70.05 Nepal: Short Summary of the tough Sarangkot Hike from Lakeside, Pokhara.

  The high mountains are fascinating, very attractive; okay, we are stunned by them. Hence, while we try to limit the number of photographs, we do publish less than desired, especially because we see them from so many different hikes and places. Anyway, don't get us started on the beauty, size, variation, covering and so much more of the Annapurna Range, in particular. 

Annapurna South and to the right Machapuchare at sunrise...we stand in awe and most humble.

  Jen was not looking forward to hiking to Sarangkot, a strenuous hike of just under 3,000 feet, including places of net altitude loss on the way up, via the Methlang approach. The main reason, of course, was the recent set-"back" suffered. However, after entering our third week in Nepal, she announced she was ready. We decided to spend 2-nights in the village, a lovely place from which to view the lake below and the surrounding mountains, both on a par with ours as well those reaching more than 20,000 feet higher. Makes one wonder about classifying the hike as challenging. 

  We have included less than a dozen photographs, as we are far behind in all publications. Because we have mentioned Sarangkot frequently, we decided on this summarized blog. However, we'll also include a typical Nepalese tidbit that occurred close to reaching the top. 

  I walked toward what I considered a retired elderly fellow who I'd guessed his age at about seventy-five years old. As I reached him, he asked me how I was feeling. I replied good but a little tired, more showing respect for the toughness of the hike. I actually felt better than I have for a while. 

  In a typical local 'inquisitive' manner, he asked how old I was. I replied honestly, of course, as being seventy-three. He looked me up-and-down and retorted that "I do see you are quite old." (Thanks, buddy, especially from someone who did not look younger, in fact, older.) He then proceeded to inform me that he was only sixty. 

  "Perhaps you should have carried me up, or at least my heavy bag," I smiled. It was a rather enjoyable moment as we closed in on the peak and tower thereupon. As an aside, the Nepalese do look far older than they are...it's been a tough life. 

After passing Methlang, part way up, Jen continues to lose ground on the climb after more than an hour on trail. The Sarangkot Tower is visible with the golden elephant icon to the left (see below).
As we pass through the jungle about 30 minutes from home, this wonderful view appears.
On track, we find some farmland filled with color.
Machapuchare at sunrise from the Sarangkot Peak; at least, the 24th place from which we have viewed this icon, probably many more spots.
If you can't climb them, try flying below.
Without being specific, this scene resonates with one of us.
The third photograph shows Jen way below looking up to the tiny sight of Ganesh, the golden icon. It's a set of elephant heads on human bodies. Here is a lit-up night scene.
A shot (rough) of part of Fewa Lake and surround at night, approximately, from an altitude approaching 3,000 feet higher...with a (basic) camera
A view of the other side of the lake from lesser height.
Let's close with Jen trudging up a steep set of steps as we close in on the peak.

 Cheers, 

Yo-Danda and Jeffrey