Archive for the 'Himalayas' Category

As we walked along we passed many lodges. These varied in size from a few rooms through to some with thirty or more rooms. The standard of the buildings varied greatly too, from dilapidated, tired buildings desperately in need of a lick of paint and some major repairs through to new looking, very inviting, well maintained lodges. One that caught my eye from a photographic viewpoint was the evocatively named Yak and Yeti Lodge. We didn’t stop there so I know nothing about it. Made a lovely photo however.

Yak and Yeti Lodge

As we approached the village of Monjo we could hear a very musical chinking sound coming up the valley. It was a building site with dozens of labourers chipping away at the rocks shaping them into building bricks. Like so many things in Nepal, building sites are very labour intensive.

Building site, Monjo Nepal

Between Monjo and Namche Bazar, Nepal

After the steep drop down the valley from Namche Bazar we followed the river valley through to the village of Monjo. Here the walking was generally easier and I was able to relax fully for the first time since the trek had begun. It was also the longest day of trekking as we went from Namche Bazar all the way ot Phakding, stopping only at Monjo for lunch.

Near Monjo, Nepal

By now I was developing a rhythm of walking for a few minutes, then stopping for a photograph or to take in the surroundings. I was far more relaxed and able to enjoy everything I saw. I no longer attempted to keep up with the others in the trekking group but set my own pace. The breathing was also getting far easier as we lost altitude.

Related articles:

• Trekking down from Namche Bazar – excerpts from my journal written during my trek.

• Trekking towards Phakding, Nepal – further excerpts fom my travel journal written during the trek.

When you go trekking in the Himalayas in Nepal expect to cross a few suspension bridges. If you don’t like suspension bridges, then I suggest you go somewhere else for your holiday. Suspension bridges are a part of life in the mountains of Nepal. Without them, trekking would be so much more difficult, and in some places, impossible. A great deal of effort has been expended over the years in establishing a safe and secure method of crossing the rivers and deep gullies in this region.

Suspension Bridge, Nepal

I did not realise how high some of these bridges were at the time. It was only when I returned home and looked at photos like the one above that I realised some of them were very high above the rocks and water.

None of the bridges really worried me, but I was still a little cautious crossing them. Overall, I regarded it as all part of the Great Adventure.

The climb to Namche Bazar is cruel to the unprepared and unrelenting for everyone. The climb back down the valley is also fraught with problems. Going downhill, one has to be very careful to avoid tripping on rocks, slipping on gravel, twisting an ankle or falling on to rocks. There are sections of the path that are relatively easy walking, but there are other sections which are quite hazardous. The paths were also very dusty when we were there, and it helped to wear a scarf or handkerchief over the nose and mouth. Still the fine dust penetrated and clogged the nose, made the throat parched and settled in one’s lungs.

Near Namche Bazar, Nepal

We trekked in the dry season, but there was still quite a deal of water around. Many small gullies have permanent water flows. The gullies in permanent shade sometimes have water flowing over the path and some of this water is frozen. On one occasion my daughter, who was some 20 metres in front of me, turned to warn me about the ice on the track. I stepped very carefully but the inevitable happened.

I fell.

Before I hit the ground, two of the guides had grabbed me and saved me from serious injury. I was shaken, but very grateful for their vigilance. They certainly looked after us.