Taplejung to Jiri
(October-November 2012):
5. Hongon to Yangla Kharka (5 days)
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Hongon was the last village that we traversed until reaching Chukhung in Khumbu twelve days
later. The trail between Hongon and Yangla Kharka (located at 3560m
along the Makalu BC trekking trail) is never difficult, but is remote and
consists of many ups and downs between dense vegetation and snow-covered
terrain. |
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Leaving Hongon in the early morning sun.
We soon
crossed a dense rain-like forest...
...before reaching snow again around Molun
Pokhari (lake) at 4000m.
Some steeper terrain above Molun Pokhari.
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View of Makalu
during the descent to Tin Pokhari.
We then
entered a narrow side valley leading to Tibet at Chiranchoma
La (4393m).
We camped in
this valley near a small hut (3100m) used in the summer by yak herders. The
border with Tibet was only 6-7km away.
Waterfall above the valley.
Due to its N-S
orientation, the valley was a very cold place, especially when we left on the
following morning.
Strangely shaped trees along the way to our next camp.
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Our next camp
was at a place called Nava Odar (3050m), which means
something like ′cave camp′.
On the next
morning we started with a steep ascent of more than 1000m to reach snow level again, with views over some high peaks (the high peaks in
the third photo below are located in Tibet).
Scenery before reaching our 4100m camp. (Matt Scott
photo)
Frozen rhododendrons at our 4100m camp.
After several
other ups and downs we eventually descended into the valley of the Barun river through a beautiful
forest.
Then we soon
reached Yangla Kharka, the
first truly welcoming place, with its few tea-houses, since the village of Hongon. (Matt Scott photo)
In Yangla Kharka, Matt (who had hurt
his left shoulder in a fall along the steep trail below Thudam)
and Kai (who had a family emergency) left the trip. A helicopter arranged by Ang Karma flew them to Lukla (a
15min flight), where they took a regular flight to Kathmandu. On the same day,
we sent back six of our porters to Kathmandu through Tumlingtar,
in order to have a more compact team to cross the 3 passes between Makalu BC
and Chukhung.
The helicopter
landing, on the ground (Matt Scott photo), and taking off (video).
Other parts of the trek:
1.
Taplejung to Olangchun Gola (4 days)
2. Olangchun Gola (1 day)
3. Crossing
Lumba Samba pass (3 days)
4. Tudham to Hongon (3 days)
5. Hongon to Yangla Kharka (5 days)
6. Yangla Kharka to Sherpani Col High Camp (4 days)
7. Crossing
of Sherpani and West Cols (1 day)
8. Hongu basin to Namche across Amphu Lapsta (3 days)
9. Namche to Jiri (5 days)