High on Yak cheese

Hello!!!  This time from Manang at 3500 meters.... can you tell the altitude is getting to me?? :)  Yesterday we trekked all day  from Pisang in heavy, falling snow and now where we are is as white as the mountain peaks all around us. I still cannot believe i am doing this, in just three days we will be crossing the famous Thorung La pass at 5400 meters then descending back down 1500 meters that very same day. Am i freaking crazeeee??!!!  Hahaha. no it it okay, we are all doing great and in great spirits. Everyone is adjusting very well to the altitude and to the cold - by now i am wearing ALL my layers, and at night it is quite toasty in the sleeping bag.  We are eating well and drinking 3 - 4 liters of water/day PLUS the yak cheese sandwiches here are very good!!! mmmmmm.  Yak cheese + chocolate cake + ginger lemon tea = happy me.  Next time I write it will be probably from the holy city of Muktinath, after the big Pass ... wish me luck!!!  See you on the other side!!

Hello hello from Chame!

Hello from Chame, day 4 of the trek so far, and the first village we've passed with Internet - broadband no less!!!  Everything is great great, we are a perfect happy unit of 6 = 3 Americans + 3 Nepalis including our porters and guide who speak good english and are great company.  We are averaging about 6 - 8 miles a day and have gained about 1500 meters so far. Its getting colder and windier as we go but the views also keep getting better and better.  Today we saw snow capped  mountain peaks for the first time and Mahendra our guide says we will be able to see Annapurhna II in the morning from our lodge in Chame.  The accomodations are bare (spartan?) but sufficient and the hearty meals more then make up for it. We are eating lots of dal bhat, tibetan bread, vegetable curry and drinking lots of sweet, milky milk tea!!!  I was worried when we started because the first few days have been tough but now feeling full of optimism and excitement and also more strength from the trekking we've done so far.  Tomorrow Pisang!



Much love,
Karen