DAY 25 : High Camp (4800m) via Thorung Pass (5416m) to Muktinath (3800m) - 7 hour walk and then to Jomson (2710m) by jeep (1 1/2 hour drive)

Climbing to the highest point today.

3.30 am start on the trail. Head lamps on and all rugged up ready for the challenge of our lives.

Slow and steady ... it was absolutely freezing - noses, lips, hands, feet - all numb! You can understand the warnings about frostbite and we were only walking in the cold and wind for 3 hours.

Sunrise over the Annapurna range. Fabulous views north to Yakowa Kang (6882m).

7.15am we reached the Thorung La Pass (5416m) - one of the highest passes in the world. It is equal to 4 Ben Nevises, two and a half Mt Kosciuskos and one and a half Mt Cooks.

Then 4 hours of descent..

with crampons to keep us from slipping.

What a relief to reach Muktinath - all in tact!

Despite our early start and tired bodies, Satish and Tunka insisted on taking us to the famous Vishnu temple - it is a Buddhist/ Hindu complex - and a pilgrimage point for many Nepalese and Indian Hindus for centuries -  devotees walked until recently but now a road connects Muktinath to some major towns.

It was a special celebration day. Many devotees were running through the 108 spouts of water which is said to bring salvation for Hindus.

At last we arrived in Muktinath proper and waited for our jeep. Eventually we were able to hire one - it is one of the main source of public transport, sharing the unmade, rocky roads with large crowded buses. While passing a tractor, our jeep broke an axle and after an hour wait another came to rescue us.

The trip was down precipitous roads with spectacular and breathtaking (literally) views of a large gorge and river valley with fertile gardens.

Our hotel is next to the airport in Jomson - a large commercial centre and capital of the Mustang region. Convenient as we leave on a 6 am flight tomorrow morning.

Our last night with the crew - we had a buffet dinner together, a "Safe Journey" cake, music and dancing. A wonderful evening and fitting end to an amazing 3 week trek.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au