Expedition Report From Nepal - Entry for 4rd April

We awoke to a clear day with a view of Himalayan peaks in the far distance. Our plan was to walk to our destination without stopping for lunch. Our route took us along a steep gorge which carries the mighty Kabeli Khola river south through Nepal to the Tamur river. After dropping about 1500 feet we climbed up to an attractive Nepali village called Mamanke. Some farm houses had geraniums on the verandas which provided a welcome splash of colour. The path wound itself up and down and across numerous ravines. A narrow wire suspension bridge with only one plank for footing stretched 300 feet across one canyon. It was a particularly hairy crossing as it gained a swing as one crossed.

The sun bore down all morning and to avoid dehydration we all drank lots of water. Our little hand water pumps which purify local water from streams as you fill your water bottles have been a real bonus. We arrived at Yamphudin village, at a meeting of the mountain ways with its own police check post and large school. The village nestles beside the Kabeli Khola river and many jumped in for a swim and wash. The glacier melt water was freezing so you could only spend a couple of minutes in the river. We have made contact with the school, Shree Kangchenjunga Lower Secondary School, which has 154 pupils from Kindergarden to primary. You can see a photograph of it above. The headmaster, Mr Amar bahadhur Rai, was keen for us to play his staff at volley ball. Thank goodness we are here to climb, as despite encouragement from Ady Cole, we conceded a 5 - 0 defeat.

Today is a double birthday. Andy Hughes and Larry Foden both in the senior team have birthdays today. We will have a birthday cake and sing song for them this evening.

The person of the day is Emma Smith of the Junior Team. She is the only female on the team. She has much enjoyed the trek so far which is very different from the last one she did in Western Nepal to Annapurna. She is sensitive of Nepali customs and keeps covered up and does not wear shorts (every body else does -poor soul) and swims only away from any locals. She hopes to be the first women to climb Ramtang with the Junior Team.