My second Himalayan adventure: me and my shadow trekking up Yak (oops, Langtang) Valley


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Asia » Nepal
October 28th 2005
Published: November 4th 2005
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(Written at Langtang village)

Going trekking on my own is one of the most different things I have done in this 9-months-long vacation. But well, I am not exactly on my own, I have a shadow. He is always a step behind me. When I stop to catch my breath, to tie my shoe laces or whatever, he stops too. He never speaks because his English is poor, I have to guess when he wants a cigarette break. Yes, my shadow smokes, he also carries my bag and his name is Ram. He's my porter. I feel strange about it, but I don't really have a choice. I would never be able to do this on my own.

This trek that I'm doing is not very popular, I don't meet many people on the way. Luckily I found Peter from Switzerland and his guide RajKumar already on the first night. I might have been really miserable otherwise. Usually they walk faster than me, but anyway I can't walk and talk... and it's nice to have company on the breaks.
And not less important, it’s a beautiful trek. It's time I should mention that too... I'm writing this post at the end of the second day, in Langtang village. The day before yesterday I had a long and bumpy jeep ride from Kathmandu. As bumpy as it was I felt like a princess, I had the jeep all to myself, I lied down in the back and slept. When I didn't sleep I admired the scenery around, green rice paddocks, huge waterfalls, mountains. I stayed the night in an ugly guest house in Syabrubensi, and started to walk early yesterday. The entire route follows the Langtang river, that flows so strongly underneath us. For a day and a half we walked through a forest, opening every now and then to the lovely sun and surrounding views. There are tea-houses on the way. Once you stop for tea, once for lunch, sounds very relaxing? Yes, well, except for the fact that in between we climb and climb and climb, 1000m every day in these first 2 days.

After lunch today, at 3000m, the forest ended and then I finally saw them - yaks! And more yaks! I thought they were smaller but they actually look a bit like a cow, with curly horns. Sweet!
To be continued...



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A stove in our guest houseA stove in our guest house
A stove in our guest house

I found it quiet remarkable - it has fire inside but it has the form of a stove, very smart!
And the dining roomAnd the dining room
And the dining room

That's where we spent all the evenings, the rooms are cold and you only go there to dive into the sleeping bag and sleep!


17th April 2006

Brings Back Memories!
Great pictures! It really reminds me of last fall when I was trekking in Nepal. The yak and the dung-burning stove, hehe. -Dan www.sherpatrek.com

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