The Long and Tiring Journey

We continued our journey to Ghasa (2,010m), then to Marpha (2,670m) and Jomsom (2,710m) before going on to Kagbeni (2,800m). The rhododendron forests soon gave way to pine forests as we headed further north. Gradually, the green disappeared behind us and we were greeted with arid desert-like barren landscape as we approached Jomsom and Kagbeni. We were going through the Kali Gandaki valley. It wasn’t an easy trail. We went through a lot of ‘ups and downs’, rocky trail, muddy and slippery path and occasionally, we walked on the well-crafted flagstone pavement through the villages.

On the way to Marpha, Krishna told us that we had to detour to avoid another landslide area. It was either due to oversight or miscommunication, some of the team members went ahead towards the landslide area. From where we were, we could see them sprawling on the steep slope like spider men (and women). There was no ledge for them to walk on. Some of them seemed to be hanging on to the slope precariously not knowing what to do while some tried to put on a brave front. There was no turning back. Fortunately they all managed it and were reunited with the rest safely.

The journey to Marpha was tiring and taxing. And at some points, we had to walk across the river, and the water was icy cold! It was another long day of nine-hour trekking. The trail to Kagbeni was not any easier. Our steps became heavier as we trod along the dry river bed of Kali Gandaki River. The route seemed endless; the weather, torrid; and the wind, gusty. We were in the wilderness. We jumped for joy when some buildings finally came into sight – we were going to have lunch!

We came across many ‘bends’ while walking along Kali Gandaki River. Each time we came to a bend, we would say to ourselves, ‘Oh, this is it! We are there, just behind the bend.’ Unfortunately, that was not the case. It was many more bends before we finally reached our destination.

The most challenging part was, I believe, to cross a long suspension bridge under the influence of strong and powerful wind. While we were wobbling like drunkards, the bridge amazingly remained very stable.

Although the journey was tough and we felt tired and exhausted at times, we were always in high spirit. We talked, joked and laugh along the way. That helped to make the ‘seemed like never ending trail’ shorter. We also took time off to enjoy and appreciate the serene mountain landscape. We were often captivated and spellbound by the spectacular and magnificent scenery.

The jokes and performances by some of the team members were so hilarious and entertaining that they often had us in stitches. Sometimes it helped us to forget about the tiredness, the pains and the aches. We definitely had a lot of fun and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest amidst all the ‘uuh’, ‘ahh’, ‘Why so long still cannot reach?’, ‘How long more to go?’, ‘So steep, how to climb?’