A statistic – The average age of a Nepali women is 56…a man, 57. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world where women die before men. Probably because they do all the hard work. Today will be the last full day of trekking but again, a very long day of approximately 7 hours. We were supposed to only go as far as Pothana but Vimal has had problems in this area on his last few treks and wants to continue past Pothana to Dhampus. (Not quite sure exactly what the problems were.)

Breakfast with my favorite banana pancake rolled like a crepe around lots of bananas, and plenty of “trekking honey” poured over. Off ex-Marine and I went with Lila in the lead before the group left. We’re so slow that they have no problem catching and passing us. A long, steep downhill to the river and along the other side for a bit.

last section of Annapurna trek in Nepal
Before crossing back over to the other side of the river again, we came to the longest suspension/swinging bridge I’ve ever been on. This one scared even me and it seemed to take forever to get across. By this time, the group had caught up to us and we watched them come across. Most, with the same tight jaws and tense faces.

 

very long swinging bridge in Nepal
Heading uphill for tea, the scenery was spectacular and interesting…terraced, fertile farmland growing rice, millet, corn…sherpas carrying heavy loads…a man taking his goat to market…View image…women harvesting rice…

Nepal terraces 

Nepalis live a hard life  

typical Nepali farmhouse 

harvesting rice in Nepal
…through Landruk up to Tolka for lunch…past a chicken having a very bad hair day…

duffels sitting in Tolka, Nepal 

Purna and Lila resting along the trail, Nepal 

this chicken needed a little frizz taming in Nepal
With last views back up the valley of Annapurna South, the path started it’s long, steep climb to Deurali, the last ascent of the trip. I happen to love uphills versus downhills but the ascent seemed never-ending when, in reality, it only took around 50 minutes.

Deurali rest stop along the trail, Nepal
A rest in Deurali at the top of the hill with hazy views of Pokhara in the distance. It was relatively flat for the first 10 minutes and what did I do? Fall! All these days of picking my way up and down the trails, and now I fall? I was hauling butt over a hard-packed mud area without realizing it was slippery and…boom…the next thing I know I’m on the ground, with one arm bleeding profusely. Blood is dripping on my camera case, the gash swells up like a balloon. Antiseptic, bandages and we continued on.

Now I’m walking at a snail’s pace afraid of falling again. Picking my way from side to side of the trail, avoiding all the hard-packed earth and walking on grass whenever possible. Another 3+ plus hours until we came into Dhampus (1,600m/5,249′)…View image… on the first jeep road we’ve seen since starting the trek 10 days ago. Another 10-hour day of trekking finished…it’s always something…