AROUND DHAULAGIRI
Dhaulagiri (8167 m), or "White Mountain" is the 13th of the highest mountains of our globe. It was the first more than 8000 metres' high mountains ever measured (1818 r.) and for years Dhaulagiri was considered as the highest peak of the world. For yen years the mountaineers struggled with the mountain and finally six members of Swiss Expedition (including two Sherpas) reached the summit on May 13th, 1960. The trekking route around Dhaulagiri follows the wild and hardly accessible Mayangdi Valley and crosses two high mountain passes, both over 5000 metres above sea level. It is one of the most difficult and adventurous of Himalayan treks although highly recommended.
Although it was a beginning of October, a wet monsoon did not give up and dark, thick clouds were still covering the mountains. The first leg of the trekking is a bumpy bus ride from Pokhara towards Baglung and a short hike along beautiful Kali Gandaki Valley to Beni - the biggest village in the area. Rain, heavy at the beginning, began to cease gradually and before we saw first buildings of Beni village sun has already managed to break through the clouds. This year monsoon was over.
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Morning welcomed us with wonderful weather with majestic Dhaulagiri bathing in first still yellow sunrays. Beni marked the end of a good trail for us, which was going up Kali Gandaki Valley and our small caravan entered the rarely visiting Mayangdi valley. |
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The lower part of the valley is situated on relatively low elevation (825-1100 m) and at the beginning of a dry season it was smothered with rich green tropical vegetation. Almost every flat peace of land was taken by equally green rice paddies. This part of the valley is quite densely inhabited and from time to time we were passing bursting with life colourful villages. Sometimes we also had to cross surprisingly well maintained hanging bridges spanning banks of raging waters of Mayangdi River. |
More pictures from Nepal
Nepal - Table of Contents
"Nepal Homalaya" - Flash Presentation 
© Jacek Piwowarczyk, Nepal 1996 
