Day 12 Lho to Samagaon
Awoke before 6 and walked up trail for sunrise but it was cold so I came back and walked to roof of pink hotel where I chatted with Tuni and Clara, from northeast Germany.
Left Lho just before 8. Saw many Porters coming down carrying solar panels and even a big satellite dish.
Stunning views of Manaslu and other mountains as well as strong smell of pines walking through the forest.
Stopped in Shyala for tea and enjoyed beautiful views. Cold but sun is warm. Continued on to Samagaon and Hotel Manaslu Which was one of better hotels. Nice upstairs cement patio with great views of surrounding mountains. Sat up there all afternoon. Talked with Swedes and Dutch and then Polish couple who just opened a hotel in east Zanzibar. Found out from lady owner that the drying vegetables on roof were radishes not potatoes. We all went to dining room after sun went down over the mountains. It stayed light for a good 1 ½ hour but got cold. Played cards with Tuni, Clara and some Russian game translated as Idiot.
Day 13 Samagaon to Samdo:
Woke just before 6 and had Masala tea in kitchen with brother of owner woman. Nice chat as he was listening to Om Mani Padme Hom. He spends winter here and family is in Kathmandu. We left at 8:10 and were alone for 3 hour walk to Samdo. Lots of snow and mud but not too bad. And of course more spectacular views.
We arrived by noon at the Yak Hotel which was pretty good. There was an upstairs dining room with lots of windows and warm with the bright sun. 4 Swiss in a group and a couple from Zurich as well were there. They are here for a second day for acclimatization purposes. We were informed that the Pass opened yesterday for the first time in 10 days. Hooray! 2 girls, Nora and Sam, from Holland showed up later. The 3 Germans came later but stayed at next hotel. Clara came by and wanted to stay at Yak Hotel but will probably come tomorrow. Nice chat with the Dutch girls. We all cozied around decent fire and crashed at 8. I felt pretty good going to bed so decided to skip the acclimatization day and continue on to the Base Camp for the walk over Larkya La Pass.
That peak is just incredible
Yeah it sure was. When I saw the photo that evening in the teahouse I thought it was so beautiful I would have thought it was digitally enhanced but of course it wasn’t.