Blogs from Nepal, Asia - page 19

Samdo (3875m) -Daramsala/Larke Phedi (4460m) A shortish but high trek today worth a fair bit of altitude gain. Breakfast of porridge all around,for the energy, and we were packed and ready to go by 8.00. My boots still wet and squelchy after yesterday’s outing, unsurprisingly there is no drying at sub zero temperatures. It is a fabulous sun drenched morning with fresh snow on the hills around Samdo. The trail took us back along the route we took yesterday for about half an hour before we took the left hand fork and struck out towards Dharamsala. Lots of steep climbs and there’s no such thing as an easy climb at these altitudes. To put it into perspective we’re starting the day at a couple of Hakas above the summit of Mt Cook/Arorangi and only going up ... read more

Sama (3520m) – Samdo (3875m) The walk today was relatively short, only take 2.5hrs, but the altitude is starting to make any climb feel tough and today’s height gain was largely over two short climbs. Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. Up and usual breakfast at 7.00, Arch still not right but starting on antibiotics so hopefully will come good quickly now. Mornings up here are spectacular with sun rising against the mountains and clear blue sky, the price paid for this is that it is also very cold, perhaps -5degC. We left a bit before 8.00 not before McVet had realised his towel was hanging behind his door three nights back and had to return to the tea house for his poles having left them in the courtyard of the tea house. Anyway, good to ... read more

ArchNamrung (2600m) – Sama (3520m) Sama, also known variously as Samagaon or Ryo is 900m above Namrung so we’ll in excess of the recommended daily maximum altitude gain of 300 – 400m. Consequently we need to take it pretty easy and keep an eye on each other for any signs of altitude sickness. Breakfast was a deviation from the norm as the Namrung Fourseasons (yes that really is the name, I presume the trademark attorneys are circling) didn’t have Tibetan bread but did have toast. So we variously had toast, boiled eggs and one omelette washed down with real espresso coffee (two for me!) which interesting was a change from our standard fare but probably not as well received as we had thought. Arch reported in sick and swallowed a couple of Imodium immediately after breakfast, ... read more

Day 9 Lamagaon (3300m)– Lokpa (2240m) A long day that deserves a long blog! Up relatively early and Gordie feeling a fair bit better so decided to make it a big one and try to make up a bit of time. Not sure if we’ll get to Lokpa but thought we’d give it a go. Himal again carried Gordie’s pack so he’s optimistic about how it’ll go. Lots of ups and downs to start with. On the way down one hill came across an area of dead plants. Seems they were wild marijuana, which is prolific here, that Himal thought had been killed off by the local police. These were the only big plants we’ve seen but the sides of track are frequently full of very small plants. Been thinking it would be interesting to rub ... read more