Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Nepal

(see map) trin: There are many trekking options in Nepal ranging from one to twenty-one days. We considered a few options but after talking with Ramez, another guest in Bandipur, we decided on the ten day trek to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) with a side trip to Poon Hill on the way.

ABC is a teahouse trek meaning we would eat and sleep at guesthouses. Not having to carry food or camping gear gave us the courage to tackle the ten day itinerary. Through our hotel in Pokhara we hired our guide, Ganga Tamang.

The plan was to hike approx. 70 miles, climb to 13,629 feet and sleep in nine different villages in the process.

And we're off

The permit checkpoint in Nayapul has yet to enter the computer age.

Villagers working together to butcher a buffalo for Dasain. Meat was being thrown onto several piles that would be distributed to the different families. I was taken aback by the amount of meat that just one animal provides.

Attacked by small children asking for sweets while climbing from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani.

Mike became a walking clothesline after we would wash key items at night.

Our guide, Ganga, waiting for us to catch up. He always wanted to swap bags with Mike to give him a break saying, "don't worry, be happy." Mike never gave into temptation and carried his large pack the whole way.

All of the teahouses are pretty basic. Most of the time the wall that divided us from our neighbor was a single sheet of plywood. When the guy next door snored or coughed it was like he was right there in bed with us.

Our lodge in Ghorepani felt a bit like a fun house. The hallway had a strange tilt to it.

On our third morning we woke up early and hiked up to Poon Hill in the dark.

Seeing the sunrise light up the entire Annapurna Mountain Range was well worth the effort.

The monsoon trickled into October this year and on the first few days we had cloudy skies and rain in the afternoons.

Hiking through the clouds.

A typical guesthouse exterior. On the patio or in dining hall trekkers would gather and share stories. It was common to see the same people each night.

A clear morning in Chhomrong followed by a rainy afternoon in Bamboo.

Taking refuge and having lunch. I guess the baby goats had the same idea.

The bridges became more and more primitive as we progressed up the trail.

A couple days into the trek, we realized there weren't going to be any "easy days." We were either going up or we were going down. There was no such thing as flat.

The day we hiked to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), Mike suffered from fatigue and the altitude. At lunch I made the call to stop for the night and proceed to Annapurna Base Camp at dawn.

Feeling better but still a little loopy.

Despite the freezing temperatures at MBC we chose flip flops over our stinky boots.

It's embarrassing. We're twins right down to our socks.

It was still dark out when Ganga woke us for the final 1400 foot climb to Annapurna Base Camp.

ABC, We made it!

Sun beams breaking over the top of Machhapuchhre onto ABC.

Annapurna South (left) and Annapurna 1 (right).

A rescue helicopter that crashed a few months ago when it missed the small landing pad. We asked around but no one seemed to know what they were going to do with it.

Volleyball at ABC. I am jumping in the top photo. Don't you think I am higher than Mike?

Reaching the camp felt like a big accomplishment but we were careful not to congratulate ourselves too much. We still had four days to go.

Seasonal shelter for the local shepherds.

Sheep and goats causing a traffic jam on the trail.

A porter carrying supplies. We never ceased to be amazed by the loads these guys carry.

Our longest cable bridge. Every time I have to cross one of these things, I can't help but think of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Millet.  A main crop in the Annapurna area but we never figured out how it is prepared as food. We tried the millet wine and it wasn't that bad.

Sharing the trail with a local woman carrying water from the well.

Nepal's national dish, Dal Baht. All you can eat rice, lentils, veggies and spicy pickle. Good energy food.

We're almost done. Sunrise in Pothana on our last morning.

Machhapuchhre from the trail as we descended to Phedi.  We were rewarded with an excellent view on our final day.