This diary continues from ABC Trekking Diary (Day 1-4). Day 5 (June 21, 2012): Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) to Bamboo On June 21, I got up at 4:30 AM, and went outside the lodge. It was about the break of dawn. I was surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Standing in front of my eyes were Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and other Himalayas. It was just an amazing view of mountains. Me at Annapurna Base Camp at dawn (June 21, 2012) 1
Within 10-15 min, however, clouds quickly moved in and covered all the surrounding mountains. I returned to the lodge to have breakfast. I had Tibetan bread (I could eat only half of the bread) and a cup of milk tea. During breakfast, the clouds moved away revealing the mountains. I took the opportunities to take more pictures. Clouds quickly moved in and covered the mountains (June 21, 2012) Annapurna Base Camp (June 21, 2012) Me in the Annapurna Base Camp, against the background of Himalayan mountains (June 21, 2012) 2
Me in the Annapurna Base Camp, against the background of Machhapuchhre (June 21, 2012) South Annapurna Glacier without ice (June 21, 2012) 3
I left the ABC (4130 m) at 7:00 AM to return home: I headed to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). The weather was just great. Walking by the MBC, and through a snow/ice path and misty forest, I arrived at Deurali (3200 m) at 10:45 AM. A lodge in the Annapurna Base Camp (June 21, 2012) Me against the background of Annapurna South (June 21, 2012) Me touching the peak of Machhapuchhre (June 21, 2012) Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) (June 21, 2012) Me against the background of the MBC (June 21, 2012) 4
Views from the path between the MBC and Deurali (June 21, 2012) A snow/ice path between the MBC and Deurali (June 21, 2012) 5
Misty mountain forest and Deurali Guest House in Deurali (June 21, 2012) Between Deurali and Hinku Cave, there was another dangerous snow/ice path. I arrived at Himalaya (2920 m) at 12:20 PM, and Dophan/Dovan at 2:30 PM, where I had a little break. It started raining. I arrived at Bamboo (2310 m) at 3:45 PM. I decided to stay in Bamboo for the night, as it was raining and the next lodge was 2 hours away. I had a cup of black tea to warm up. Dangerous icy path between Deurali and Hinku Cave (June 21, 2012) Me having in a shelter at Hinku Cave (June 21, 2012) 6
Day 6 (June 22, 2012): Bamboo to Kimrong Holangaon I got up at 6:00 AM. Since it was raining, I waited for a while. I left Bamboo at 7:45 AM when the rain stopped. I arrived at Sinuwa (2360 m) at 9:50 AM, and Chhomrong (2170 m) at 12:40 PM. I had lunch at New Chhomrong Guest House and picked up the plastic bag that I left when I headed for the ABC. I left Chhomrong at 1:35 PM and arrived at Kimrong Holangaon (1800 m) at 5:10 PM, where I stayed in Kimrong Guest House for the night. On the bed, I could hear the sound of the river: the Guest House is located by the Kimrong Khola (River). Me and bamboo forest in Bamboo (June 22, 2012) Steep uphill stone stairs between Bamboo and Sinuwa (June 22, 2012) A mountain stream seen between Bamboo and Sinuwa (June 22, 2012) Me having a water break between Bamboo and Sinuwa (June 22, 2012) Me at Sinuwa (June 22, 2012) Me having a tea break in a tea house between Sinuwa and Chhomrong (June 22, 2012) 7
Me looking for a path to Ghandruk (June Day 22, 62012) (June 22, 2012) Me resting in Kimrong Guest House, Kimrong Holangaon (June 22, 2012) Day 7 (June 23, 2012) I got up at 5 AM. After having a cup of black tea, I left Kimrong Guest House at 6:15 AM. Since I could not find a pass to the bridge that crosses the Kimrong River, I walked through a grassy area filled with nasty bloodsucking worms. I arrived at Komrong (2250 m) at 8:15 AM, where I took a tea break and checked my shoes, pants and whole body to make sure there were no leeches on my body. I left Komrong at 8:40 AM, and arrived at Ghandruk (1940 m) at 10 AM. I took a tea break at the Excellent View Lodge; from which no mountains were seen due to thick clouds. I left Ghandruk at 10:50 AM, and arrived at Kimche (1640 m) around 1 PM. Because of on-and-off heavy rain, I took shelter in several tea houses. Near Kimche, I hired a Jeep heading to Birethanti (1025 m). From Birethanti, I walked about 1 hour to Nayapul (1070 m). I arrived at Nayapul at 3:30 PM, where I checked out at the ACAP post. I took a taxi from Nayapul to Pokhara. I returned home about 5 PM. Me against the background of Gurung village at Ghandruk (June 23, 2012) Me checked out at the ACAP post in Nayapul (June 23, 2012) My trekking passport (left) and a ticket for the fee to enter the Annapurna conservation project area (right). 8