| The day started with a 200m/650ft
steep descent through rhododendron trees into the Hinku Valley, and our
first view of Mera Peak. Near the bottom, we turned left to follow an
undulating path which eventually dropped to the moraine in the Hinku
Valley. Here, we got our first view of the devastation caused by the
glacial lake Sabai Tsho, up from Tagnac, which burst in 1998 after an
avalanche from Charpati Himal crashed into the water. What devastation
water can do. (photo: Looking down into the Hinku Valley) |
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| We arrived at our lunch stop on the
edge of the moraine, near a Tea House settlement, at about 1130. (photo: The full extent of the dam burst can be seen) |
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| Lunch over, we set off on a
three-hour slog up the rocky moraine, eventually climbing up the left
bank to reach our next camp site. By now, as was usual in early
afternoon, the clouds had appeared, rain started, wind developed and
generally rather bleak. The terrain actually reminded me of the
northwest of Scotland on a bad day! (photo: Porters with their loads) |
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| Spent the rest of the night in my
sleeping bag, other than the evening meal at 1830. Best place for
keeping warm. (photo: Trekking up the rocky Hinku Valley) |
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