Bidding goodbye to Kathmandu, we headed to the ever so rainy Samagaun. Manaslu is the only big expedition running this 2021 fall season so all traffic was going through Samagaun before heading to the base camp.
All the big names are in town: the Nepalese heroes of K2 winter ascend, a Qatari princess, lots of bloggers & vloggers(the cameras), the veteran mountaineers, and nobodys like me.
With heroes of K2 winter ascent!
Mingma Tenzi and Nimsdai
I spent the afternoon exploring the surrounding areas, particularly the monasteries right above Samagaun. Perhaps it’s because of the pandemic, some greater power was felt lacking in the world. A new monastery was being built during these troubled times. While some parts were still being finished one is free to go in and pay their respects.
During our monastery visit, my lead guide Mingma’s radio kept on going off. Folks were calling him to meet up. “Let’s drink some tea then head back.” Just like that, Mingma roped me into drinking tea, enjoying Roxi(a local barley alcohol), and eating spicy meat jerky with the Sherpa guides.
