A three week "hit" returning to Nepal after a gap of over five years. R and I went to an area we hadn't been to before, namely, Pokhara and Annapurna. Our focus was a 5700m peak in the Annapurna Sanctuary called Tharpu Chuli.
Sadly, the weather conspired against us and after rain and snow on every single day of our trek in to base camp we kicked our heels for a few days hoping (somewhat forlornly it has to be said!) for a change in the weather. It didn't happen. Typically it would be a lovely morning with blue skies but by 10 to 10.30am the clouds would be rolling in over the tops of Machupuchare, Annapurna and HimChuli presaging the coming daily dump of snow. Needless to say, most of these pics are in the good weather windows!
Still, that's the mountains for you. Nothing is ever cast in stone (no pun intended) and the Himalayas are big mountains so you have to be prepared for "disappointment" and realise that there is so much more to getting to a summit. The people and scenery make these trips. A summit is a bonus. Don't let that leave you thinking I'm not motivated to get to summits. I am. Hugely. But equally I'm phlegmatic as to the way the dice roll.
© AMAC Collection
