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Nepal Journal

Scott A. Yost

October 23 - December 6, 1994

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This journal contains a detailed account of my trip to Nepal in the autumn of 1994. After a brief stay in Kathmandu, I went to the Everest region for three weeks of trekking. I returned to Kathmandu the day after the November elections, and then went to the Annapurnas for ten more days of trekking. Finally, I visited the Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai region for some excellent wildlife viewing. It was a wonderful and memorable trip, and I am certain I will return. (In fact - I did, in 2000.)

A printable text-only version of the entire journal (91 pages) is available in PDF format for reading off-line.

Contents

Preparations
 Beginning with an idea planted six months earlier.
October 23 Leave Knoxville for Frankfurt on Delta Airlines, via Cincinnati
October 24 Fly from Frankfurt to Delhi on Delta Airlines
October 25 Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu on Indian Airlines
October 26 Make trekking arrangements, tour Kathmandu Durbar Square
October 27 Visit Swayambhunath (the `Monkey Temple') and interview guide
October 28
 Final trekking arrangements, visit Bhaktapur
October 29 Fly to Lukla for Everest trek, walk to Phakding
October 30 Walk to Namche Bazaar
October 31 Stay at Namche Bazaar, day hike to Everest View Hotel
November 1 Walk to Tengboche
November 2 Stay in Tengboche, visit monastery
November 3 Walk to Dingboche
November 4 Stay in Dingboche, climb hill for views
November 5 Walk to Lobuje
November 6 Walk to Gorak Shep, climb Kala Pattar (18,450 ft)
November 7 Return to Dingboche
November 8 Walk to Phortse via Upper Pangboche
November 9 Walk to Dole
November 10 Sick day in Dole
November 11 Walk to Machhermo
November 12 Walk to Gokyo
November 13 Climb Gokyo Ri (17,990 ft), return to Machhermo
November 14 Return to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung
November 15 Return to Lukla (election day)
November 16 Unsuccessful attempt to get plane to Kathmandu
November 17 Return to Kathmandu
November 18 Arrange Annapurna trek, visit Patan, dinner with guide
November 19 Fly to Pokhara for Annapurna Trek, walk from Birethanti to Hille
November 20 Walk to Ghorepani
November 21 Climb Poon Hill for views, walk to Tadapani
November 22 Walk to Chhomrong
November 23 Walk to Dovan
November 24 Walk to Annapurna Base Camp
November 25 Descend to Bamboo
November 26 Walk to Hot Spring, visit the spring
November 27 Visit hot spring again, walk to Landrung
November 28 Walk to Dhampus, take taxi to Pokhara
November 29 Day in Pokhara, bicycling, boat rowing on Lake Phewa
November 30 Return to Kathmandu, arrange Chitwan trip
December 1 Bus to Royal Chitwan National Park, explore Sauraha
December 2 Canoe ride, jungle walk, elephant ride
December 3 Elephant ride, bicycling, canoe ride, jungle walk
December 4 Bicycle to Elephant Breeding Center, return to Kathmandu
December 5 Visit Pashupatinath and Bodhnath, lunch with guide, fly to Delhi
December 6 Fly to Frankfurt, then Cincinnati, then Knoxville
Postscript

This is a transcript of the journal I kept during the trip. Any errors have been intentionally maintained to accurately reflect my impressions at the time.

Copyright (c) Scott A. Yost, 1994. All rights reserved. -- Contact Scott
A Visit to Nepal | Photographs | Trek Maps