September 23, 2015

Adam in his element.

It is Adam’s Birthday today.  Happy Birthday!  If there is a group of people who know how to celebrate a birthday, it is our Sherpa Team.  Hopefully our guys sing a little bit and get Adam dancing for his birthday.

It sure sounds like Adam and the Dolpo Team are having a good time, clear skies during the day and cool sleeping at night.

“Today we traversed high above the lake to its northern end where we began to follow the Phoksundo Khola north to a campground below the hanging glaciers of Kanjirowa Himal. We are 1.5 days from the Himalayan Crest and eager to see what was on the other side.”

Greg Vernovage

September 22, 2015

Rest day activities include fixing Lopsang’s prayer beads. (Adam Angel)

The Dolpo Team took a scheduled rest day at Ringmo Camp.  Ringmo is the village at the southern shore of Phoksundo Lake. The village is established on the 40,000 year old landslide / natural dam that created the lake. The lake is almost 500’ deep and must be seen in person to appreciate the magnificent color of the water. We took a rest day here and visited the 900 year old Thashung Gompa on the eastern side of the lake.

Tomorrow is the beginning of a 3 day long trek towards the team’s first high pass!

Greg Vernovage

September 21, 2015

Phoksundo Lake (Adam Angel)

All is well from Phoksundo Lake.  The Dolpo Team will have a rest day tomorrow to contemplate how a lake can be this blue.

The team trekked uphill through the forest and crossed a few notable lines.  As the trek began, the local people were mostly Nepalese hill folk, predominantly Hindu.  As they move further into the region they have moved into an area peopled by those of Tibetan ancestry.  The name of the river changes too; it is now called the Phoksundo Khola.  They followed this river for two days of trekking, until they reach its source: the large Phoksundo Lake at nearly 12,000 feet in the Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Ringmo is the village at the southern shore of Phoksundo Lake. The village is established on the 40,000 year old landslide / natural dam that created the lake. The lake is almost 500’ deep and must be seen in person to appreciate the magnificent color of the water. During their rest day, they will visit the 900 year old Thashung Gompa on the eastern side of the lake.

Greg Vernovage

September 20, 2015

The Dolpo Team was up early to get on the trail.  For those who have not been with us in Nepal, there is a small alarm clock called Jor Bahador.  Jor Bahador is one of our great cooks.  He greets you with a smile and in the morning, wakes you with tea or coffee.  Not a tall man, Jor makes food that leaves you full and scratching your head as to how he made that meal way out here.

 After breakfast, the team began their long 14 mile day, ascending through steep old growth juniper forests to Amchi Hospital. “Amchi” means “science of healing” or “doctor” in classical Tibetan and local dialects. This was a very long day! The team is tired but happy and will spend the night above Amchi in Chunuwar.

 Tomorrow is a shorter day with a beautiful reward with a steep climb to Ringmo at almost 12,000’.  The afternoon will be spent basking in the sun, a little laundry and probably a shave!

Greg Vernovage