Before crossing back over to the other side of the river again, we came to the longest suspension/swinging bridge I've ever been on. This one scared even me and it seemed to take forever to get across. By this time, the group had caught up to us and we watched them come across. Most, with the same tight jaws and tense faces.

Heading uphill for tea, the scenery was spectacular and interesting...terraced, fertile farmland growing rice, millet, corn...sherpas carrying heavy loads...a man taking his goat to market...View image...women harvesting rice...

...through Landruk up to Tolka for lunch...past a chicken having a very bad hair day...

With last views back up the valley of Annapurna South, the path started it's long, steep climb to Deurali, the last ascent of the trip. I happen to love uphills versus downhills but the ascent seemed never-ending when, in reality, it only took around 50 minutes.

A rest in Deurali at the top of the hill with hazy views of Pokhara in the distance. It was relatively flat for the first 10 minutes and what did I do? Fall! All these days of picking my way up and down the trails, and now I fall. I'm hauling butt on a hard-packed mud area not realizing it was very slippery and...boom...the next thing I know I'm on the ground, bleeding profusely from one arm. Dripping on my camera case, the gash instantly swelled up like a balloon. Antiseptic, bandages and we continued on but now I'm walking at a snail's pace afraid of falling again. Picking my way from side to side of the trail, avoiding all the hard-packed earth and walking on grass whenever possible. Another 3+ plus hours until we came into Dhampus (1,600m/5,249')...View image... on the first jeep road we've seen since starting the trek 10 days ago. Another 10-hour day of trekking finished...it's always something...