David at Annapurna Base Camp..... Monday 29th December 1980
The incredible South Face of Annapurna I ... the summit, just visible, at 8,091 metres (26,545 feet)
In January 1979 Lynne and I had escaped from Iran due to the Iranian Revolution. In August 1979 we took up teaching posts in Hong Kong . . . where we were to stay for a further 18 wonderful years! In early 1980 we were able to make plans with a group of friends, mainly teaching colleagues, for our first Himalayan adventure. I was delighted that we chose a trek to Annapurna Base Camp. It was exactly 30 years since Maurice Herzog's first ascent of Annapurna I in 1950 and 10 years since Chris Bonington's succesful expedition to climb the South Face of Annapurna I in 1970. I was so excited at the prospect of setting foot in the Himalayas . . . a dream come true!
During this preparation time I did some research on Annapurna. Annapurna is a mountain massif in north-central Nepal . . . it includes one peak over 8,000 metres, thirteen peaks over 7,000 metres and sixteen more over 6,000 metres. The Annapurna massif is 34 miles long, and is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River on the north and east, and by the Pokhara Valley on the south. We were going to trek to the western end of the massif which encloses a high basin called the 'Annapurna Sanctuary'. It is from the base camp in the Sanctuary we would have incredible views of the highest peak of the massif . . . Annapurna I . . . the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres (26,247 feet) above sea level. In the week before our trip to Nepal I could barely contain my excitement at the prospect of seeing the Himalayas for real!
Drawing showing all 14 of the world's highest mountains . . . all over 8,000 metres . . .
. . . Annapurna in the centre
At long last the day of departure to Kathmandu arrived. We boarded our Royal Nepal Airlines aircraft at the old Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong for the 5 hour flight to Nepal. As we descended into Kathmandu we had our first glimpse of the Himalayas!
Durbar Square in Kathmandu 1980
David standing next to our Royal Nepal Airlines 'Twin Otter' on arrival in Pokhara
Our sirdar, sherpas and porters for our trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary
Approaching Tibetan mule-train coming down the valey of the Yamdi Khola
The Kali Gandaki Gorge just to the west of our location is between the peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri . . . it is the deepest gorge in the world! The photo on the right is of a Tibetan mule-trader in the village of Hyangja in the valley of the Yamdi Khola. Khola is Nepali for river. You can see his traditional boots and turquoise/coral jewellery.
Tibetan mule-trader 'saddling up' after a brief tea-stop in Hyangja
Map of our trekking route to the Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp
Yamdi Khola River . . . its braided streams meandering across its flat valley of glacial silts
Awesome view of Machupuchare (fish-tail) and Annapurna IV from our campsite near Dhampus
Lynne took this photo of me with Machupuchare in the background
I would love to hear from you either by commenting directly to this blog or by secure email as outlined in the 'Contact' section of 'Beyond the sacred Mountains'.
Regards
David
*** A few people have asked whether I will be completing my series of blogs about my Pennine Way adventure last August. I can confirm there will be a final blog about Days 13 to 20 in the near future. Thanks David ***