Blogs from Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna, Nepal, Asia - page 4

Today we have a big day ahead of us with a huge climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,750 metres) which passes through Ulleri (2,070 metres). There is a ascent of 1000 metres which is mostly uneven stones steps which have been laid by the conservation trust. We have found that climbing these stone stairs is much harder than standard hill walking and were cursing the ‘steps of hell’ as we went. Bicky gave us a tip that walking diagonally whilst climbing helps to ease the strain, it seems to work but looks quite funny as you zig-zag up the mountain. The walk was essentially a climb up the valley wall to get over the other side. It was mostly in sunny conditions to start but then into jungle which was quite cool. No villages in the ... read more

Having seen the mountains from afar in both Shimla and Pokhara, it was now time to get into the heart of the Himalayas. I'd decided to do the Annapurna Sanctuary trek, which would take 12 days to go from Nayapul, via Poon Hill and Machhupuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp, the destination of the trek at 4,130m above sea level. Day 1 - Nayapul to Tikedungha The day started in Pokhara, where my small trekking group assembled for a taxi ride to the starting point of the trek. There would be me and 3 other trekkers - Kirsten from NZ and Lisa and Nina from Sweden. Our guide was Ratna, and our porters were Ratna (#2 - later to become the 'yoga porter') and Gopal (aka 'the laughing porter'), all Nepalese. We drove to the ... read more

It was amazing up there. The Annapurna’s are really something. Early morning views were the most spectacular, as cloud rolled in most days by about 10 or 11am. It made for perfect hiking weather with the cloud cover in the middle of the day. The diverse flora was also incredible. One day hiking in sub-tropical forest and the next in alpine vegetation! The porters are absolutely awesome. This is disciplining the mind at it’s best! I’m glad to say we did not employ the help of a porter to carry our bits along the trek (though it seemed most others did), so although we did not contribute to the livelihood of any porter’s families, we also didn’t contribute to any associated porter knee damage. How do they get up those mountains in thongs is another impertinent ... read more