The Annapurna Circuit

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June 2nd 2010

Published: June 2nd 2010

The Nepali view the Trans-Himalaya, the high altitude passes and valleys of the world's highest mountain range, with a great deal of reverence. Here the sun will burn exposed flesh within a few minutes, the wind can gust over 100 mph in the afternoons, and snowstorms can appear out of thin air. Someone flown in from sea level to a place like Thorung La (5416 M, 17800 feet) would die from lack of o... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 98, Displayed: 21

Tilicho base camp

with Annapurna ridgeline in background

Base Camp hotel

This picture makes the base camp hotel look nicer than it really was. I discovered that cockroaches are one of the few animals that can live above 4000 meters.

Hike to Tilicho Lake

From the base camp hotel it is a 3-4 hour hike up to the lake. I made the trip on day 9.

Day 9

looking back

Looking back at 4800 meters/15700 feet.

5000 meters

Above 5000 meters/16400 feet is like entering a different world. The sky is piercingly blue, the air unfathomably thin, and there is little evidence of life.

Gangapurna

One of the many peaks of the Annapurna ridge, Gangapurna can be clearly seen from Tilicho Lake.

Deception

At first I thought this was the lake itself. It only made seeing the real lake that much more impressive.

Snowmelt

When the sun shone, it felt warm and you could hear the sound of the snow melting.

Tilicho Lake

Insert Superlative here

Cold

Tilicho lake remains frozen for most, if not all year round.

Windy

The ridiculously strong winds at the lake make my bandana look like a miter.

Tilicho Lake 3

Testing snow depth

As I hiked around the lake I encountered many snowy areas. Here I am testing the snow depth with my trekking poles to see if it is safe to to step across. After realizing the snow here is more than a meter deep I decide to find an alternate route.

Snow!

Above 5000 meters snow is present year round

Tilicho Peak

The lake is fed by snowmelt from Tilicho peak, which at 7100 meters is a part of the Annapurna ridge. This picture is taken from more than 3 miles high.

At the lake

Windy

As the day wears on the winds get even stronger. Once it gets too windy to walk straight I decide its time to head back.

Clouds and Peaks

On the 10th day I leave Base Camp to rejoin the Annapurna Circuit. This time I take the high road to avoid the landslide areas. Once again the views are amazing.

Rocky Slope

4900 M/16,000 feet

Morning clouds

As the morning wears on clouds pour over the ridge.

10th June 2010

Catherine
non-member comment

wow
hey!! great pictures! how is the trekking going? and when are you going to come visit?

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