Sherpa Survival Skills on
Annapurna Circuit Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Read this entire feature FREE with photos at http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/jetset/nepal/altitude.html
"The Himalayas,"I said to myself as sky grew dark around us.
The Annapurna Circuit is most popular trek in Nepal. The entire trek lasts three weeks from start to finish, weather permitting. Most trekkers begin trek out of Pokhara (about five hours outside of Kathmandu). From there one must obtain an easy-to-process permit in order to spend more than one night on circuit. The area is administered by Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which strives to preserve cultural, and natural resources.
Without any hassle my friends and I hired a Sherpa to take us on a guided tour throughout circuit. I am thankful we did because our experienced Sherpa saved my life.
My travel companions and I edged our way along Annapurna Circuit towards our rest stop for night, trying to beat nightfall. It was December and air was cool that time of year in Nepal. The night before we left, I had come down with a simple head cold.
I never thought this trip would bring me danger.
In distance I could barely make out a village where we would be spending night, after our long eight-hour day of hard climbing. The word village was a funny way to describe three shacks and a mud hut restaurant perched on a mountainside, lit up only by candlelight. I remember this one night in particular, night my trekking adventure took a turn for worst.
