Trek Diary – Never mind the weather, never mind the rain!

Day 3 - Saturday 15^th September 2012

Ghorepani (2850m) to Tadapani (2630)

 

We woke to rain. Today was to have been a very early rise to trek to Pun Hill for the sunrise view of the mountains – it was to be our first view of them. It was not to be! We farewelled Yong, Ken and John in the rain. They are heading in a different direction to us.

 

Beautiful bub at our Ghorepani Guesthouse wondering what the tourist is up to

If it stopped raining at any point during the day, it wasn’t for long. It was quite cool but it warmed up quite noticeably once we were walking. We climbed up on to a ridge straight after Ghorepani, followed it for some way then stepped down into a narrow gorge. We were now walking in the rhododendron forests. We crossed the river at the bottom and, towards lunch time, climbed once again out of the gorge.

 

Ginger tea time at Gurung Hill in the midst of the Rhodedenron Forest - still raining!

Lunch at Banthanti - still raining!

After lunch we had our most treacherous stretch. Downhill mud! The stone path had disappeared. It was non existent. I guess the distance wasn’t that great but we had a tough time of it. Thank goodness for walking sticks and Ram, ready to catch me should I slip. Ram guided me through the worst section. The horror stretch ended at another river crossing and it was then into our last climb of the day.

We stayed at the Super View. The shower, although outside and across a wet courtyard, was hot and the fire in the dining hall warm and inviting. Late afternoon the weather looked to be clearing. We glimpsed the hills in the distance and the valley below. Fingers crossed for a break in the rain. Today we trekked for six hours, six hours in the rain and covered between 8 to 10 kilometres. Can’t be more accurate than that – guide opinions vary. 

 

 

The hills are emerging - there are mountains behind them but we can't see them yet - still raining!



Day 4 – Sunday 16^th September

Another day in Tadapani

 

The rain bucketed down all night. The owner of our lodge claims that the gods are angry and hence the bad weather. We have a spare day in our itinerary and we have opted for a rest day. Can’t face another day of being wet, cold and sloshing through mud, It is supposed to start clearing tomorrow if you can believe long range weather forecasts. The prayers are being sent out. Hope to dry out some of our gear and rest the muscles.