Tatopani to Sinuwa
November 3 - November 6

Poon Hill Sunrise

Everyone in Ghorepani wakes up at 4:00am to climb Poon Hill for incredible sunrises views of the Annapurnas.

Moon and Venus at Sunrise

I was able to get a shot with the sun coming up over the Pokhara area with the Moon and Venus still visible.

Headlamps Required!

Most people wear headlamps while climbing the steep and slick trail to Poon Hill.  Here the trail of lights can be seen leading back to Ghorepani.

Willy and Chuck atop Poon Hill

I've still got my headlamp on as Willy and I pose for one last shot before reteating to Ghorepani to beat the crowds down and get a big breakfast.

Poon Hill Crowd

If the morning is clear, it seems almost everyone in Ghorepani climbs Poon Hill the next morning.  There were at least 300 people there the morning we went.

Machhapuchhre

Also known as Fishtail because of its distinctive shape, is a holy mountain to the Nepali people and no one is allowed to climb it.

Sikha Bulls and Chicago Bulls

Since the loss of Michael Jordan these guys might give the Chicago team a run for their money.  All along the trail the most popular Western brands are Coke, Nike and the Chicago Bulls.  Although most of it is not NBA licensed I saw more Bulls paraphernalia than I do in my hometown of Chicago.

Lower Chomrong viewed from Upper Chomrong

I have never sweat so much as when I climbed these stairs (all 3037 of them).  My black backpack straps turned white from the salt of being saturated in sweat.

Sinuwa from Chomrong

This stretch would prove to be the hardest I did in Annapurna; making matters worse it has to be done twice, once into the Sanctuary and once coming out.

Chomrong from Sinuwa

This shot looks back at the spot where the two pictures above were taken.  It took roughly four hours to get from their to here where we stopped for lunch.  Later than night Willy and I both paired down so we were carrying only the absolute necessities each leaving behind a stuff sack to be picked up on the return trip.