It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from our brains. For the first time since we started hiking the Annapurna circuit – I was free of worry, and it was a beautiful feeling. It’s amazing how much anxiety the Thorung La pass can cause internally and how it’s gone. It’s as if a magician waved his wand and made it disappear into thin air as the audience in my brain gasped in amazement. We had the hard part behind us, now we could simply enjoy our remaining 7 days on the trail.
Tiger Balm Tales vol. 14
After an exhausting day of hiking the pass the previous day, I woke up practically giddy without a worry in the world. Miraculously we both felt pretty good mentally AND physically. Our bodies weren’t sore thanks to all of that Tiger Balm! I took a hot shower, and washed my hair. Plus, three days after I had dropped our only tube of toothpaste down the toilet, I was finally able to purchase toothpaste in Muktinath; yeah for clean teeth!
However, there was one important task we would have to do today – reorganize our itinerary. Since it had taken us more days than expected to get over the pass due to sickness, we now had to reorganize the 2nd half of our hike to get all the way to Pokhara in 7 days without killing ourselves.
Motorized Travel
Over a hearty breakfast of fried eggs, toast, and bacon, we spread out our maps on the wobbly table, consulted our hiking guidebook, and discussed a new itinerary with Bishnu. We needed to make up at least two days somehow on our schedule. The one thing that would make this possible was a motor. Unlike the previous sections we had just hiked, on this side of the pass, there were some roads and jeeps carrying tourists and supplies from village to village. I had a lot of mixed feelings on this intrusion of motorized vehicles on the circuit – but for the time being, I was happy to have the option of 4 wheels.
We decided that instead of hiking, we would take it easy and take a jeep to Jomsom, thereby making up one of the days we had lost. Bishnu went to the Jeep stand and helped us purchase our ‘tourist tickets’. To ride the jeep to Jomsom costs tourists 500 rupees (6.75 USD), and it costs locals 150 rupees. However, the Jeep doesn’t really operate on a schedule; it leaves when it has enough people to fill it, hardcore supply and demand at work. So we went and waited…and waited…and waited. Eventually, enough locals came by and filled the Jeep. Dad and I were the only tourists and they kindly took one look at my dad and put us in the front seat; a version of business class I suppose.
We started the bumpy ride down the mountainside, jarred back and forth, but happy that for once we were off our feet. Dad and I were still in our post-Thorung La pass delight – chatting about all kinds of things. The terrain had made another massive change again into a wide, flat, rock-filled valley that looked like hell to walk through. The Jeep was sped by other hikers, sending dust flying and hikers trying to cover their faces as they continued their march through the rock valley. This just solidified our happiness about our decision to drive today!
Jomson is one of the largest towns on the circuit. A regular metropolis…it has an airport. In fact, most people fly into Jomson and then do short treks on the Annapurna circuit from there if they have limited time. However, after coming over the pass, it was evident that thanks to the airport and the development of roads, this side was much more touristed; I didn’t like it. Sure, it was nice to have some semblance of civilization, but the remote feeling was gone.
We took advantage of modern conveniences and sent emails back home to family letting them know we survived which would allow my mother to breath again.
We went to coffee shops and ate cinnamon rolls, we took our time and strolled down the ‘street’ in the new part of town (aka – touristville). We watched planes take off and land behind our guesthouse as the runway was right in the middle of town. A perfect afternoon of rest.
We even ran into old friends. People we had hiked with on the other side of the pass were in Jomsom, and everyone went out of their way to say hi to Dad and find out how our summit day went. Other tourists, Nepalese guides, and porters were happy to see that Dad made it successfully. They would shake his hand vigorously and slap his back in congratulations. I wondered for a moment if I would’ve had this attention if I had been alone…yeah, probably not. Fathers are like puppies…they are cute and innocent. Some American hiking friends even bought us beers as we sat and celebrated our accomplishments together.
The day was slow, easy, and needed. The next day, we would be back on the trail…
Like the Tiger Balm Tales? Then start from the beginning!
Vol. 1 – The Begining of a Nepal Trekking Plan
Vol. 2 – Preparing the Parents
Vol. 3 – Annapurna Itinerary
Vol. 4 – Travel Back in Time
Vol. 5 – Breathe Through Your Mouth
Vol. 6 – Road Work Ahead
Vol. 7 – Changing Rhythms on the Annapurna Circuit
Vol. 8 – And on the 7th Day We Rested
Vol. 9 – Paralyzed on the Annapurna Circuit
Vol. 10 – No Room at the Inns
Vol. 11 – A Mouse in My House
Vol. 12 – Beware of Falling Rocks
Vol. 13 – The Longest Day
By Heather on her travels February 23, 2010 - 4:29 pm
What a relief to get over that pass and on the downward run – I’d be in that jeep too – I think you deserved a rest.
By Anil February 24, 2010 - 11:23 am
As soon as I read the title I felt relived for you guys – all that hiking, you deserved it!
By Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels February 26, 2010 - 1:07 pm
Yep, I’m definitely back to thinking I can do it.
By Donna Hull March 1, 2010 - 9:55 am
Taking the jeep was a good move. Now that you’ve rested up, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.