Annapurna IV

We are on our third day of trekking on the Annapurna Circuit. Today, April 27th, we saw our first view of the ridgeline leading to our climbing and skiing objective, 24,688′ Annapurna IV. My heart couldn’t stop racing, reflecting the mountain view and the culture of Nepal.

Rapid growth is happening on this poplular circuit. In three years the road to nowhere will soon reach a centuries old destination, Manang. Explorers, then trekkers and now tourists will be able to heighten their experience while lowering their impact on the rocky trail that will become the road.

We have encountered men carryiing ten foot tall sections of sheet metal, others carry telescoping jack posts for power lines. In three months it will reach Jagat. Children, the elderly and locals are slowlly chipping away the granite and limestone, trees fall from overhead cutting the humidity. It is a scene from Nepal, new and modern, yet still not classless.

Tim said it best, we are having fun, here is why. Tim saw a man carrying a load of chickens in a cage, each jockeying over one another and he thought ” It’s hot, but this is ok. Soon it started to thunder as a man carried sheet metal past him and he thought, “This is ok” Later a man who carried a part of a 90 kilogram power line, turning sideways to make it kilometers down the rsted outside while we sipped tea, ” This is defintiely ok.”

Chame, where I now sit, is a stop 48 kilometers into the trek and windy. The mountains now surround us, the jungle is now no more than a salty outline on our packs—we have moved fast. It is bustling with a healthy amount of friendly locals and international trekkers, faces are splitting with smiles.

We are thrilled to be here We will arrive in basecamp in two days.

Ben Clark
clark@explorersweb.com
www.annapurnaiv.com
www.therestofeverest.com