High in the Himalayas

(Well, not high, but high up in the Himalayas.)  Toward the end of my journey throughout Nepal, I decided to make one last 1-week trip to the daunting Langtang mountain range.  It was supposedly one of the easier treks, but that shiz was tough!  Even my Italian trekker buddy, who went to the highest of the Alps said they were nothing compared to Langtang.  It also could have been because we were unwise in packing and ended up lugging  20lbs. backpacks up those treacherous hills and rocks.  Whatever the case, I had the most amazing times up there, away from all the pollution and motorbikes of the city.  Even though I barely showered for a week, I think I smelled fairly fresh because of the wonderful scent of the trees, rivers, and shrubs.  Yeah!

About 1 hour in: 

Our guide in the white hat:

I love the way the trees curve inwards:

 

We spotted monkeys!

Tibetan Prayer Flags

Questionable

Dusk

Yak, Yak, Yak

Such a cutie kid

We passed this baby in basket, but no one else was in sight.  Where was Mommy?

Here, we are above the tree line - nothing but dry shrubs.

A Tibetan wall with scripture engraved in the stones

Baby Yak!

Almost at Destination: Kyanjin Ri!

One last meal before we get to the top!

Mm, momas!

Our lodge at Kyanjin Gompa

Climbing Kyanjin Ri!

Avalanche on the mountain next to us

Nearly There!

Yay, we made it to the top!

Highest point of the trek:

Kyanjin Ri, 4773 meters

We all saved up a special treat for when we reached the top.  I took sour gummi worms that I brought from home - yup, saved 'em for three months in Nepal for this special moment.  Here's what the others brought:

KitKat

Mixed nuts/fruit - so healthy.

Cigarette - that's my guide.

Me!  Cold, but happy!

Look at that view!

Ok, sitting there was probably not the best idea.  You can't tell from the picture, but right behind me was a very long fall straight to the bottom, and those were not stable rocks, which I realized once I sat down and almost fell off, but it's all about getting the picture, right? - run-on sentence.

Did not realize going down would be so treacherous compared to going up.

Donkeys bringing up food for the lodges.

I wonder who built this?  Significance?

The layers of mountains makes for such a majestic landscape:

The last day of the trek:

Last looooong climb uphill before reaching the end.  Why do you torture us so?

Made it back to base camp!  All in 7 days!  Woohoo.

Now, for some pool and good ol' Nepali Tea!  (beer's too expensive up in the mountains)