Blogs from Gorepani, Nepal, Asia
April 4th 2012
Up at 5AM to make the 45 min trek up to Poon Hill. In the past, I have been so disappointed by anything that required me to get up so early. I have yet to see a sight that was truly worth getting up this early. It had poured rain the day before, but the weather was clear this morning. I wasn't really sure what we were supposed to see from Poon Hill. I thought we were supposed to watch the sunrise, and while we started out in the dark, the sun soon rose and we were only 15 min into a crowded 45 min trek. I struggled with the uphill in the beginning. A lot. And I was secretly wishing I'd just stayed in bed a while longer. I soon understood why so many people ... read more
Day 2 Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - Next Stop Ghorepani
Published: April 28th 2012Asia » Nepal » Gorepani
April 3rd 2012
The pictures in this entry are actually from Day 1 to Tikhedhunga. Got my days mixed up. Pictures from Day 2 are in the last entry titled Day 1 Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Woke up at 6AM again and had our usual - muesli and hard boiled eggs. But once we saw what Nabin and Madhur were having, we decided to have that tomorrow! It was spicy curried potatoes and beans with this gorgeous bread. Will definitely have that tomorrow! We started walking at 7:30. We'd already been warned about the steep uphill for the first 2 hours or so of our trek today. What we didn't realize is that we would actually be going uphill all day! Just not as steep as the beginning. Lucky for us it was perfect trekking weather again and the ... read more
March 19th 2012
When our pockets are emptied and we are eventually forced back to reality, potential employers will no doubt ask what it is I’ve been doing since my graduation; why is there a gaping hole in my employment history? I’ll tell them that, amongst other things, I’ve been hiking. I’ll say it proudly, “Well, to you sir or madam who it may concern, I’ve been hiking in seven different countries thus far”. Is it reasonable to put that on my C.V.? Then perhaps I could remove “playing squash” from the hobbies and interests section, as in all honesty I haven’t actually played squash since I was twelve, but included it to seem more “well rounded”... Well, just look at me now, all rounded out, hiking! “There is no rest for the wicked.” Then I must have been ... read more
October 28th 2011
Tihar is a five day festival celebrated by Nepalis in late Autumn. As luck would have it, I arrived in Pokhara on day two of this colourful, noisy and generous celebration. Tihar means the festival of lights, much like Diwali across the border in India, but the five days of this multi-ethnic celebration all account for different celebrations. Whether the locals are Thakali, Sherpa, Newari or of Indian descent it is a real community event. Day one I was oblivious to as I was crammed into a tiny bus for my eleven hour journey to the city by the lake. Kag Puja, as day one is called is the worship of Crows. The crows are worshipped by offerings of sweets and dishes on the roofs of local houses. The cawing of the crows symbolises sadness and ... read more
March 19th 2010
(Jeff) After a few days of getting oriented, settled, and geared up at a few of Pokhara's ubiquitous outdoors shops, we were ready to set off on yet another fantastic adventure within an adventure; we decided to go on a trek in the Annapurna region of the majestic Himalaya mountain range. We acquired all the necessary permits and a trekking map, checked in with the embassy, packed one bag with our essentials (plus a small daypack full of provisions), and early one morning we caught a taxi then a bus and headed for the hills. We decided on a trek called the Ghorepani - Gandruk loop. We'd read that it was possible to do the trek in 5 days, but it turned out that this was only if one had superhuman hiking abilities, and no interest ... read more
May 11th 2009
11.05.09 - We had decided to do a five day trek to Poon Hill on the basis that the weather isn't that great at the moment (very changeable) and that would leave us with more time to sightsee elsewhere in Nepal. First day started bright and early with a transfer to Nayapul. We were soon walking - something I haven't done outside of a city concept in a while. We stopped for breakfast in Birepani - a really gorgeous town, all cobbled streets and stone houses. During breakfast our porter stopped to consult a yogi - on his way to the breakfast stop, he had been attacked by a bad spirit. Hmmm. Quite a pickle, you might say. Never worry, the yogi chanted, threw water at him and tied a pink ribbon around his neck, then ... read more
July 30th 2008
I’ve only got about 36 hours left in Kathmandu before I start the (incredibly long) journey home. Esther left this morning, and I’m pretty much stuck in the city. We visited Chapagaun yesterday, and I was very lucky to get out of there this morning. The fuel shortages are getting out of control, and there are still lots of strikes going on. But let me back up a bit and talk about my trek. Esther, Sarba (our guide), and I set out for Pokhara early last Tuesday, and spent the night there. We had our last decent meal (though it was pretty sub-par chicken tikka masala), and got ready to leave the next morning. The Baglung bus park is where most trekkers catch buses to their various starting points, but we showed up there on Wednesday ... read more
March 31st 2008
Day 5 - Tadapani to Ghorepani (2,860m) After yet another yummy breakfast we waddled out of the Tea House several pounds heavier and started our trek off up into the forest. Today was a 6 hour trek with lots of up (there's a surprise), but we still had plenty of time along the way to enjoy the views and do a spot of bird watching and plant ID. Every so often we would get a glimpse of the pristine white mountains through the trees and would grab for the cameras yet again. I don't think I could ever tire of these views. It was lovely to enjoy the coolness of the forest and trekking was easier because of it. We were following the path of a river below us and as we started to climb higher ... read more
March 31st 2008
Day 6 - Poon Hill and Ghorepani to Banthanti I was awake early for the start of our VERY EARLY hike up Poon Hill to watch the sunrise. A bleary eyed, head torch wearing group set off in the dark. What a strange sight it was. We discovered that Ghorepani must have a hell of a lot of accomodation as there were what seemed like hundreds of people all processing up the steep stone steps in single file. The steps were huge and it was hard going as there was a pretty important deadline to hit - SUNRISE. So everyone was pushing themselves really hard to make it up in time. Falsh summit after false summit but eventually after a tough 50 minute climb the watch tower came into sight and we all gathered in a ... read more
February 23rd 2008
A week ago I was getting ready to leave to go on my "trek" and, as ever, updated my facebook status before I left, something along the lines of "Lisa is off trekking, which is the same as walking..." This may have been slightly naive, and with hindsight I realise I should maybe have written something like "Lisa is off trekking, which is the same as walking... on a stairmaster - level 12, with hiking boots, 2 pairs of trousers, 4 tops, a fleece, scarf, hat, mittens, carrying a rucksack and in hail and snow". That might have been slightly more accurate. It is really hard not to go overboard with language sitting at a computer screen, but having returned from 5 days trekking, I honestly think it was one of the most memorable weeks of ... read more
