Seat of Our Pants

Nepal is a wonderland for people who like to trek. It is the home to several of the world’s highest mountain peaks, as well as the site of a number of classic hikes. Since we’re now living here, we need to go on at least one major trek. The problem (a happy little problem indeed) is to figure out which one. We have a few options:

The Everest Base Camp Trek

The EBC was the first one we thought about doing, not only for the name recognition factor but also because people we’ve met have given it warm recommendations. The hike itself goes from the quaint town of Lukla up to Kala Pattar, a small-ish hill that happens to rise 5545 meters above sea level. Pros: it’s the Everest Base Camp Trek! Cons: the hike is fourteen to twenty days long. It is also very, very popular, so we’d be fighting the crowds to find decent lodgings and food.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek

This is also one of the world’s classic walks, comprising culture, extraordinary mountain scenery and views. It would take us through valleys surrounded by a bunch of 7000 meter peaks, and it is very well supplied with nice trekking lodges and amenities. Pros: everyone I’ve talked to that have done it tend to wax absolutely lyrical when they talk about it. Cons: another long trek that would take 12-19 days. New roadworks cut through the trek these days, spoiling some of the wilderness feeling.

The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

This trek goes into the same type of landscape as the Circuit trek, but instead of going around the mountains (in a circuit!) it goes straight into the center of the Annapurna massif, a staggeringly beautiful amphitheater in between the giant mountains. Cons with this one: there’s a wee risk of avalanches.

To make the choice even harder, there are other options too. Our landlord, a veteran guide with twelve years of experience, swears by a trek called the Annapurna Base Camp trek. There are also a bunch of interesting peaks in the area, peaks that can be climbed without specialized mountaineering experience. Mera Peak (6476 m) or Island Peak (6189 m), for example.

We’ll have to make our choice soon, because by December it will be pretty cold up there. I’m pretty confident that whatever we decide to do we’ll have a fantastic time. It is almost time to get giddy about it.

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