There is a moment, just past dawn when the trail lifts you above the green folds of the Marsyangdi Valley (that originates from the northern slopes of the Annapurna circuit range, near Manang) and the world becomes nothing but gradient – stone beneath your boots, sky pouring cobalt overhead, lungs tightening in the thinning air. I have felt that tug before.
The Mountain that calls
In 1982, a wide-eyed vagabond with a twenty-year-old bravado, I came here searching for silence and altitude. Forty years later, I returned, older, slower, and joined by my son, Tomer, and my daughter-in-law-to-be, Deena. Our ascent in March 2023 was both pilgrimage and reunion, a braid of past and present twisting up toward Thorong La Pass.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Experience
Peaceful Pokhara: Lakeside Calm Before the Trek
Pokhara was our base camp – both the beginning and the return point of our trek. About 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, it’s one of Nepal’s most beloved destinations. We stayed in the lakeside neighborhood, a pocket of calm and charm, where everything feels curated yet easy. The vibe is unhurried. Time stretches.
Setting Off: Annapurna Circuit Begins With Heart and Grit
We were gearing up for the Annapurna Circuit trek. Tomorrow, we begin our ascent to the dizzying heights of 17,769 feet (5,416 meters) – a journey that will call for grit, breath, and steady resolve. We were well-prepared: the gear is in place, and we were joined by two trusted porters who will walk this path with us.
It’s been four decades since I last hiked this route. That journey in 1982 remains etched in memory – raw, untamed, and transformative in ways I only began to understand years later. I won’t pretend I’m not feeling a swirl of emotions – excitement, yes, but also a quiet apprehension. Do I still have what it takes? Will I be able to keep up with my kids? These questions hum softly in the background as I ready myself.
But one thing I know: this will be a journey to remember. A trail of high mountain passes, raw beauty, and shared silences. Moments that etch themselves into memory – not just for the views, but for what they awaken in us along the way.
Across Steel and Sky: Nepal’s Suspension Bridges and Changing Roads
The narrow suspension bridges are the only way to cross the roaring rivers that cut through the mountains. Forty years ago, these bridges were made of wooden…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Inditales…