Spring 2010 Langtang trekking

Seven enthusiastic trekkers from Edmonton descended on Kathmandu in mid March to experience trekking and the culture of Nepal. After arriving in the international airport, they were loaded on a bus and taken to the area of Thamel in central Kathmandu. Learning not to drink the water nor brush teeth from the taps was the first order, but after a good sleep and a breakfast in the hotel, they were ready for whatever the day presented. This included dust, noisy cars, rickshaws, taxi, dogs, people hawking wares, diesel fumes, street food cooking, bicycles, spitting and discovering some surprisingly good coffee!

After gaining their bearings over several days, touring Swayambunath (monkey temple) and a bit of shopping, everyone loaded up the bus and endured an 8 hour joint-rattling ride to Dhunche. The days became fairly routine with packing up, eating breakfast, trekking, stopping for tea, meeting locals, taking photos, and really enjoying the scenery which is very beautiful. Arriving most days at our destination mid-day, or mid-afternoon, allowed for time to do yoga, wash some socks & underwear or to have a tea and a nap. Dinner was usually done by 6pm and we were taking another breakfast order for the next day. Off to brush teeth, read and into the sleeping bags for most everyone by 8pm and a nice long sleep, interrupted only by visits to the toilet (too much tea!) or by barking dogs nearby.

Some spectacular views enjoyed by Isobel, Deb, Don, Gary, Steve, Donna and Kay were Langtang Lirung (7219m), Langshisa Ri, the Ganesh Himal, mountains at the Tibet border and as far west as the Annapurnas. What a fun group to trek with. Good humor, lots of stories, trekking hours on the trail, sharing interesting conversations, and good food in most areas helped everyone to connect. (oh yeah, Don, where's your lens cap?) Everyone was flexible, adapted and became very comfortable with the various conditions each day presented. Some special comforts of the trail included a portable toilet, a gallon jug of hand wash, pounds of missionaries (prunes,) and more toilet paper than most of the shops carried! The best extra was the peanut butter, of course. I carried far more than I really needed - adding a solar charger, iPod, Via coffee packets, unnecessary layers, and more books than I could read in a few months.

Well, everyone survived the elevations at Kyangjin and Gosainkunda lakes, as well as the intense sun. With good memories of trekking days on the trail, peeling noses, and a desire for a good shower (for some a bubble bath was desired, but alas, not very available!) we arrived back in Kathmandu surviving another bumpy 8 hour ride and set sights on the Hindu and Buddhist temples, the city of Bhaktapur and more last minute shopping in Kathmandu. On April 3, we loaded the mini-bus and headed for the airport. The next hurdle was getting all that gear through security and I am sure customs in Vancouver was a breeze.  To my group: thanks to you all for a fun time in Nepal, and hope to see you in 2011 on the ABC trek.
Namaste,
Neil