|
HADT - DIARY UPDATE FOR: DAY 10 THURSDAY 1 APRIL 2004 |
||||||||
| Camp Location: | Tangnag | |||||||
| Weather Summary: | Bright and sunny morning becoming overcast in the afternoon. | |||||||
| Objective: | Continue acclimatisation trek in Hinku Valley | |||||||
| Major Occurrences: | Nil | |||||||
|
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY BY TEAM |
||||||||
| (note - pictures from yesterday's report now available) We awoke to Christmas card scenes with snow hanging heavily from the surrounding pine trees. As some of the porters' cold weather equipment and boots had been sent in advance to Tangnag we did not strike camp and begin the day's walk up the Hinku until the snow had started to melt at about 10 o'clock. The path proceeded at an easy gradient along boulders fields beside the river - a remnant of a huge flood 5 years ago that swept the valley when the Sabal Tsho lake breached it's natural dam. After about one hour's walk the valley split dramatically and we continued up its left branch. Ahead of us the awesome pyramid-shaped 'Peak 43' (6769m) came into view - not only a highly impressive mountain but also sacred to the Sherpas. Tramserku (6608m) and Kusum Kangguru (6369m) formed a stunning wall to our left. These mountains are classified as 'trekking peaks', but this is something of a misnomer as they are both technically difficult to climb. An hour below Tangnag we took a small diversion to the famous local Gompa (monastery) to receive a blessing from the resident Lama. The Gompa is actually a cave in which three idols have taken residence - allegedly having been placed there 400 years ago during an over-night stop they refused to be moved any further the next day! Arriving at Tangnag we established camp as usual, although we have also been able to erect the wind generator equipment for the first time. We will remain here tomorrow to optimise our acclimatisation - and wash our socks! News from Kathmandu is that Sam arrived safely and has seen a doctor. It is anticipated that regrettably he will have to return to UK. Meanwhile his escort, Sean Banning, is making good progress to rejoin us.
|
||||||||
|
PHOTOGRAPHS
|
||||||||
