Page 21 - 2009 AMA Winter

the Annapurna range came into view for the first time opening up an entirely new vista. With some people struggling from early signs of Altitude Sickness, we were afforded a limited amount of time on the pass with which to get enough.
The descent was the most hairy section of the trek, having already picked our way through a barely melted track in the com- pacted snow, we then had to descend a treacherous scree slope. Fortunately everyone made the descent with no more than a couple of broken trekking poles to show for it! The rapid drop from 5200m to 3720m landed us in an astonishingly pic- turesque campsite at the far end of the pasture known as Bimtang.
Three days after crossing the pass we ended up on the Annapurna trail and after the relative isolation and undeveloped nature of the trek so far the civilisation on the Annapurna circuit came as quite a shock. However, it did give some of the younger members of the group the chance to stock up on an inordinate num- ber of chocolate bars that disappeared rather rapidly. The commercial nature of the trail was rather intrusive after the quiet of the mountains and coupled with the massive development accompanying the construction of a road to Manang, meant that most of team were looking forward to finishing the trek. On the penultimate day we had one last chance to see Manasalu from yet a different angle thus completing our circumnaviga- tion of the peak.
After 19 days we arrived at the road head in Besisahar where some of the group risked the local barbers to get the closest shave they’d ever had! The evening was spent indulging in some beer and being entertained in traditional Nepalese style with dance and singing. Few managed to dance with as much aplomb as 2lt Gallagher, who had obviously been build- ing up to this moment for most of the trek.
As well as providing the challenge of trekking in a remote part of the Himalayas, this trip had also afforded an opportunity to see the varying cultures of the region. From the strong Hindu influ- ence in the Middle Hills we gradually began seeing more of a Buddhist aspect including chortens and mani walls. As well as the change in culture we also wit- nessed the change in the environment from glorious wooded areas and terraced rice paddies to the gradually receding
barren areas that mark the start of the Tibetean Plateau.
The trek was a fantastic introduction to the Himalayas. Everyone gained a mas- sive amount from the trip both in terms of walking in more challenging terrain, at altitude and also in fitness gained. Personally it has whetted my appetite for further adventures in this region of the world – perhaps actually climbing some- thing next time round...
KNOW YOUR EIGHT-THOUSANDERS?
There are 14 mountains in the world above 8000m, of which Manaslu ranks eighth. Can you name the others?
Cpl Jay Callistan proving the height reached
Mount Everest K2 Kanchenjunga Lhotse Makalu
Cho Oyo Dhaulagiri Manaslu
Nanga Parbat Annapurna Gasherbrum I Broad Peak Shisha Pangma Gasherbrum II
8848m 8611m 8586m 8516m 8463m 8201m 8167m 8163m 8125m 8091m 8068m 8047m 8046m 8035m