Annapurna Circuit Day 13

Thorung Phedi- Thorung La Pass- Muktinath (almost)

Well, we knew this day was coming and we were pretty pumped up....pretty nervous also.  This was the day when we crossed the Thorung La Pass- it's elevation at 5,416 meters, 17,769 feet is taller than any mountain in the Alps and is only 400m shy of the 2nd tallest mountain in the United States.  In other words, it's really high and breathing up there is not the easiest thing.  This day was also daunting because we had to ascend 1000 meters to reach the pass and then descend 1500 meters....all in one day because there are no tea houses until you reach the towns on the other side.  We began (at the suggestion of a guide) at 4 o'clock in the morning.  We donned our head lights and headed up the steepest part in the pitch dark.  We reached the High Camp 400 meters (straight up) later and took a short break. This proved to be a terrible idea.  As soon as we took off our packs, all of the heat that we built up from climbing left our bodies and we were suddenly too cold.  Thinking we would try to push on, we continued around the small lodge at the High Camp and found the trail.  But, seeing that it was on the side of very steep snow covered hillside, we decided to wait until sunrise.  We hurried back to the lodge and promptly got a hot water bottle for Ashley's hands and feet as she was way too cold. An hour and an extra layer of clothes later, we were feeling much better and continued on our way.  The hike to the pass was completely under snow and we were glad a few others went before us so we could follow their foot prints.  Breathing became very difficult as we neared the destination and it soon became a goal to walk a few yards, stop and rest, and repeat.  The fact that you are very alone out here really hits you when you look around and all you see is snow.  Five hours later we reached the pass and what a glorious sight it was!!  The sign, which is normally 5-6 feet tall was barely poking out of the snow!  We quickly put up a prayer flag for our new niece Elea and promptly began our decent.  The view of the mountains below you is something no words can describe!  We were later told they received more snow this winter than in the previous 5 years....perhaps we would have hired a guide if we knew that!

                                                                      GO TIGERS!!!

                                                  
                                                        BEGINNING OUR DESCENT