Thanks for an amazing adventure!

Remembering

Annapurna I was the first 8,000+ meter peak ever successfully climbed.  It was first summited by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal of the famous French led expedition on June 3, 1950.  A number of other climbers have attempted Annapurna since the Herzog and Lachenal expedition, but it continues to be one of the world's most difficult 8,000+ meter peaks to climb and one of the deadliest.  Annapurna has the greatest fatality rate of all the fourteen 8,000+ meter peaks with the ratio of 34 deaths per 100 safe returns.  This calculates to about one out of every four people that attempts to summit Annapurna dies trying.  Their deaths are a testament to the challenges and dangers of Annapurna.

"The power of such a mountain is so great and yet so subtle that, without compulsion,
people are drawn to it from near and far, as if by the force of some invisible magnet..."

- The Way of the White Clouds, Lama Anagarika Govinda

Kathmandu

For our last day in Kathmandu, we slept in, had a great buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then finished up our shopping in Thamel.  I got a great $20 knock-off North Face duffel bag to take home all the extra brass bowls, scarves, blankets, and one brass dragon, we had acquired.

Hotel Marshyangdi

The day after the trek, we flew out of Pokhara back to Kathmandu.  It was very nice to have the extra night in Pokhara to freshen up and relax after 10 days on the trail.  We had an extra day in Kathmandu as well which was nice to take in a few more sights and finish up on some shopping in Thamel.  If you stay at the Hotel Marshyangdi, try The Hub for dinner.  It is just around the corner and has some great cocktails and food.

Atithi Resort and Spa

For our first night after the trek, we stayed at the very nice and decadent Atithi Resort and Spa.  It was great to finally get a shower and to put our shoes on while sitting on the bed rather than hunching over in the tent.  We had a celebratory beverage and then devoured our dinner and fell into bed.  Job well done!

Nayapool

The trek ends in Nayapool (3,510') where we boarded our bus for the transfer back to Pokhara.  It was sad to be leaving behind the beautiful people and their amazing countryside.

Namaste - "The light within me bows to the light within you."

Day 10 - Our Crew

One of the best things about an adventure is all the great people you meet.  Our guides and crew were amazing and wonderful people.  Super hard workers and always friendly.  As our guide Badri said, "come as friends, leave as family."  We will always remember the crew behind the scenes that made this trip happen.  Thanks so much to Badri, Manny (my favorite), Purna, Sudhir, Madhu (the cook), Michal (and all the kitchen staff) and, of course, all the porters.  Namaste!

Day 10 - Ghandruk to Nayapool

Our last day on the trail.  Everyone is ready for a shower.  The last day is mostly downhill from Ghandruk (6,365') to Nayapool (3,510'), through birch forests, past terraced hillsides, and down to the Modi Khola for a picnic lunch and a farewell to the crew.  It has been an incredible trip.

Starting Elevation:  6,365 feet
Highest Elevation:  3,510 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  308 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  3,678 feet

Total Miles:  8.65 miles
Total Time:  4.5 hours

Temperature Range:  48-76 degrees

Quotes of the Day: "Farewell, my friends," and as Frank would say, "Let's get off this f***ing mountain!"

Day 9 - Chumrung to Ghandruk

Day 9 starts with another downhill trek from Chumrung (7,120') to the Chumrung Khola, over a suspension bridge, and then back up the other side through rhododendron and bamboo forests, past the villages of Sinuwa Danda and Bamboo, and finally to Dovan (8,220').  Definitely another epic day.  Today's summary - lots of up, lots of down, a village tour, and an enchanted forest.

Starting Elevation:  7,120 feet
Highest Elevation:  8,105 feet

Camp Elevation:  6,365 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  2,450 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  3,043 feet

Total Miles:  9.21 miles
Total Time:  6.5 hours

Temperature Range:  45-70 degrees

Quote of the Day: "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha." 

Day 8 - Bamboo to Chumrung

Day 8 was another up and down day as we hiked from Bamboo (7,660') down to the Chumrung Kohla and back up 2,000 stairs for second visit to Chumrung (7,120').

Starting Elevation:  7,660 feet
Highest Elevation:  8,430 feet

Camp Elevation:  7,120 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  1,771 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  2,260 feet

Total Miles:  7.87 miles
Total Time:  4.5 hours

Temperature Range:  34-58 degrees

Quote of the Day: "Remember, this is your time." 

Day 7 - Annapurana Base Camp to Bamboo

After a wonderful and frigid time at the Annapurna Sanctuary (13,550'), it was time for our swift retreat to Dovan, and then on to the village of Bamboo (7,660').  We hiked down more than 6,400' and I fondly refer to this day as the "day from hell death march down."

Starting Elevation:  13,550 feet
Highest Elevation:  13,550 feet

Camp Elevation:  7,600 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  553 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  6,430 feet

Total Miles:  14.5 miles
Total Time:  7:45 hours

Temperature Range:  19-54 degrees

Quote of the Day: "Last chance to get a helicopter ride out of here!"

Day 6 - Annapurna Base Camp

It is hard to choose just one photo of the Annapurna Sanctuary.  The views in every direction are stunning.  But, this one of Annapurna South is my favorite.

"The mountains had bestowed on us their beauties, and we adored them with a child's simplicity and revered them with a monk's veneration of the divine."  

         - Maurice Herzog

Day 6 - Machapuchare to Annapurna Base Camp

Today was the ultimate day as we made our final climb from Machapuchare Base Camp (12,140') to the Annapurna Sanctuary (13,550').  It was a freezing cold start to the day, but the scenery was spectacular.  The 360 degree views at ABC are worth every step.  Today's summary is big payoff. 

Starting Elevation:  12,140 feet
Highest Elevation:  13,550 feet

Camp Elevation:  13,550 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  1,363 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  18 feet

Total Miles:  2.75 miles
Total Time:  2.15 hours

Temperature Range:  18-42 degrees

Quote of the Day: "I'm not mad.  I'm just disappointed."

Day 7 - Machapuchare Base Camp

Today was a big day hiking from Dovan to Machapuchare Base Camp (12,140').  You can definitely tell we are gaining elevation as the air feels thin and cold.  They actually have wifi all the way out here!  One more day to Annapurna Base Camp.

Day 5 - Dovan to Machapuchare Base Camp

Today was an epic and glorious day as we climbed steep terrain from Dovan (8,220') to Machapuchare Base Camp (12,140').  We passed a lot of waterfalls, crossed many rivers, and gained nearly 4,000' in elevation.  The camp at Machapuchare is cold, but the views are awesome.  Today's summary is glacial streams and elevation gain as the real cold begins.  

Starting Elevation:  8,220 feet
Highest Elevation:  12,140 feet

Camp Elevation:  12,140 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  4,120 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  437 feet

Total Miles:  11 miles
Total Time:  6.5 hours

Temperature Range:  22-47 degrees

Quote of the Day: "The reality is I didn't have any underwear on."

Day 4 - Chumrung to Dovan

Another long day on the trail, but through gorgeous country.  Day 4 starts with another downhill trek from Chumrung (7,120') to the Chumrung Khola, over a suspension bridge, and then back up the other side through rhododendron and bamboo forests, past the villages of Sinuwa Danda and Bamboo, and finally on to Dovan (8,220').  We passed a lot of horse trains today. The camp at Dovan is chilly.  Today's summary is waterfalls, forests and elevation gain. 

Starting Elevation:  7,120 feet
Highest Elevation:  8,430 feet

Camp Elevation:  8,220 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  2,851 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  1,890 feet

Total Miles:  9.31 miles
Total Time:  6.10 hours

Temperature Range:  33-56 degrees

Quote of the Day: "Does your family know you are a vegetarian?"

Day 3 - Landrung to Chumrung

The summary for Day 3 is bridges and stairs.  We started the day with a short downhill walk to the Modi Khola River (4,594') and then crossed the river on a huge metal suspension bridge.  After making it across the river, it was time to start heading back up the other side through the rhododendron forests, terraced hills, and our final destination of the day at Chumrung (7,120').  The trail is amazingly green and lush and we can't get enough of the gorgeous terraced hillsides. 

Starting Elevation:  5,134 feet
Highest Elevation:  7,120 feet

Camp Elevation:  7,120 feet

Total Elevation Gain:  3,056 feet

Total Elevation Loss:  1,436 feet

Total Miles:  8.75 miles
Total Time:  5.2 hours

Temperature Range:  49-65 degrees

Quote of the Day:  "Let me lick it" - Patty's new trail name.