Not too long ago, I was in Nepal training hard for Te Araroa. The puppies were put to the test by running and hiking the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary in 12 days.
My adventure in Nepal has begun. The Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT) is in progress, and I’m rocking the whole way in Bedrock Sandals. I’m gaining elevation and the heavy monsoon has made the whole valley lush green and lively. It’s beyond epic.
Tilicho Lake was beyond insane. Tilicho Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is 4,919 m high in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas, in the Manang district of Nepal. Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath peaks in view.
A dream come true. Today (Day 6) I crossed the Thorong La pass of the Annapurna Circuit hike. Thorong La is a summit pass located 5,416 metres (17,769 ft) above sea level in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, in central Nepal. Crossing off an item from the bucket list.
Sometimes, you can witness such beauty only if the Mountains allow you to. My first day at ABC was a disaster, with complete cloud cover and zero visibility. Decided to wait a day when everyone else left the camp. Here’s the view I was gifted by Annapurna I the next day. An extremely humbling, peaceful and out-of-this-world experience. No one would believe that this is one of the world’s deadliest mountains.
Was like Walter Mitty the last few days. Swam in one of the highest lakes (Tilicho) in the world, played volleyball with the locals, saw blue sheep and a snow leopard stalking them, and crossed the Thorong La pass (5416m / 17768 ft). 5 days and 155.75 km in. Onto the next destination now. More pics later!
I was the only trekker at the Tilicho Lake base camp on Friday. Started the hike early Saturday and had Tilicho Lake all to myself. A high-elevation lake at 16,237ft overlooking Tilicho, Nilgiri, Khangsar and Muktinath peaks. I even swam in the lake for a couple of minutes. Glad that I made the side trip to Tilicho Lake on my way during the Annapurna Circuit.
Dal Bhat Tarkari. This is what is powering me to crush all those miles and mountain climbs day after day.
This dish, Dal (lentils) Bhat (rice), Tarkari (curried veggies) has its roots in the Himalayas of Nepal. This dish, which is totally plant-based nutrition, is what fuels climbers in the most strenuous environment in the world: carbs, protein, fiber, vegetables, vitamins, and spices. It is the most perfectly balanced meal.
Like the locals say, “Dal bhat power, 24 hour.”
It’s so much fun to do things that people say you can’t do. I covered in a day what is usually a three-day hike, all the way from Tadapani to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. 22 miles with several thousand feet of elevation up the Himalayas in pouring rain.
Hope the weather clears for some stunning views tomorrow.
God’s delays are not His denials. The weather was bad yesterday and I decided to wait. So glad I did. I witnessed THE MOST beautiful sunrise of my life. So in awe of the Creator and His creation. It’s going to take a while for me to recover from this Mountain Overdose, though I never want to recover. Onto the next destination.
(Annapurna South, Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) in view.)
I’m deeply humbled. Completed the Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT) and the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek (ABC) in 12 days, 312 km (194mi).