Trek Diary - Down Into the Valley of Leeches

Day 5 – Monday 17^th September 2012

Tadapani (2,630m) to Chhomrong (1950m) 

The wind started to blow yesterday afternoon and we had several hours without rain. Me, the eternal optimist – is it going to fine up? No!

 

1oo metres max of flat walking to the next guest house then down, down, down into the walley of ..........

We set out at 10am in the rain – couldn’t delay any longer. Down into the valley of leeches trudged the wet and bedraggled trekkers. God I hate those things. Why on earth were they put on this planet? We were continually flicking them off our shoes but still many made their mark. The ankles copped it in many places. Neil and I both got one on our backs. Ram was wearing thongs so he had them between his toes. I had two on the left ear – one a whopper because it had been there a while before discovery. Made a mess when removed, blood gushing down my face! The thrills of trekking in the rain!

Because of the weather we decided to skip lunch. Probably not a wise decision as I did not get a chance to rest my left knee. Because of the rain and needing to step ever so carefully going down wet and slippery steps there is a fair amount of pressure on the knees. About an hour from Chhomrong it started to ache. After it went on me three times I was having difficulty putting any weight on it. Ram massaged the knee to get me going again. And thank heavens for my trusty friend, Mr Walking Stick.

 

It is such a shame that it is raining. The countryside is so beautiful whlen we get a chance to see it, and Chhomrong is a little gem, perched on the side  of a hill (not a mountain – only hills over 4,000m warrant the name of mountains in Nepal). Stayed at Kalpana Lodge.

 

 

Looking down past the guesthouses to the village of Chhomrong disappearing into the fog.

 

Day 6 – Tuesday 18^th September 2012

Chhomrong (1950m) to Bamboo (2190m) 

Raining! Who’d have thought! It is OK once you have started but the thought of going out into the rain yet again is depressing.

Down, down, down to cross the river below the village. I am facing a lot of demons – suspension bridges that move is one of them, wet slippery steps, the fear of falling on them, another. Over the suspension bridge and up, up, up. Although raining there has not been as much fog today and we have been able to see beautiful valleys, many waterfalls and just as many creeks.

 

Down to the river

 

And up the other side - Chhomrong stretched up the hill on the other side. Our guesthouse towards the top on the left.

 

We dried our boots by a fire in the kitchen last night but it was not long before they were drenched again. Soooooo much rain! In many places the rain was cascading down the steps and you just can’t avoid it. You can’t avoid the mud either. Where there isn’t stone path there is mud. Cow shit can be a problem too. Cows choose the most inopportune spots to defecate.

Lunch stop - Sinuwa (top of opposite hill from Chhomrong)

Looking back to Chhomrong



 

I spoke of demons earlier. Most relate to my poor balance and a fear of slipping. We have had to cross many creeks, balancing on stepping stones, and I am improving. My confidence was also building. But ...... about ¾ hour from Bamboo I came a cropper! A creek crossing was my undoing and no stepping stones – just one large mossy rock and water streaming over it. My boots didn’t/couldn’t grip. Down I came like a sack of potatoes!  I had been going so well. No broken bones – two huge welts on my right arm, a grazed left elbow and possibly a bruised left hip – no bruising yet but tender to touch.

Staying at the Buddha Guest House. There are huge waterfalls above us and we are able to see a relatively clear snow capped mountain. False hopes again? Rain has stopped and clouds are lifting. For how long? At dinnertime we could see a SUNSET!!! It was down through the gorge towards Pokhara. The sun was streaking through the clouds.

 

Across the courtyard to the shower and western toilet

Our room with a view - forest and river 

Everyone is keen to dry clothes

Do we spy a mountain? 

Yes we do! ........... excited!

While eating dinner a kerosene heater was lit and placed in a hole beneath the main table. The heater resembles a camping stove with the gas ring alight. Wire is strung around the table so that clothes and any other wet items can be hung up to dry in the warmth. Our shoes and many others were placed underneath as well. Blankets are tacked to the top edge of the table – to warm your legs? - to keep in the smell of dirty clothes and socks drying? I have no idea but all the lodges on the mountain have adopted the technique. At one stage I lifted the blanket at one end to check on our clothes and found myself face to face with two glistening eyes.

 

Cats always know the warm spots to sit!  

Time for bed. The stars are out. Dare we hope?