Bhutan, Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas
October 5-27, 2011
NEPAL - October 13-27, 2011
Page Five - Annapurna Range
We flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara where we boarded a van to take us to the Annapurna area. In Pokhara, we left our regular suitcases
at the trekking office and retained the small green travel bags the tour company had sent to us. North of Pokhara and extending to the Tibetan border,
the Annapurna Conservation Area includes the Annapurna peaks, the famous Annapurna Sanctuary, and other areas.
After driving to a trailhead, several Nepali women
were waiting for us to carry our green bags and the food intended for us in baskets,
while we hiked to Gurung Lodge with daypacks. The woman
shown here we met along the way.
Note the heavy load she is carrying using the strap around her head to carry her load. We had mixed feelings about the Nepali women carrying our
green bags and food. We realized though that this is income that they need.
Water buffalo we saw hiking to Gurung Lodge
One of the cabins at Gurung Lodge in the mountains. Each cabin contained 2 separate units. We stay here 3 nights. Each morning, lodge staff would come
to wake us up at 6 AM and offer us coffee or tea. We sat out on the porch sipping our coffee or tea each morning and watched the sun rise over the
Annapurna Range mountains that we could see from the porch and the grounds of Gurung Lodge.
What a wonderful sight. We were lucky that each morning,
it was clear enough to see
the views in front us.
The first morning there were some clouds around the mountains. Directly across from my cabin above the Modi Khola River Valley where we were was
Annapurna South (23,684 ft.), Annapurna I (26,545 ft.), 10th highest mountain in the world, and Hiunchuli (21,132 ft.).
Hiunchuli is considered one of the more difficult trekking peaks to climb due to route finding difficulties and dangers from rock fall and seracs.
A serac is a block or column of ice formed by intersecting crevasses on a glacier. Often house-sized or even larger, they are dangerous to mountaineers,
as they may topple with little warning. Even when stabilized by persistent cold weather, they can be an impediment to glacier travel.
Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Hiunchuli
Photo taken while I was relaxing with my coffee from my cabin porch after the sun had been been up for a while.
The changing light on the mountains created a lot of different looks for us. Here's Annapurna South and Annapurna I as the sun is starting to hit them.
To the right of our cabins and behind a small mountain, we could see Machapuchare, which is called Fish Tail Mountain in English. It is revered by the
local population as especially sacred to the god Shiva; therefore, it is off limits to climbing. Its elevation is 22,943 feet.
Annapurna South and Annapurna I
Closeup of Annapurna I after the sun was up
The grounds of Gurung Lodge
Gurung Lodge cabins in the foreground
Machapuchare or Fish Tail Mountain in the distance
The sun is highlighting Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world, as it peeks out behind Annapurna South
Early morning light
Closeup of Annapurna South
Reflection of the mountains in a window of the dining area at Gurung Lodge
Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare
Machapuchare
Machapuchare
A valley between Hiunchuli and Machapuchare opens the way to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
The entire sanctuary was held as sacred to the Gurung people of Nepal, one of the many native people to inhabit the area. They believed it was the
repository of gold and various treasures left by the Nagas, the serpent-gods.The sanctuary was believed to be the home of several deities from Hinduism
and Buddhism, as well the older animistic gods.The peak of Machapuchare, at the entrance, was believed to be the home of the god Shiva,
and the daily plumes of snow were thought to be the smoke of his divine incense. Until recently, the local Gurung people forbade anyone from bringing
eggs or meat into the Annapurna Sanctuary, and women and untouchables were prohibited from going there as well.
In recent years, the number of trekkers to the Sanctuary has increased substantially, in part because the Sanctuary forms the base of one of the major
routes to the peaks of the Annapurna range. The Annapurna Sanctuary is now part of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project,
which places restrictions on number of outside travelers, gathering of firewood, and domestic animal grazing.
The Sanctuary is a high glacial basin lying directly north of
Pokhara.
Fish Tail Mountain
Jill, Kylee, Pat, Gunilla, and Larry with Annapurna Range mountains in the background. Jill & Larry live in Maryland, Kylee & her husband Mick
live in Washington state, and Gunilla & her husband John live in California. The 5 of us were the active hikers in the group.
Link to Page Six of Nepal - Modi Khola River Valley
Link to Page One of Nepal
Pat's Home Page