We hit the trail particularly early this morning, at 5am, in order to minimize avalanche risk. Today we would be passing numerous avalanche prone areas (avalanche chutes) that lead down into the valley, from Huin Chuli on one side and from Macchapucchre and Mardi Himal on the other. The reason we stayed the previous night at Himalaya was that we wanted to walk this section of trail in the early morning, before the snow begins to melt, increasing avalanche risk.
The air was moist and it was very cold, so we were happy to keep a quick pace along the slowly ascending trail.
Frank standing next to this big boulder, referred to as 'Hinku's Cave'.
We reached the next settlement of Deurali (3200m) in about an hour...faster than expected. We stopped for an energy boosting breakfast of cheese chapati and eggs.
Another beautiful alpine plant specimen.
The snow pile at the bottom of an avalanche chute.
At almost exactly 9am we heard a thundering roar in the distance and we turned to see a waterfall of snow cascading down a mountain side on the far wall of the valley (pictured below). We stopped and stared in awe but soon hurried along our way.
Yet another avalanche chute crossing.
At about 10am, as we were approaching Macchapucchre Base Camp (M.B.C.) (3700m), the clouds began to gather and thicken.
Shortly after reaching M.B.C. we were completely immersed in thick white clouds, denying us the beautiful view that was just beyond our sight.
By the afternoon the clouds had cleared a little to reveal some freshly coated snowy peaks, but Macchapucchre peak was still socked in.
It was very cold, windy and humid at this altitude and with no heating and little insulation we were confined to our room where we huddled in our sleeping bags and blankets for most of the day. We eagerly anticipated the climb to Annapurna Base Camp the next morning.
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