Crossing The High Pass

Climbing Thorung La. Nikon D300, 18-200mm at 18mm, 1/200 f/22, ISO 200.

Around Annapurna 2008: Day 11
April 26: Thorung Phedi - Muktinath
This was the big day. We got up at 4:30am, dressed, had a quick bite to eat and headed upwards towards the high pass in the darkness of predawn.

Predawn Start By Headlamp. Nikon D300, 18-200mm at 18mm, 1.6 sec f/3.5, ISO 1600.

For most people, this will be the closest they will come to a mountaineering experience. The painful slog upwards, labored breathing, and outstanding scenery… Followed by the bone jarring descent into a barren landscape into the holy village of Muktinath.

Crossing Thorung La. Nikon D300, 10.5mm, 1/800 f/14, ISO 200.

A note for trekkers: be sure to top up your water bottles before you begin your descent. The teahouse at the pass itself is the last place to do this. The next teahouse is a ht and dry 3 hours downhill, about 1 hour from Muktinath.

Sree Muktinath: Rooms *** Food ***