Project Shanita 09-10

We Did It!

NEPAL | Monday, 26 October 2009 | Views [138] | Comments [14]

We did it. 22 days of trekking round the Annarpurna, we made it back to Pokhara in one piece. We went through all weather conditions, torrential (unseasonal) rain for 36 straight hours which produced amazing waterfalls, but most scary was that number of landslides, snow, heat, humidity and cold- real cold.

We started trekking at the beginning of Oct in Besishaar (height 820m) and rose steadily to cross Thurong La Pass at 5416m in thick snow, again very unseasonal. We passed through amazing Nepalese villages and spent each night in the local hotels, all very basic but all very adequate. Though when I think back to 22years ago when I was trekking here, it is luxury now.

We also employed a porter/guide for the trek which was a godsend. He carried our pack and made life so much easier for ourselves.

HIGHLIGHTS

Crossing Thurong La Pass in thick snow (5416m)
Competleing the Circuit
Re walking to Annarpurna Sanctuary 22 years later
Experiencing Nepalese village life.
Relying on your feet for 320kms of walking
Sleeping in a storeroom in ABC with rats and Koreans. (sorry Jimmy/Sarah :)
Arriving back in Pokhara on the roof of a local bus

Since reaching Pokhara, we have relaxed, eaten, drunk beer (first time in 22 days). Shawn off to paragliding tomorrow then flying back to Kathmandu on 28th Oct.

Will write again before leaving Nepal and tell you about Everest scenic flight.

Tags: trekking

Comments

1

Congratulations Shawn. You can now officially call yourself an adventurer. (I am jealous)

Andre Joubert Oct 26, 2009 6:18 PM

2

Hi Shawn & Andrew, It's good to hear about your adventures. Hope you don't have to eat rats & Koreans on your journey especially in a storeroom. Ha ha ! Congratulations on your up coming 1st wedding anniversary ! Hope you celebrate it in style ! Looking forward to hearing more news from you...

Sarah Pak Oct 26, 2009 6:51 PM

3

Hi Andy & Shawn.
Your story winds back the years for me! Oh how jealous I am. Glad you made it and obviously enjoyed it. Well done.
Just a quick message for you Andy that your Gran is pretty well. Will see her today and tell her of your adventures.
Good luck with the rest of your odyssey.

John Gatenby Oct 26, 2009 7:35 PM

4

Congratulations guys! What wonderful memories you have both made. Shawn, I knew you'd find a way not to carry your pack! :-)

Hope you have recovered from the trip and are not too skinny from the weight you lost from all the walking. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Love to you both and happy first anniversary. So wish Michael and I could be there to share it with you.

xox

David Keys Oct 26, 2009 7:44 PM

5

Hi guys,
You sound like you're having a great time, but i do worry that you might be missing me too much. Let me know if you are and i'll send you some photos!!! It's awesome to hear what you've been up to. Keep enjoying it. Stay well and keep in touch

mikey
xx

Michael Ward Oct 26, 2009 9:15 PM

6

Great to hear that you've completed the first major leg of your journey safely. Keep us posted among the way and when you have a chance,show us some photos you've taken. Miss you two heaps. XOXO

Jimmy Kim Oct 27, 2009 2:22 AM

7

Glad that all went well boys. Where are the snaps of you both? Sure you aint as thin as Paul G was back in 87 !!!
Don't forget to try the sampsa and the dhal baat!

Love Simon xx

SIMON GREEN Oct 27, 2009 3:30 AM

8

well done boys gees andrew no beer for 22 days that must be the second time that happened first time 22 yrs ago. well glad all is well for the both of you. Looking foward to some photos one day well we are the same here kids have started nippers again zack did his first carnavale last weekend well bye for now kirk janet zack and coco

kirk Oct 27, 2009 5:19 AM

9

Well done Shawn, now can you please upload the picture where you had to abuse the porter to carry your packs? I need to report it to the UN Human Rights Tribunal ;P Keep us posted man!

Ingsen Tjoeng Oct 27, 2009 9:02 AM

10

Hi Shawn, I take my hat off to you! I was able to escape for a few minutes to Nepal :)... With all that walking you must be very fit. Can't wait for your next posting. Good luck and keep enjoying.

Mirtha

Mirtha Oct 27, 2009 9:14 AM

11

It all sounds amazing, I am so jealous.

Omid Soleymanjoo Oct 27, 2009 9:23 AM

12

Blimmey, well done, that VERY impressive.
Congrats also on W.A no. 1 (you've a way to go to catch up!!).
Enjoy further adventures, its great hearing from you.
Lou's 21 was fun, we missed you tho.
Lots of love Pip and Paul.

Pip Bishop Oct 27, 2009 12:48 PM

13

Andrew & Shawn CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm glad you both managed to safely come back from your little walk in the park. Looking forward to seeing the pictures! (Shawn, perhaps walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to get to work is not that bad after all).

Hats off to you guys (and the sherpa)!

ROMINA Oct 27, 2009 1:39 PM