October 4, 2013
Trekkers reach Lower Dolpo
Adam Angel reports the team had a solid day, making it over the Choela pass (16,564 feet) and reaching Dho, in the Tarap valley, to the south of the crest (“Lower†Dolpo). He said it rained pretty much all night last night and it started to snow from 5 AM this morning. There was 3-4 inches of snow on the Pass, but now the weather is improving. Dho is the largest village in the area, and they had a nice visit to the local school. The plan for tomorrow is to push hard and cross the 16,500 foot Chharku La pass (originally the plan was to go to a high camp 1000 feet below the pass). This will give them a day in the bank to spend later. Once they get over Charku La they will be north of the crest again, in “Upper†Dolpo.  They should get some great views of the Dhaulagiri peaks from the pass, as the team is directly north of that area.
Eric Simonson