Neplausible

Finally, some competition for South Africa for the coolest flag in the world. 

While I remember seeing the Nepalese flag as I paged through World Book volume F (flags) as a youngster, I had no idea, or intention for that matter, to see the country to which it belongs. Trekking has been a favourite activity since I was ten, however the Himalayas remained a distant, mysterious and mountainous wonderland - as I understood - not accessible to your average long weekend type hiker such as myself.

When Kara, my travel companion for the first two and a half months of my venture, indicated that she was keen to go to Nepal for some trekking, I was skeptical of her sources and intentions. But she soon put me straight regarding my visions of hiking to elevations beyond 8000m, ice axe in hand and frostbitten toes in boots. Google images and some further reading on the Annapurna Base Camp trek provided further supporting material, with stories and images of incredible scenery being traversed by many people, some of whom very inexperienced hikers. Furthermore, for a reasonable additional charge, we had the option of hiring a guide and a porter to ease our concerns. Naturally I was in for some of that action.

However, no amount of Google images or general research could have prepared me for the eleven day expedition to Poon Hill (3210m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) and the ranging levels of: the tough; the spectacular; and the below freezing temperatures. I’m glad Kara and I can laugh in hindsight at our anticipation of “perhaps some snow up at Base Camp, otherwise spring days and coldish nights should be the order of the day”. It rained the first day and as we shivered after a long and steep climb it began to snow as well. We were still to ascend thousands of meters to the base of some of the highest mountains in the world. 

The scenery and experience more than compensated our numb toes and peeling noses:

View from our 'tea house' balcony on the first night - not exactly spring conditions

We awoke around 5 to ensure we made it to the top of Poon Hill from our accommodation at Ghorepani for sunrise.

The 360 degree view of the Himalayas was spectacular

Sunrise at Poon Hill from the view tower pictured above

While pictures of mountains can't compare to the real thing; sometimes they give it a go

These are two of many porters taking a break. They trek up and down the mountain bringing supplies to the various tea houses and base camps, sometimes carrying loads of up to 40kg

Kara approaching Machapuchre Base Camp. 

The view of the mountains we'd trekked to see obscured in mysterious cloud

Posing in front of Annapurna South at Annapurna Base Camp

From right to left: Kara (first time trekker), Ganga (our guide), Ram (our porter) and me

View of 'Machapuchre' meaning 'fish tail'. It's sacred and forbidden to be climbed

Making our way back down from Base Camp on a crisp day

It wasn't just the mountains that provided some awesome backdrops to the trek