Trekking Day 8 cont'd: Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
With everyone at the Camp and assigned rooms, we all gathered in the dining room for lunch, to rehash the trek up, and bubble over with enthusiasm. Hot soup hit the spot and Vimal was going to take those who wanted out for another hike after lunch. Not me...I'd had enough hiking for a lifetime. He pointed out the route behind the dining room up to a ridge for more wonderful views of Advanced Annapurna Base Camp. I looked. That was a scree mountain. That would have settled it if I had planned on going. I hate scree (loose rock debris on a slope).
FYI: You can do the entire Annapurna Sanctuary Trek for yourself or hire guides and porters in Pokhara or Kathmandu. BUT....there is no guarantee that you'll find anyplace to stay. Big competition for the few teahouse/lodges along this extremely popular tour. We saw two young people hiking up to Machapuchhre Base Camp yesterday only to be turned away and have to hike back down to Bamboo. Base Camp was completely booked and all the Sherpas/Porters traditionally sleep in the communal dining area...no room even there. If you tent it...no problem.
From gorgeous sunny weather, fog lowered into the sanctuary and little snow flurries started falling. For ex-Marine and myself from Chicago, this was no big deal. But for Isla and Hugh, very exciting. Their first snow ever. Screams of joy...dancing and jumping around outside...and fun to watch. ...View image... Then, as quickly as it had begun, it stopped.
The gung-ho members of the group set off with Vimal after lunch for a second hike - a few went a little way up and then started thinking, are we nuts? - and came right back down...while the rest of us sat in dining room, talking, relaxing and Sian, who wasn't feeling well brought her sleeping bag for a short nap..
Sian really wasn't feeling well and started running a high temperature. To make a very long story short, Adri and several porters ended up taking her down to MBC base camp for the night to ensure it wasn't serious altitude sickness. It wasn't and she was fine the next day.
A little celebration for Kelly's birthday and everyone went to bed early, completely exhausted. Tomorrow? Even harder!
