Despite being pretty worn out by our time on the Annapurna Circuit, we couldn’t leave Nepal without more up-close views of the amazing Himalayan peaks. So after some rest in Pokhara we found ourselves back on the trail, this time climbing steeply to Annapurna Base Camp in the Annapurna Sanctuary. After four days of miserably steep stairs we arrived at the base of the 26,545-foot Annapurna I, staring in disbelief at the various routes those crazy/brave mountaineers take to the summit. Watching sunrise in that beautiful amphitheater of mountains, including the 22,943-foot Machhapuchhre, we quickly forget the tough climb up and the knee-wrecking descent still to come. Still we find ourselves hungry for more trekking… but it’ll have to wait until next time. Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark III. Don’t plan this trip without investing in your own dream camera, preferably one that is lightweight with a full-frame sensor and wide lens to capture the majesty of the narrow canyon in the Sanctuary. A clear view of Annapurna South on our first day on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. A clear view of Annapurna South on our first day on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Locals who were grinding corn in a mill just outside Landruk on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. A local who was grinding corn in a mill just outside Landruk on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. More suspension bridges! This one was the scariest crossing of all as it tilted a lot to the left near the center. The endless stairs on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. A baby entertains themselves outside a home on the Annapurna Base Camp trail. Britnee tops out a long, steep climb with a companion as we near Chhomrong on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. A local porter carries a heavy load to the top of a steep climb near Chhomrong on the Annapurna Base Camp trail. A sign asks trekkers not to carry meat higher than the village of Sinuwa for religious reasons on the Annapurna Base Camp trail. Clouds conceal what would have been a spectacular view of Annapurna South during our stop in Chhomrong on the climb to Annapurna Base Camp. Britnee arrives in Himalaya on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The following morning we would awake to clear skies. A beautiful bridge built along the way to Annapurna Base Camp. Our first views of Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), along the way to Annapurna Base Camp. Looking back down the trail as we continued to climb from Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp in one, long day. Britnee takes a rest before lunch at Machhapuchhre Base Camp along the way to Annapurna Base Camp. A stunning view of Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as we make the final ascent to Annapurna Base Camp in beautiful weather. Britnee stops for a picture with the south face of Annapurna I as a backdrop when we arrived at base camp. Taking advantage of the sunshine, we rushed to do some laundry upon arriving at Annapurna Base Camp. The warmth didn’t last though, and just a couple of hours later our clothes were frozen solid. A memorial to the famous climber Anatoli Boukreev who died on Annapurna I in 1997. Porters and guides, more accustomed to the altitude, play volleyball at Annapurna Base Camp. Sunset on Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as viewed from Annapurna Base Camp. Dusk settles in over Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as viewed from Annapurna Base Camp. Dinner with the German brothers at Annapurna Base Camp. A shooting star passes through a clear sky above Annapurna I as viewed from base camp. Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), and a star filled night sky as viewed from Annapurna Base Camp. Sunrise lights up Annapurna I, right, and Annapurna South as viewed from base camp. The sun rises above Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), and warms up Annapurna Base Camp. Prayer flags flutter in the wind below Annapurna I. The sun rises above Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as we start our descent in good weather. Massive trees fill the steep slopes of the Annapurna Sanctuary as we descend from base camp. One the way down we enjoyed beautiful views of Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), that the clouds had concealed on the way up. Steep steps in many forms along our descent from Annapurna Base Camp. Tough on the knees. The sunrise viewed from Sinuwa where we spent our first night on the descent from Annapurna Base Camp. Somehow, even when descending from Annapurna Base Camp, we still managed to find unbearably steep climbs! This was the climb back up to Chhomrong. The view of Annapurna South we had missed on our first stop in Chhomrong due to clouds. Dal Bhat power, 24 hour! My go-to power lunch. So delicious. Britnee on the trail as it started to level out in the valley. But we still had one more steep climb out of Landruk to make that afternoon. Sunset on Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as viewed from Australia Camp where we spent our second and final night on the descent from Annapurna Base Camp. Sunrise lights up Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, (Fish Tail), as viewed from Australia Camp. A sunrise view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre from Australia Camp on our last day on the trail. Next photo gallery: Kathmandu, Nepal. 4 Responses Heidi December 15 Y’all should do a book of faces of the world. And mountains. And skies. And hiking trails. And churches. And basically all of the photos you’ve taken and all of your blog posts. Mark Johnston December 16 That might just happen Heidi. 😉
Heidi December 15 Y’all should do a book of faces of the world. And mountains. And skies. And hiking trails. And churches. And basically all of the photos you’ve taken and all of your blog posts.
