Trekking the Annapurna Himalayan Range in Nepal

We'll return one day.

Descending.

Time to head back, a long road ahead.

Mission accomplished! The formidable, majestic, massive, impressive, Machapuchare!!

I see it!!

Looks like the top of the world. Almost there.

Going on up to 14,700 ft.

You think Rajendra is happy?

The view is amazing!

You don't see this everyday.

Rajendra's resting quarters. I don't think they had any trouble falling

asleep.

This lodge is looking goood to Jord. The 5 star bed and breakfast.

INCREDIBLY AWESOME!

Beautiful!

Glad to be at the lodge.

Bring me that camera, it doesn't get any better than this!

The view is fabulous!

Finally made it to High Camp. What a climb!

Getting closer.

Jon and Jord and the high and beautiful mountains.

Rajendra with the gorgeous backdrop.

Kings of the mountain! Almost conquered!

Jord and Sahdeep heading on up.

Simply an incredible view!

Gotta get moving.

Boy the air is thin up here. Notice Sahdeep isn't sitting.

Tenderly shepherding his flock. This reminds me of my shepherd, Jesus,

of whom the Psalmist writes; The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.

He makethe me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the

still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteous-

ness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy

staff thy comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of

mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will

dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6

Rajendra, Jord and Buzz enjoying the view from this vantage point.

Taking a much needed siesta.

Walking, walking and walking. Notice the sandals? How does he do it?

Walking, and walking and walking. Notice the boots?

A native Nepali with his water buffalo.

Onward and Upward! We can do it!!

Meeting Sahdeep, the Sherpa guide.

Finally, loaded and ready to go. Jord, it's going to be a long 8 hours back there.

But, while they were shopping.........Their bikes were being impounded!!

They ended up having to pay about 1000 rupees to get them back. Ever

seen a ric shaw impoundment? Nepal never ceases to amaze me.

Jord and Buzz in Thamel,heading to the trekking store to rent all the "stuff".

Jordan, Buzz, Rajendra, Jon, Jyoti, Prashunsa, Sundesh and Julia took off for a 8 hour trip to Pokhara, which is the gateway region to the Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas. Another cute touristy town on the banks of the Phewa Lake.Some took the bus and some drove the motorcycles, both were rough rides. They all spent the night in Pokhara, then the guys set off for their trekking adventury with their Sherpa guide, Sahdeep (notice he trekked in sandals) Their goal, high camp, Mardi Himal and to view the amazing Machapuchare mountain, also known as Fish Tail due to the twin peaks. The nationals call it a holy or sacred mountain and it is closed to climbing. The trek to the lower base camp involved going through the tiger infested jungle! One of the natives said if he leaves his water buffalos alone, the tigers will kill them everytime. This is where they had their encounter with the leaches, thousands of them!! Most of the terrain was hilly and rocky, up, down and straight up!! The guys were on a tight schedule, as they needed to be back for a meeting. Soooo, they trekked too fast and didn't allow time for acclimatizing to the high altitude and some got pretty sick. The guide found a house for them to stay in, but they didn't get much sleep due to the blaring t.v. and the rats. So early the next morning they headed out on the trail again. Eight hours later, they finally arrived at the lodge at Mardi Himal. (The two hundred pound stones used to build the lodge were carried by the Sherpas from as far as two hours away.) They said it was like a 5 star hotel for Nepali standards. The guys were elated to be there!! They spent the night, got up early and were served Tibetan bread, which Jordan described as a sweet bread with syrup. Then, they walked outside to a majestic view! The mist had lifted and they could see the Machapuchare Mountain with all it's grandeur!! What an awesome view!! Our Creator God loves us so much to allow us to enjoy His beautiful creation. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 What a Mighty God we serve!!!