Samsara Journeys Web Blog

Hi Razzu and Marian,

We are back home safely and wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your wonderful team at Samsara in their care, tolerance and compassion in guiding us up and down the trails and valleys of Nepal. This was truly a best ever experience for us and we feel blessed to have shared the journey with you and our new friends from Vancouver.

I was especially interested in hearing from you Razzu about the nature and spiritual way of life of Bhuddism and how I might learn more and include it in my busy working life here in Vancouver, I look forward to visiting Nepal again possibly in the fall of 2011/12. We are hoping to do the trekk to Bhutan and spend some time in a Buddhist Monastery.

Thank you both for making this trip such a rewarding and inspirational adventure,

Namaste,
Brendan & Ute Russell.

Back row: ?, Cathy McQueen, Laura Keating, James Anderson, Liz Cochran, Ted Keating, Elaine Keating, Luba Scott, Marian Leighton, Doug Cochran, Casey Cochran, Brendan Russell, Katie Cochran, Ute Russell, Caitlin Rennison, Cecilia Rennison, Pat Rennison, Colleen Rennison.

Front row: Sam McQueen, Cam Scott, Ranu, ShyamKarky(The Sweeper), RazzuTuladhar(Our Fearless Leader), Suman, Ramis, Tsheering.

Photo taken at Annapurna Base Camp (El. 4200m), Nepal on Friday morning, October 29, 2010.

Phewa Lake, Pokhara

Annapurna Range from Base Camp

Arriving at Pokhara Airport

Day 01

Our porters relaxing

Reaching the top

South Face of Mt. Fishtail

The downward view from MBC

On Tuesday afternoon (Nov 2^nd), our group of 19 (plus guide, Sherpas and all of our support team) arrived safe and sound at Naya Pul (our trail terminus).  We had a little cloud and a few showers amongst what was mostly sunshine over the past couple of days, but as we look back, we were extremely fortunate to get the weather we did over this 10-day trek.

Last night we had a celebratory session of pizza and beer in Pokhara, and this morning we’re all off to Chitwan to commiserate with the elephants and rhinos.  Should be a nice break before we had back to Canada next Monday evening (Nov 8^th).

The weather during this Trek has been absolutely fantastic:  sunny and warm during the day and mostly clear and moonlit during the night.  Our leader, Razzu, says this is due to the fact that this group has good karma.  Could be, but it might also be because one of our group achieved Sainthood during the Trek (St. Ted).  Regardless, the weather has afforded us innumerable fantastic views of the snow-capped mountains that form what is known as Annapurna Sanctuary.

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The group have already reached Annapurna Base Camp. The weather was fantastic and everyone is in good shape and high spirits.

After 2 days of hard trekking, the group has reached Chomlong. Everyone is happy and in good health.

The participants of the ABC trek 2010 are:

Marian Leighton, Doug Cochran, Liz Cochran, Casey Cochran, Katie Cochran, Ted Keating, Elaine Keating, Laura Keating, James Anderson, Patrick Rennison, Cecilia Rennison, Caitlin Rennison, Colleen Rennison, Cathie McQueen, Sam McQueen, Brendan Russell, Ute Russell, Cam Scott, Luba Scott, Razzu Tuladhar, Shyam Karky

We’ll keep you posted on their adventure as we follow them along the rugged trails.  Here’s wishing them a great trek ahead !!

Wednesday, October 20: Kathmandu (Arrival)
Overnight Nirvana Garden Hotel

Thursday, October 21: Kathmandu
Overnight Nirvana Garden Hotel

Friday, October 22:  Kathmandu
Overnight Nirvana Garden Hotel.

Saturday, October 23 : Kathmandu - Pokhara
Overnight Hotel Stupa

Sunday, October 24 : Pokhara - Tolkha
Dinner and Overnight Camp at Tolka

Monday, October 25:Tolka - Chhomrong (2050 m).
Overnight at Chhomrong.

Tuesday, October 26:Chhomrong - Bamboo - Doban.
Overnight Bamboo or Doban

Wednesday, October 27: Bamboo or Doban
Overnight Bamboo or Doban

Thursday, October 28: Doban to Deorali
Overnight Deorali.

Friday, October 29: Deorali to Machhapucchhare Base Camp (3700 m)
Overnight at MBC.

Saturday, October 30: MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (4200 m) to MBC to Deorali
Overnight at Deorali

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