itch to live... » Nepal

Finished!

Heather — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:08:53 +0000

The last few days of our trek seemed like lots and lots of stone stair-stepping. It was a really cool part, actually. So green and rolling. The very last day kicked all our butts because it was a full day of downhill on steep steps. 22 days trekking, and it was time for some relaxation in the chill town of Pokhara, then on to our next adventure. So long, beautiful Nepal!! 28 photos.

Downhill From Here

Heather — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:39:30 +0000

The main route for the next few days mostly involved the new road. We wanted to avoid it as much as possible, and so crossed the river to hike on trails and through villages on the other side when we could. Most people grab wheels before now, or fly out of Jomsom, so we suddenly had the trek to ourselves again, which was nice. Highlights: a small self-appointed trekking guide, and giant, cow-eating birds. Yes. 20 photos.

Top Favorite Old Town

Heather — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:16:18 +0000

We’ve experience an almost instant scenery change: so dry, and not much plant-life. I love the desert, by the way. I feel right at home. In Muktinath, our friend Gabe joined us, and the 5 of us spent the next couple days hiking down a very dry, dusty, windy-in-the-afternoon river valley. The old medieval town of Kagbeni was fascinating, and probably one of our favorite places on the trek. 35 photos.

Up and Over! (10-12)

Heather — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:53:46 +0000

From our rest day, we spent 2 more short days getting to the basecamp of Thorung La Pass. It is cold! But between the one rented sleeping bag we have (to share, ha) and a fat blanket at night…we’re pretty cozy. Hiking over the pass was an epic day. 75% of us were higher than we’ve ever been, and it was stunningly beautiful. The other side down was crazy too. My favorite: watching a whole train of pack mules calmly ‘ice-skate’ past us on a very icy, very steep part of the way down, while we were hugging one wall of the ravine, trying to avoid collision. Man, I wish we’d gotten video of that! 24 photos.

Annapurna, Days 7-9…

Heather — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:24:27 +0000

…which involved some easy, gradual hiking for 2 days, and then another rest day, because we’ve ascended enough that we needed to stop and acclimatize a bit. Don’t have to tell us twice. We discovered yummy baked goods on the way to, and in Manang: bad news for a rest day. The scenery is starting to look dry and like Utah, which makes it an instant hit. We also met a new friend: Gabe, day-hiked to great views, and played with the slack-line that Tyler accidentally brought. Ha. 30 photos.

Annapurna Circuit, Days 4,5 & 6

Heather — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:19:24 +0000

Our fourth day of the circuit was another of gruelling ups and downs. Starting to wonder if we’ll toughen up to it. More rain, but not too unpleasant until the last pass when it was getting cold and windy on top of the rain. The river is bigger than ever, and so alive. When we arrived in the riverside village of Tal, everything was jam-packed full because trekkers ahead of us had been stuck or turned back due to some pretty gnarly landslides ahead. Fortunately we were able to find a place that could squeeze us in. Tyler and Jewell slept in the porter’s room, and Spence and I crammed into a tiny little single room. We could hear landslides across the river crashing down all night long. The way opened up the next day, but we decided to take a rest day to let the masses get ahead of us and dry our stuff. Reading, relaxing, cards, warm food. On day 6, under clear skies, we made good time, along with the pack-mule trains. We arrived at our destination with plenty of time for hanging out….which included a hotspring! Oh yeah. 29 photos.

…We’re Off to See the Mountains!

Heather — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:45:18 +0000

Bright and early on a Monday morning, we set off by mini-bus to start our trek of the Annapurna Circuit. Day one was bus and then stayed in the last town with cars. Started hiking on day 2, and put in about 13 km. It rained all that night, and then ALL the next day, while we hiked along the (huge) river. I’ve never gotten to play out in the rain for an entire day before. There was lots of up and down, and despite chafed, bloody feet….we think this is AWESOME! 23 photos.

A Few More Around Town and Then…

Heather — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:12:55 +0000

A handful more photos around Kathmandu, these from Spence’s bro Tyler. 13 photos.

Hangin’ in Kathmandu

Heather — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:40:29 +0000

We spent a few too many days here – sad, smoggy valley – before we headed out for some trekking in the Annapurnas. There were some cool things to see, though, and we had quite the adventure trying to meet Tyler and Jewell when they arrived at the airport (got on the wrong bus). And I can’t lie, besides all the great, old architecture, I loved the way too many shops around, selling trekking and mountaineering gear….knock-offs or not! 49 photos.

Nepali Bus Drivers…

Heather — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:59:49 +0000

…are adrenaline junkies! And the folks at Jhamtse Gatsal can’t be talked out of their generosity: there wasn’t a helicopter the day we were to leave, so Dorjee, Teke, and Amdo drove us all the way to Tezpur (2 days!), where we could catch a bus the rest of the way to the border. The drive was still beautiful, and there was definitely much more of a military presence in the area than when we came (4 months ago), due to some recent tensions with China. We spent a night at the border of Nepal, in Kakarbhitta, then spent a whole day on another bus to Kathmandu. So far, bus-riding in Nepal puts the craziness of driving in India to shame! 11 photos.