reach our Guest House. This was the first time we started to feel the temperature dropping.
Ghorepani (2874) to Tadapani (2595)
Got up early to try and see the sunrise from Poon Hill. So off we set in the dark with nothing but headtorches for light. We got to the top and it started to rain. The fog was so thick that you were lucky to see 10m in front of you. So we walked back down for breakfast a little dejected but wide awake for the day ahead. This was the day of killer leeches. Every rock you stood on had a leech or two. If you stood still too long your shoes would have about 3 or 4 on them. But amazingly neither of us got any, I think we were more prepared with salt this time. Unfortunately we still haven't seen any mountains and we are questioning if we are actually even in the Himalaya's? But we did see some beautiful waterfalls as we went through the forest.
Tadapani (2595m) to Chhomrung (2170m)
We were woken up at sunrise by a knock at the door. We opened it up and saw MOUNTAINS, they do exist. It was breathtaking. Everybody was just standing there so excited. But unfortunately it didn't last, Once again the mist rolled in and covered them up, although the sun did stay out. We walked through many small mountain villages dotted around. It was festival time and today was the day of sacrifice. We walked through one village as they were sacrificing a buffalo. Both of us forced ourselves to watch this unique vision of something that would never happen back home. It really was an interesting experience.
Chhomrung (2170m) to Himalaya (2840m)
We had a very long day ahead of us. It started out without a cloud in the sky and again we were treated to some gorgeous views. But after lunch the clouds rolled in and we got soaked. It chucked it down, not only rain but hail too. Getting to our destination after such a long day of walking and such terrible weather was a great relief. But it was all worth it as we would find out in the days to come.
Himalaya (2840m) to Maccepuccre Base Camp - M.B.C (3700m)
It was a short day of walking, a welcomed break. As a result we had a later start as well. Only 4 hours, but climbing 800m. We really started to feel the altitude during the climb. When we got there most of the mountains were again covered in mist. But some time later they cleared and the mountains were massive. We had a lot of free time to kill today, spent it watching the mountains, playing cards and reading. It was so tranquil and relaxing.
M.B.C (3700m) to Annapurna Base Camp - A.B.C (4130m)
We made it to our destination! What a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. We were surrounded by huge mountains. We walked up to take a look at the glacier. And later on played volleyball with the guides and porters. That took a lot out of you as we struggled to catch our breath after a play. They have their own rules though and that was quite funny. We didn't really know what was going on half the time, but it was fun.
A.B.C (4130m) to Bamboo (2540m)
Now it's time to head back down. The descent down was much faster than the accent up. We had beautiful weather for the walk and everything around us was stunning. It was such a contrast from going up when it was raining. Today I did have my first real slip and fall. Going across a stream I placed my foot wrongly on a slippery rock and over I went. Didn't get hurt, but did get pretty wet.
Bamboo (2340m) to Jhinu (1780m)
Just more up and down today, or as they say in Nepal "little bit up, little bit down". It was a very Hot day, probably the hottest we've had. We did all of our walking before lunch because in Jhinu there are some natural hot springs. The village was beautiful and we'd loved to have stayed a night longer. We loved the hot spring pool, just what our aching muscled needed. We didn't want to leave, especially since we had to walk back up a hill to our guest house. Everything around us was so peaceful.
Jhinu (1780m) to Pothana (1890m)
Our last full day of walking. And it was a lot up. One section was literally straight up. All in all a very hard working day. We could tell we were getting closer to the end as the villages were bigger and there were far more people working the fields. We crossed about 6 suspension bridges today, one in particular was quite unnerving as it was very long, went over massive rapids and was slightly tilted to one side, I was very happy to put my feet on solid ground again. At night we all had Dhal Bhat the Nepali way, with our hands. We weren't allowed to use knifes and forks. It was fun eating with our hands and the food tasted amazing. That night we were treated to our last views of the mountains. They were bathed in moonlight and looked like a painting on a canvas.
Pothana (1890m) to Pokhara - Phedi (430m)
Only 2 hours of walking today. So short. Civilization was back upon us. Kinda scary being in a car again, especially with a driver who skids about and drives at 60 mph in the rain. Treated ourselves to a lovely steak and beer. We did it!
Along the way I often wondered what the locals must think of these foreign people walking through their villages, especially looking the way we do, sweating and huffing and puffing. But they just say hello and go about their daily business as you pass.
There is such a feeling of Joy and Accomplishment each day when you reach your destination for the day. All the things you see and experience can't be fully described and photo's just don't do it justice. During the whole journey you are exhausted, but yet feel and peace in such a quiet and breathtaking setting.
10 nights of sore muscles and physical exhaustion + unpredictable weather changes + 55L of water + numerous slips, falls and close calls + jelly legs + thin air = 1 Fantastic Trip...
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