After spending two nights at Annapurna Base Camp and trying to keep all my fingers intact as I merrily snapped away during the wee hours, it was time to return home. The first two days were a repeat of my journey into the sanctuary, but at Chomrong we turned west and headed through rhododendron forests and hillsides to Ghorepani. From this village, a pre-dawn hike up Poon Hill yielded magnificent views of 4 mountain ranges: The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Macchapucchre, and Nilgiri. By this time, I was already battling a wicked head cold and getting up the 400m to the top of the hill was draining. My heart and lungs were working so hard I actually wasn't sure I was going to make it. Knowing I was sick, I took it slow and tried not to panic.
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