October 8, 2013
Prayer flags marking the pass (Lobsang Sherpa)
The last two days were big ones for the Dolpo Trekkers. Yesterday they ascended the long pastoral valley on the Dolpo side of the pass, with miles and miles of lush yak pastures as they followed the river up to the high camp. Then, today, they ascended up and over the 18,200 foot Niwal Pass which Adam says was the most difficult crossing so far on the trip. The weather was great and they hung some prayer flags and enjoyed fantastic views from the summit of the Dhaulagiri range and also the Annapurna range before descending 5000 feet of steep and rocky trail down to the Sangda valley. Now they have left Dolpo and entered Mustang, which is a more accessible area for trekking. After several weeks of virtually nobody else around, just this afternoon Adam says they have already run into three other trekking groups. Tomorrow they have a short day of trekking to Sangda village with time in the afternoon for showers, laundry, and some rest. Then, the following day, they are up and over the eighth and final high pass of the trip (Sangda pass at 15,800 feet) and then from there it is pretty much a cruise into Jomsom. Well done, team. Enjoy your last couple days on the trail!
Eric Simonson