Trip Reports

Latest Annapurna Circuit Report - Oct 2007

Written by Leader Mara Larson, November 2007

Our 22-day Annapurna Circuit trek ended just as it began with sunny skies and relaxation poolside at the Summit Hotel in Kathmandu. In between we were treated to surprising variations in weather conditions these past three weeks. Beginning in Besisahar we followed the Marsyangi river valley through lush green hillsides by day and drifted off to sleep with the sound of evening rain pattering down outside our tents by night. Climbing steadily from maize fields to pine forests to patches of Juniper we arrived for our first rest day in the peaceful hamlet of Manang (3540m) where we were treated to a garden brunch in the middle of a picturesque cabbage patch. Fresh-brewed coffee and blue sky views of the Annapurnas and Gangapurna marked our first morning. In contrast, our second was a winter wonderland of snow! Falling steadily and continuously until dusk, we hunkered down with pots of lemon tea and rounds of card games as the village sat in silent wait for a lifting of the skies. And from here on all the way to the top of the Thorung-La pass, three days and nearly 2000 meters above, we were treated to snow-covered valley views. Jenny, showing exceptional grittiness in our pre-dawn climb to the pass charged ahead in windy, -10 C conditions and huddled down with a cup of tea awaiting our arrival from the comforts of the tea house atop the pass! Ian and Stewart followed shortly after and by mid-afternoon we’d descended to the welcome site of Muktinath and the high and dry plateau. Fresh apple pie, sea buckthorn juice and celebrations for the end of the Dasain holiday complemented our views of Dhaulagiri and the span of the Annapurna Himal rounding out the second half of our trek. A well-timed stop at the Tatopani hot springs soothed aching muscles and made for a lovely setting for swapping stories of the frigid days up high. Back safely in Kathmandu now, its the famed Friday night barbeque here at the Summit to celebrate a strenuous and successful trek. Mara Larson October 29, 2007 « Previous report | Next report »

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