ABC Trek Part II

5/16
Tadapani to Chhomrong

Before sunrise on Tadapani.

No sunrise again, but a great view. Clear enough for the peaks to pop out before the clouds shrouded everything just before sunrise. Today, no chest pains, but now horrible back aches near my right shoulder blade. Oh blah! Luckily, Kevin, one of the HK guys, offered me some patches. I must be 60 I thought but who cares, cooling relief. I parted ways with all of them as they headed to Ghangruk (or Ghandruk) and I to Chhomrong. Took it slow for the back but luckily a mainly decent day. On the way, I even found wild strawberries.

Small but delicious wild strawberries.

Unluckily, I'm almost out of memory. I quickly switched it to a lower picture quality, which didn't last me to Chhomrong anyway. I met a Canadian, Andy, along the way who had just done the circuit in 14 days. This intense guy, Andy, from Canada had trekked from Ghorepani this morning. He pushed me to go faster as I wanted to keep up. Realized from chatting with him that my backache was probably heavily due to the water bottles that I carried on he right side of my front backpack. So ready to dump all my bags away! Drizzles kept coming and going and showers the last 30 mins of the way to Chhomrong. They have computers there, so finally a place to empty my memory card!

A tea house along the way with a storm brewing behind the mountain.

5/17
Chhomrong to Deurali

Good morning Chhomrong!

We got up early and set off by 7. The original plan was to head only to Himalaya but along the way, many people recommended Deurali, which would only be another hour away. We collected another member, Fabian, from Germany along the way. He was originally speeding pass us but stopped for a tea and joined us when he caught up. We let him in on our secret snack: strawberries.

Andy, left, and Fabian, right, with their new  walking sticks.

The walk was great from Sinua and on because of the lack of livestock. No more manure smell the whole way! When we arrived at Himalaya, Fabian met a guy that lived in the same small town as him and only three streets away. I also met the LA guy, Daniel, that I had met on the bus to Nayapul. Small world on this mountain. Off to Deurali with some drizzles. The path turned more rocky with beautiful mountains and waterfalls engulfing us.

View along the way to Deurali.

At the teahouse, we met a group of conservation volunteers, who had come up from Ghandruk. An international combination of USA, Holland, and Germany. They were playing a**hole which inspired us to play cards as well. The night ended with Chinese poker :).

 A man 'shaving'.

5/18
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

View before the clouds roll in.

Today was the first later start day, especially since I didn't pry myself from bed till 7. I was so glad to have left my big bag in Chhomrong. It made hiking up the mountain, where the air continually gets thinner, incredibly easier. Granted I still felt my breathing short considerably from MBC to ABC (imagine only walking but your breathing is the same as when you've been running). There were some beautiful butterflies and birds along the way. Andy was especially excited as a biologist who did field studies involving butterflies.

Following Andy's lead of taking butterfly photos.

When we finally reached ABC, I was so ecstatic. I had doubts when I had those chest pains. I couldn't believe how short acclimating lasts. Early in the afternoon, the clouds started clearing for some great views of the mountain. They coaxed me out of my warm reading spot to take some pictures. Hopefully it'll be clear in the morning for sunrise.

View from base camp when I got out of my warm spot.