Nepal (April 2016): Valleys of Nepal‛s Northwestern Corner

5. Nampa Valley

banner

Return to main Nepal 2016 webpage

 

map-annotated

 

After visiting the Tinkar valley we returned to Gaga and moved into the Nampa valley. Unlike Tinkar valley, Nampa valley has never been a trade route, but it is bounded on its southern side by an impressive series of glaciers descending from multiple 6000+m peaks, including Api Himal. Nowdays few local people go into this valley. Trails, which probably have never been great, are now in terrible shape. Our progress was slow and we did not go as far as I had initially planned. In addition, with the approach of the monsoon, many farmers at lower elevation in Nepal and India had started huge fires. The air was loaded with smoke most of the time, limiting visibility. This was unfortunate, because the valley boasts superlative views.

 

View at the entrance of the valley soon after leaving Gaga.

DSC02522

 

Avalanche debris.

DSC02678

DSC02681

 

Typical terrain in the lower part of the valley. The trail was non-existent due to numerous former landslides and avalanches.

DSC02534

 

DSC02537

 

DSC02539

 

DSC02540

 

DSC02557

 

DSC02674

 

Higher up in the valley, we hiked up onto a flat area on the southern side of the valley that is used as a pasture during the summer months. The air was heavily loaded with smoke.

DSC02558

 

DSC02575

 

DSC02570

 

DSC02567

DSC02568

 

The area was covered with a huge number of these flowers (mostly purple ones).

DSC02551

DSC02556

 

DSC02622

DSC02668

 

Looking back (toward the west) at the Nampa valley. The first photo below clearly shows the canyon of Nampa Khola and on its left (south) the flat terrain on which we have hiked.

DSC02587

 

DSC02612

 

However, the flat terrain was frequently cut by deep and steep side canyons that slow down our progress.

DSC02566

DSC02565

 

Sunrise over one of the peaks on the southern side of the valley, seen from one of our camps.

DSC02663

 

Afternoon view over the same peak. Melting snow was acting as a mirror reflecting sun light.

DSC02636

 

Another peak slightly north of the previous one, shot again in the morning (first photo) and in the afternoon (second photo).

DSC02576

 

DSC02630

 

Peaks further up in the valley.

DSC02608

 

DSC02595

 

Views of the valley descending from Api Himal (visible on the right sides of the photos).

DSC02609

 

DSC02606

 

DSC02599 - Copy

 

banner

Return to main Nepal 2016 webpage