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| Annapurna Base Camp |
It is hard to put into words what it feels like to first see the Himalayas. They are truly the most awe-inspiring natural wonder I’ve ever experienced and probably ever will. The enormity both in height and expansiveness (they simply seem to go on forever) is breathtaking, impossible to comprehend, and insane. It’s easy to understand why the locals have revered them as gods and goddesses for millennia. We found ourselves speaking to them as such, and frequently thanking them for their benevolent nature towards us in our travels.
After Pokhara, the rest of our month in Nepal was comprised of two parts: an 11 day trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and a trip to the Everest region for a visit with Sagarmatha herself (Sagarmatha is the Nepalese name for Everest which translates to Goddess of the Sky).
Quick aside: we spent a few days in Kathmandu at both the start and end of our trip and really enjoyed it! As the reputation goes, we found it extremely backpacker-friendly and pleasantly hectic, though compared to Egypt and, more recently, India, we weren’t the least bit fazed.
Our trek to ABC
After weeks of contemplation, mainly in regards to timing and our own endurance (both mental and physical), we decided to commit to an 11 day trek to Annapurna Base Camp. It was challenging but so so rewarding. We made it to base camp with the help of our guide Kaji and two amazing porters, Hem and Anil. Everyday we woke up to tackle yet another roller coaster of steps across the Himalayan foothills, to say "Namaste" about a hundred times to the trekkers we pass along the way, to eat fried rice and garlic soup, and to feel accomplished when Kaji informs us that we've made it to our next village destination.
Dhan'yavād (thank you) to the mountains that became our companions and to our motley crew that made it possible.
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| Leaving Pokhara for 11 days |
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Selfie with our guide Kaji
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Lodge Night 1
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Night 1 by the fire
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End of Day 1 - Ghandruk |
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| Our guide Kaji leading the way |
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| End of Day 3 - Dovan |
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| Obligatory Reading |
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End of Day 4 - Deurali
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| Avalanche Warning |
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The final stretch to ABC
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| We made it! |
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Lots of card games were played
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Snowed in
 | End of Day 5 - Annapurna Base Camp
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Sunrise
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Our Crew
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End of Day 6 - Himalaya (the town)
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| End of Day 7 - Chomrong (again) |
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| Baby goats on the way |
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Make way for donkeys
 | End of Day 8 - Tadapani
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| Rhododendrons in bloom |
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End of Day 9 - Ghorepani
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| Sunrise at Poon Hill |
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View from our room
 | End of Day 10 - Ulleri
 | Alix tries being a porter
 | End of Day 11 - that's a wrap!
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Sagarmatha
Many of the peaks surrounding Everest are considered more stunning in the aesthetic sense. But there’s just something about Everest - she is a gravity well, of course both literally due to her mass and figuratively for our attention. I can’t say I understand the desire to summit her but I do understand the desire to be near to her.
I read several books about climbing Everest while we were in the Himalayas. One climber I read about got all the way to the top but refused to stand on her summit out of respect for the mountain. That story makes sense to me.
Reese and I were incredibly lucky to get an up-and-close visit via helicopter. It was easily the coolest, most amazing experience I have ever had. The helicopter dropped us off at Hotel Everest View where we popped a bottle of champagne for brunch while continuing to admire Sagarmatha and stayed for two nights to enjoy the region.
A few months out and I hope to return one day - still feeling that gravity well from afar.
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| Luka Airport |
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The runway
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| Prayer Wheels |
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| You're very welcome! |
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Even the local Irish pub has prayer wheels
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| Helicopter Views |
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| Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp |
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| There she is! |
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| Flying down from Everest |
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| Hotel Everest View |
