Phakding to Namche Bazar Episode 2

We were making good time up the valley of the Milk River, so called because it looks like milk, so it stands to reason. The path crossed backwards and forwards over the swingers, which got longer and higher.

Then incredibly I saw a bald headed old bastard who looked just like me! Astonishing. It was me really. Nir took the photo. 😁

And then a squeaky bum moment. The valley got steeper, to the extent that the path cut up high above the river, with two swinging bridges straddling the gorge. And it was our luck that we had to use the high one. Hooray! Congratulate me whilst I poo my pants.

Senor Kilby was now getting used to these ridiculously fragile looking swinging bouncers.

Then the track took a serious upturn, with a long, steep route for the next three hours. It hurt and seemed to be never ending, with the river and its beautiful views disappearing into forest.

Eventually Namche came in to view and the relief was palpable. We were at a fair altitude now – over 11,000 feet – and the reduced oxygen level was apparent during the climb.

On the way to our accommodation we passed a local volleyball match. No room for football pitches in this terrain.

Namche is reasonably developed, although the only ground route in is over that ridiculously high swing bridge. Anyway, we’ll enjoy it for the next two nights whilst we get acclimatised to the altitude. We’ll then be on our way into a much more remote region.

Night night.