Sunday 14 November
Muktinath to Kagbeni
Itinerary: DAY 14 Kagbeni
(2,804m) We descend
towards the
[Diarist: Sue]
Back to 6 am wake
up call - it seemed particularly dark this morning. A frosty but clear morning
again. The usual porridge then puris and omelette in a chilly mess tent. Feet
were cold by the time we set off.
In about half an hour the trail reached Jharkot, a ridge upon which is perched a 550 year old monastery. Inside, it was similar to others, with prayer books, paintings, statues, incense burners and drums. The most interesting aspect was the Tibetan doctor (known as an 'Amji' or 'Amchi') and his herbs - jars containing powder, labelled in Tibetan. He uses between 3 and 35 herbs to treat a patient. Next door were shelves of dried herbs and a few other things such as dried fungi and calcium carbonate rock. A third room contained a display of herbs, and posters in English about Tibetan medicine. The doctor trained for 9 years and is training another. He goes off for 1 to 2 weeks at a time to collect herbs from the mountains.
Young boys training
to be monks were getting up as we arrived, and the place was lively as they
brushed their teeth in the main courtyard.
Continuing, the trail
descended by irrigation channels and stone walls into the open and brown valley.
By the time we stopped at the 'Romeo and
Locals sold apples, and the ubiquitous scarves. The trail was busy with trekkers going both up and down. It is possible to fly to Jomosom and walk up to Muktinath, although tough due to the altitude. Some were ascending on ponies. Further down, it was possible to see right back to the pass, which didn't really look far away!
Kagbeni, our
destination, came into view suddenly, at the lip of a steep descent. Autumn
colours on the trees stood out, and the river in the Kali Gandaki valley could
now be seen.
A quick descent,
and Kagbeni (2804 metres) is reached. A lack of campsites means that
unexpectedly we're staying in the purple painted '
Lunch was sardine,
coleslaw and sliced potatoes with cheese, and a chocolate layer pancake, after
which washing water was provided. The wind was braved to go on a foray of Kagbeni
- highlights were the 'Yak Donald' restaurant and 'Delimustang (cf Deli
A young boy grabbed
our hands and turned a somersault between us - at least it wasn't the usual
demand for 'school pen'. At the end of the village is a checkpost beyond which
lies the restricted area of Mustang. To enter, there is a fee of $700 for 11
days and you must be in an organised group with a liaison officer. Andrew did
this to attend Sanjeev's wedding in Lo Mantang in 2000.
The first floor dining room benefited from sun flooding through the windows (and no wind), so was ideal for writing postcards. This was only interrupted by the Tihar or Diwali singing below, followed by a request for donations for the school. Rather like carol singing from place to place but with a group of maybe 20 or more.
Tea was served at 4 pm, then we headed to the 'Red House Restaurant' for pre dinner beers. Their top floor room was fairly warm and looked out onto the monastery roof.
Dinner, back at 'Paradise' was chicken soup, then goat meatballs, rice, mashed potato, tuna momos, and apple salad, together with Lindy's rum. A nice apple and cinnamon pie for pudding. A long game of 'Hearts' took us to a 9:30 bedtime.
Statistics:
Start: 3800 metres
Ascent: 5 metres
Descent: -1005
metres
Finish: 2800 metres
Time: 4 hours (7:45
to 11:45)
Stops: 1.25 hours
Walking time: 2.75
hours
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