Day 9 - Bamboo to Jhinu (Hot Springs)

“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul”
Democritus

We awake to another beautiful day in Nepal. Today we will hike to Jhinu which is where the famous hot springs are. Looking forward to relaxing in some hot water. Our travels will take use back through Sinuwa, Chhomrong then onto Jhinu. After breakfast we hit the trail at our usual 7AM start. We arrive in Sinawa by 9:30AM. We stop and have a bit of tea and enjoy the beautiful views which, will soon vanish from site as we hike out. Donna gets some coconut crunchees which have become sort of a staple treat for us ever since Ryan (our oldest son) and I had them on our last trek to Everest and Annapurna Circuit. On those treks every time we reached a summit Govinda, our guide, would have a few packs of them. They tasted so good so we continued to get them on this trek. 

Back on the trail

 Coconut Crunchees

Prayer Flags in Sinawa

Heading on we reach Chhomrong by 12:30PM and we stop at a German Bakery for some Apple Strudel and Chocolate Croissants. We then stop for lunch at the lodge we stayed at on our way up to ABC.  After lunch we eat some of the pastries we got at the bakery.  They are really good.

Chhomrong

Working the land

Store owner on the way into Chhomrong



Should have ridden one of these up to ABC

My future home

Steps on the way into Chhomrong

Beehive

Nice view of trail leading into Chhomrong 

German Bakery



Beans drying in the sun

Wonder how much it weights?

This little guy wanted to take my picture

How cute is this guy.  Love the shirt

By 1PM we reach Jhinu and check into the Hot Spring Cottage. It’s a fairly new place and we get a room with a private bath. How sweet is that? No time to waste as we head on down to the hot springs which is another mile or so hike from here. Myself, Donna and Ram venture down. Once their you must take a shower before getting into the pool. There is a guy who maintains this area and enforces some rules to keep the place clean and organized. Great idea!! There is also a 50 rupees charge to enter. The pools lie next to the Modi Khola (river). I am the only one who goes in. The pools are just amazing and relaxing. We also run into some of the other trekkers we met up at ABC. We talk and bit then head back to our lodge. 

Village of Jhinu

Our room - sweet!

Shower before going into hot spring

Feels great!!

Hot springs at Jhinu 

Tom and Jos Graignic

We filter some water, wash some clothing, then play some Farkel. Later we have diner with French artist Jos Graignic who was just a delight to talk to. After some late night tea we head to our room for the night.

Today’s hiking totals were 6 hours, 6.2 miles (10 Km), elevation loss of 2000 ft (610 m). The trail goes up and down three time, first out of Bamboo the trail climbs about 700 ft (213m) before going down 2000 ft (610m) to cross the Chhomrong Khola (The term "khola" means river). Then up 1200 ft (366m) to Chhomrong before going down 1600 ft (488m) to Jhinu. 

 

Keep the faith, Donna and Tom 

Day 8 - Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo

“Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.”  Henry David Thoreau

I managed to wake up at 2AM, go outside and capture a few pictures of Machhapuchhare bathed in the full moon light. It was cold, around 10F (-12C). Setting up my tripod/camera is always a challenge when it’s cold. I only stayed outside for about 30 minutes. It was such a humbling sensation standing quietly in this vast landscape with nothing but the moon shinning down. Once back inside my warm sleeping bag I would only manage a few more hours of sleep before waking to catch the sunrise on the Annapurna range.
 

Moon Light on The Mountains

First Light on Annapurna I

Sun Rise on Annapurna South and I

Today I felt really awake. It was so magical being in this place. Govinda asked if we wanted to stay another day. I agreed but, Donna was cold and wanted to start back down. So we had breakfast and started the trek out at around 7:15AM.

Heading back down from ABC

Sun Rise from behind Machhapuchhare

Going down is much easier than going up. We hit a few places that were very icy and we had to be very careful navigating across. The scene down was nice and we got some better perspective views of the narrow gorge leading into this area. It is another beautiful sunny day and it’s getting warmer as we hike down.

View of the gorge leading in and out of ABC

Another view of the gorge

We reached Deurali by 10AM and stop for some tea.

Tea in Deurali

Deurali

Continuing on we stop at Himalaya at 11:15AM for lunch. We get together with some of the people we met at ABC. After eating and resting we set off for our final leg of today, Bamboo, which we reach by 2:15PM.

Dal Bhat in Himalaya

Fellow trekker Sim Singh from San Francisco

Michel Brisset from France

The lodge has a TV which is something that is rare on the trek. We also get our first news of the destructive hurricane, Sandy, that hit the eastern part of the USA. We live in that part so we had some concern about our family and home. What a sense of isolation you have when trekking with limited access to the outside world. We also saw some children playing video games, just like back home.

Our lodge in Bamboo

Watching some TV

Playing a video game

Donna writting in her journal

Sending some peace from Nepal

Govinda watching the video game

The temperature was warmer down here so we are looking forward to a comfortable nights sleep.

Donna all snuggled up in her sleeping bag

Today’s hiking totals were 7 hours, 12.2 miles (19.6 Km), elevation loss of 6000 ft (1829m).
Peace and Love, Tom and Donna

Day 7 - Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.” Buddha

I wake early but, let Donna sleep a little longer. By 6AM she is up and wants to have some coffee and breakfast. After eating she feels much better and said I can make it to ABC. I always knew she would do it. Govinda agrees to carry her back pack to lighten her load. By 7AM we are off on the final leg to the top. Little chilly but, looks like it will be another beautiful sunny day.

Sunrise behind Fish Tail

The trail goes steadily up for the first 3.5 miles (5.6Km) gaining 1700 ft (518m) until Machhapuchhare Base Camp, elevation 12205ft (3720m). The trail turns left and takes a nice gentle slop gaining 1345ft (410m) the final 2 miles (3.2Km) to Annapurna Base Camp, elevation 13550ft (4130m).

Machhapuchhare Base Camp

The views going up this final leg are magnificent. We begin to get panorama views all around that include Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail).

The view in front of me

The view behind me

Just beautiful

Trekking to ABC

Annapurna South

Our lodge under Annapurna South

By 11AM we reach ABC. We both feel that this was a pretty easy hike compared to yesterday. The day is wonderful with blue skis fairly warm, about 45F (7C), no wind.

ABC we made it!

Our lodge is in the lower left hand corner, Annapurna South left, Annapurna I right

It’s amazing to be completely surrounded by 6000m (20,000ft) peaks and the only way into this area is through the gorge we just hiked. It’s an unusual feeling, realization of being so small yet so significant and connected. An encounter with interdependency? perhaps.


I ran out of words to say

We check into our room, have some lunch, then take a lot of photos. Donna wants to sit and relax but, Govinda, Ram and I hike up along the Annapurna glacier which gives us a great view of the surrounding area.

Donna with some hot tea

Looking back at base camp

Annapurna Glacier

Annapurna High

Prayer Flags

Some people sleep in tents

Returning we sit and talk with other trekkers in the common room. All together we have people from, France, USA, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Australia. Almost like a UN. As the sun starts to set we get some beautiful red colors on the surrounding mountains. We go outside to take a few more photos. Back inside it’s starting to get very cold, freezing, inside.

What a lovely couple

Govinda

Fish Tail at sunset

To get some heat into the room they place a open flame propane heater under the table. It provides a nice bit of heat but, the fumes are terrible. Also not sure it follows any fire safety code. We have our diner, some laughs with all the people then head off to bed.

Having some fun in the common area

I set my alarm for 2AM because it’s a full moon and I may try and get a night picture, if I’m not to cold.

D & T send love and peace

Today’s hiking totals were 4 hours, 6 miles (9.6Km), elevation gain of 3100 ft (930m).

Love and Peace from D & T