Day 15: tatopani to ghorapani

Last night there was the most tremendous thunder storm over tatopani. The rain was so loud on the corrogated iron roof. The power also decided to switch on around 3 am ( electricity has aims of its own here, and often is non existent ). Needless to say we didn’t have the best night sleep. 

This morning was the daunting task of the biggest climb of the trip up 1750m. We started along the dust road, luckerly not too dusty because of the rain last night, then crossed a rather long suspension bridge (Stephen is not a big fan) then the climb began. And it was relentless. Steps steps steps. And every time we went a little bit down hill we moan because we knew we still had so much to climb. Luckerly the scenery was breathtaking. Lush green rice paddy fields, banana trees, and then the start of the rhododendrons. 

We had lunch at silka, half way up, and sat on a lovely rooftop. Stephen was struggling after no sleep last night. I think the cumulative nature of over two weeks of hiking is catching up with us all. Lots of us are just exhausted now and ready for a break. 

After lunch the steps up continued. It was tough. To be honest I found it a lot easier than previous climbs. I think because I’ve got fitter over the course of the trip.

We took another break for some cold lemon then put my motivational running playlist on for the final slog. Luckerly we were surrounded by rhodedendrons by this point along a beautiful trail. It was simply stunning.

We arrived through the arch that said ‘ghorapany’ only

To find it was at least another 10 mins of up before we came to our tea house. It’s much more build up

Here and a much bigger village. There are lots of people on short treks from porkhara, pushing our group of circuiteers closer together.

Tomorrow we get up to watch sun rise on poon hill with most of the people we’ve met along the way. Very exciting.  For now it’s time for an early night.