DAY 7 : NEPAL : Jagat (1340m) - Philim (1570m) - 6 hour walk

  

Our destination today on the Manaslu Circuit in northern Nepal was Philim as we move into a more remote Tibetan Buddhist region and climb higher into the Manaslu Range.

A cooler  morning. Tunka, our assistant guide, emerging for the day.

 

We had breakfast on a table near the community activity.

Children getting ready for the day. Very independent, not attending school and self-occupied all day.

A basket by the playing children. A mother pulled a sleeping baby out of it, hidden by blankets.

 A simple game set up by one of the older children.

The day began by crossing the river on primitive bridges. About 20 mule trains cross this every day.

Then, pushing us further out of our comfort zone, we had to climb higher on a wooden ladder. 

 A goat herd greeted us on the path. We were warned to stay on the inside of a ridge when herds of goats, yaks and mule trains pass.

Marijuana plants line the route in this area. No trade - just vegetation.

Another milestone...reaching the Manaslu Conservation Area - each area requiring permits.

An interested bystander as we waited in one of the small squares in Jagat and an unexpected Australian bottlebrush while we were waiting for clearance. 

Blue doors spark our interest as we pass through the town in an otherwise colourless town.

Jagat is a very progressive town in this area. They have hydro-power from waterfalls It generates 35 kilowats of power but only needs 11 kilowats to fully power the 35 dwellings in the town. It is very rare for there to be electrical power in any village in this region, although we have seen several solar panels.

Fuel is of prime importance. Family members of every age go out to collect firewood, carrying it long distances and unsteady paths. The mountain Ganesh Himal in the background.

 

A large Buddhist 'mani' along the route, warding off evil spirits. It is a long rectangular structure with inscribed stones with religious texts along it. You always walk around them clockwise. They are usually at the entry and exit to towns and villages.

Another terrifying suspension bridge as we climb higher.

Our campsite at Philim - dramatic  views over the river way down the gorge below us.

Basket weaving essential as baskets are the principal form of transportation for produce.

Baskets are also useful pens for chicks and ducklings.

The town of Phillim from higher up the mountain. I went to investigate the gonpa (Buddist temple), high up above the town, but it was closed. Brownie points to me making the effort after a hard day's climb.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au