Dharmasala over Larke Pass to Bimthang 10 November 2019

The big day- the crux of the trip -starts early Alarm goes off before 4AM We convene in the dining hall Christine and her chapatti Headlamps required
... and less than 10 minutes out of Dharmasala the oxygen tank comes out for Christine The mask comes with a hat/hood pre-pre-dawn We proceed up behind the moraine More light in the east
Soon we won't need these lamps Cold and dim ...but amazing It is then a long way to the glacier steadily rising
Our crew Up we go! Passing a cold little lake behind the moraine First light on the peaks IMG 2363
IMG 2364 It has recently snowed up here Almost too much contrast even for human eyes Pointillist Exultation
We were one small group of many IMG 2371 Finally the sun clears the ranges to the east We can put away the headlamps The way is no shorter but better illuminated
IMG 2378 A short break P1000175 P1000176 The poles mark the route
Note the similarity in the pattern (and note that Bri's hat was lost then found yesterday) Incredible but true: a snack bar with handicrafts for sale far up the pass The north end of the Manaslu ridge IMG 2382 IMG 2383
Mineral The trail disappears into the rock fields but we continue Rock and ice Yesterday we started at the foot of that distant mountain
Cobalt sky P1000184 Alpine fashion P1000186 It must be there somewhere
P1000188 IMG 8327 Across what must be a wetland in the summer P1000190 More snow here and a little slippery
Cold again: Christine puts on her down P1000193 Getting closer P1000195 P1000196
Finally... We arrive at the pass- the highest point on our trek We are not alone Everything it festooned with prayer flags Christine takes a break from the O2 mask
..for our official photo with Bri and Mingma and finally Greg tying a prayer shawl is auspicious IMG 2393
Panorama of the pass IMG 4237 Now...the way down Christine and Mingma She's ready
to go! P1000209 Getting ready to pursue Christine down the far side of the pass ...still not alone P1000213
The moraine down With Kaji behind Greg The far mountains reveal themselves IMG 2396 IMG 2397
P1000216 We are soon below the snow IMG 2400 One group takes a break; 7000 m peaks in the back IMG 4244
Three glaciers drained this basin The trail snakes its way down P1000220 P1000221 Finally caught up with Mingma and Christine
Shedding a layer Done with the O2 and discovering broken eyeglasses Less steep lower down What a great place to explore: why didn't we? P1000225
P1000226 The sharp peak on the far right in Himlung (7126 m), a peak that trekkers can climb from behind P1000229 P1000230 Trails for feet and ice
IMG 2408 Sculpture Panorama of this upper world Christine is taking her time on the way down Glad to be over the pass
IMG 2415 the sky! IMG 8331 We didn't envy these pack horses headed up this steep trail fully loaded
IMG 2421 1000 m gullies P1000235 P1000237 We arrived at our lunch spot
The view from our table Rearranging the contents of our packs Little pup exploring What's in here? We take our seats
We try to repair Christine's glasses using Superglue that I had brought (don't travel without it) No matter where you are, there is always dal bhat The front yard 6000 m pinnacles Ramparts to the north
... and a 2000 m icefall Lunch departure photo Moraines abound Older moraine with established vegetation Down bound trail
So much sky Looking back at the ramparts Brigitte exploring behind Debris Bri and Kaji
Somewhere past the end of that moraine is Bimthang, our objective Kaji pauses: a career of hiking (and cooking) We are tired but very pleased that we are over the pass and down The fingers of God pick out Bimthang P1000247
A place we didn't but maybe should've gone, just not today Bimthang comes into view with Manaslu high on the left IMG 2456 Heavenly Valley P1000250
IMG 2459 Onward IMG 2462 IMG 2463 IMG 8339
P1000252 Near treeline IMG 2467 Almost there IMG 2470
Late afternoon light on the mountain to the north Bimthang in the evening Manaslu from the moraine behind our lodging Dinner time Very good spring rolls and pizza
We made it!