The hike started gently, again through the pine forests. We saw golden eagles above us.
Then began the up. Stephen went ahead chasing army (the nickname for the other guy in our group), meaning me and the guide just kept going passed all the other hikers taking water breaks.
It was a tough climb.
I tried to take it slow but it was tough without breaks.
I realised today that I’m in a bit of a pickle, I’m not as quick as Stephen and army, but the normal speed trekkers are a similar speed to me but taking lots more breaks, both because of the altitude and the incline, this has meant I’ve spend quite a bit of time hiking on my own and pushing myself to try to keep up with the boys just exhausting myself.
Given we’re now going much much higher I’m going to try to hike with another group and take breaks with them rather than playing catch up and just getting exhausted. I want to enjoy it at the end of the day.
At the top of the climb this morning was a pretty view point of Annapurna 2 and 3. And a lovely lady selling coffee and apple pie. It was dreamy. However a local crow stole our guides packet of biscuits.
We continued up more gradually reaching a highest point of the day of 3900m before continuing on for lunch of dal baht at Ngawal. Some of our hiking companions stayed at this stop for the night to acclimatise.
We continued on to braga where a lot of our other buddies stopped and we carried on for manang for the next two nights. The weather started to close in at this point, getting more cloudy and cold. Just after we arrived in manang it started snowing. Looks beautiful but doesn’t bode well for us getting over the high pass.
If there is snow it’s basically inpassable.
To be honest it doesn’t really bother me if we don’t make the pass, I do trips like this for the journey rather than the adrenaline of doing high altitude stuff. But I think the boys will be disappointed. Plan be will be to get a jeep back to porkara and then head up to Annapurna base Camp instead. Still sounds like a good adventure to me!
Today we hiked 20km and now at an altitude of 3570m
some interesting food. You are absolutely right- go at your own pace, it is not a competition.Lets hope the pass is Ok for you.At least time to acclimatise here and have a bit of a rest. well done, keep goingxx
ReplyDeleteIm surprised your guide hasnt helped you as you are part of a group. he should enable you to rest like the others ad not push yourself to keep up with the boys.
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