Rain, clouds, leeches, mud; rain clouds, leeches... the never ending cycle is a far stretch from any pre-conceptions I had of a perfect trek, but they have left a groove an inch deep in my memory. All four are synonymous with each other. Generally the Kathmandu Valley trek is relatively easy going and does not require much preparation, compared to say, summiting Everest. After all, the World Heritage location has an elevation no higher than 2800 metres. But with no less than a backpack full of wet, mud-stained clothes, a large collection of photographs depicting various formations of mountain and cloud, and a piece of equipment now only vaguely resembling an umbrella, I am quite convinced that either Saruman exists or I am a conqueror of no ordinary trek. After days of intense studying of the
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