We had a wobbly start to Day 2 due to little sleep--thanks to the cold--porridge and uber runny eggs. No worries, our spirits were lifted by the brilliant sunshine and total visibility of the Himali peaks. With a full day of trekking ahead we loaded up and commenced our slow and steady climb. With a good pitch and Thom setting the pace we endured a two hour "buns-of-steele" stair master class!
The first ridge of the day offered a scenic resting place to take photos, de-layer and re-hydrate. Then, just like a scene out of Road Warriors--the bikers arrived!
As they mounted their machines we slung our packs over our shoulders and said we'd race them to the top. Running at hight altitude is not advised, needless to say the German and Spaniard we're on their way down as we were stopping for lunch... halfway up the face. Shocking! Not that we're making excuses for ourselves, we did however make a stop at ridge two. Breath regained and Inuit slate sculpture constructed we proudly left our mark in the Himalayan's and bravely ventured up. Where is ridge three?!
Muktinath feels like a frontier trading post with a police check-in station that doubles as the butcher and an eclectic mix of residence and guests: granola, rasta, the Russian one-man expedition team and of course, all the devout (and fit) Hindis who have made the pilgrimage to the high mountain monastery (that also welcomes Buddhists and others...) What a place...
Why are the mountains spinning?! Difficult to find a horizon line, time for more garlic soup and ginger tea.
Good Night and Good Luck.
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