Trekking Nepal

For the past few days, I have been preparing for my upcoming Trek through the Himalayas. Preparing entails shopping for supplies (I am officially a faux North Face ad), resting and hiking around.

On Monday, October 20th, I am starting the Jomsom Trek. I chose this trek, opposed to the Everest Base Camp Trek, for a couple of reasons. Jomsom is not as technically challenging as Everest Base Camp, important as I am recently recovered from a month of various ailments and am not physically ready to ascend 9,000 meters over 14 days. Additionally, Jomsom is more scenic and culturally interactive. As a bonus, which I discovered after I booked the trip, the Jomsom trek has some of the best hillside accommodations in Nepal. Still doesn't save me from using the outhouse in the middle of the night, but I like the thought of whatever 'some of the best accommodations' means. Since day trip 'pee' breaks are usually road side stops in a semi-discrete location, the outhouse shouldn't be much of a problem.
The trek is 9 days and starts in Nayapul at an elevation of about 1070 meters above sea level. Each day we will decide how far we will go and where we will stop for meals and lodging. Below is an anticipated route, but will change based on my stamina.
Day 1: Hike to Tirkhedungu: approximately 4 hours ascending to 1480 meters
Day 2: Hike to Ghorepani: approximately 4 hours ascending to 2750 meters
Day 3: Hike to Poon Hill then to Tatopani: approximately 7 1/2 hours ascending up to 3,200 meters then descending to 1190 meters. This is one of the deepest mountain gorges in the world, and the trail is surrounded by mountains. In Tatopani there are hot springs to help with the pain of the first few days
Day 4: Hike to Ghasa: approximately 6 1/2 hours ascending to 2010 meters
Day 5: Hike to Larjung: approximately 6 1/2 hours ascending to 2550 meters
Day 6: Hike to Jomsom: approximately 5 1/2 hours ascending to an elevation of 2720 meters
Day 7: Hike to Mukinath: approximately 6 1/2 hours ascending to our max elevation of 3760 meters
Day 8: Hike back to Jomsom
Day 9: Fly back to Pokhara

I am trekking with a guide, who I selected from our Bhote Kosi rafting trip, and a porter, who will carry the bags. Click here to see a map of the trek (page 2). Although this is not the company I am going with and their stops are different, it shows the path and the surrounding mountain ranges. I am so excited!!
I do not anticipate being able to get online while trekking. I will blog again upon my return on the 29th.