Annapurna circuit, part 2

20.11.2019
@Nepal 🇳🇵

day 61

24.10.2019

Today, we declare a “go at your own pace day”, so that we can listen to some music and walk alone for a bit (also because I had way too much energy in the morning and could not wait to get on walking). Weather kept on being amazing as it has been since the beginning of the trek, and the landscape becomes more and more surrealist. Giant mountains surround us permanently, as we cross rivers, dry grass fields, dense forests and joyful villages.

Today, while walking, Lena met Alex, a “Spanish guy” that was hiking alone on the trek. From there on (spoiler alert) we grouped together to form a merry band of hikers from all over Europe 😁The day ended up in upper Pisang, where we met Mariana, Boy and Shrada again for some more fun evening shared moments! We feel quite fit after getting there, so we decide to hike up to visit the temple, and then continue our ascent on small paths towards a viewpoint higher on the mountain side. There, alongside a pack of yaks, a magnificent sunset appears, and nature once agains bewitches us with her beauty. Today was one of the most scenic day since we began discovering this region.

Day	From	To	Distance	Positive elevation	Altitude change	Time
5	Chame	Upper Pisang	14.5km	600m	+600m	5:00

25.10.2019

Big day! We started full of energy, but quite fast we get to a steep slope towards Gyaru that really kills us. The air feels thin as it enters our lungs, and we have to stop several times, out of breath, trying to understand what is happening to us. Our body is a bit clumsy, and feels like evolving in slow-motion. That’s the first real physical challenge in high altitude that we face. But we’re brave and power through it, sweaty and focused. Again, the view from up here is wonderful. We can’t get enough of it, and I use a lot of my camera battery to capture it.

The rest of the trek is a quite easy way up to Braka. This little village just before Manang will be a perfect stop for us, less crowded then the town. Also, we’ll depart from here tomorrow towards the ice lake for our acclimatization day. We’re tired. Fucking tired. Today the hot shower has a slight taste of victory.

Day	From	To	Distance	Positive elevation	Altitude change	Time
6	Upper Pisang	Braka	17.5km	840m	+140m	5:00

26.10.2019

Let’s head up to the ice lake! What a big day. We were not expecting this, but we head up into a steep slope that goes up to the lake, uninterrupted, for a vertical elevation total of 1.2km. We’re in pain, exhausted, draining our mental and physical strengths to get to the top of this. The way itself is not a big difficulty, but the altitude transforms it in a trial of endurance and mental resolve. Everybody in our team finally gets up there, and enjoy the magic feeling of being on the top of the world. This place is a beauty for the eyes, and coupled with the satisfaction of the trek, smiles are on the faces of everybody.

We share our snacks on top, sitting to avoid the cold wind, and slowly start our way down in a quite exhausting way down through rocky steep paths. Tonight the meal tastes amazing again, shared with friends as we play cards in a very joyful mood!

Day	From	To	Distance	Positive elevation	Altitude change	Time
7	Braka	Braka Ice Lake	5km	1200m	+0m	6:00

27.10.2019

The first thing we experience today is sadness. Shrada, Mariana and Boi will be leaving towards the Tilica Lake, as we continue our way towards the Thorong La pass. Time to say goodbye, even tough we don’t really want it. I’m sure we’ll meet again someday, somewhere, and I’m glad our paths crossed in this magical place.

Today is our break day. We enjoy a lazy morning, walk up to Manang, walk around to discover the city. We gather energy and rest, to be perfectly ready for the push towards the pass.