The Annapurna Circuit (Hardwear Sessions)

By Ben Clark

April 29, 2008

We are in the high country now, 24,688-foot tall Annapurna IV looms large above us. Still we have 13,000 ft and many days to go. Our arrival in basecamp tomorrow will signify the beginning of the true climb.

We have traveled on foot for 5 days, Tim, Josh and our cook staff and 20 porters. We are a large and slow moving unit. Each day begins with music and cheering from the porters and each night laughter cuts the darkness. This is a fun place to be and a great adventure for us all.

On April 30, we plan to move to a camp at 15,500 ft on a large step below the North ridge and thundering North face of the mountain. We will wait three days before beginning our first ascent of the mountain.

Our plan is to pick our way through technical rock and ice sections before reaching the ridgeline where we will determine a proper spot for a high camp.

If we feel good on this initial foray, we will go for the top. If we elect not to, we will ski down, rest a few days and then give it another go. We are experienced in this range, excited about what we can see from here and positive the line will go.

April 27, 2008

We are on our third day of trekking on the Annapurna Circuit. Today, April 27th, we saw our first view of the ridgeline leading to our climbing and skiing objective, 24,688′ Annapurna IV. My heart couldn't stop racing, reflecting the mountain view and the culture of Nepal.

Rapid growth is happening on this popular circuit.

In three years the road to nowhere will soon reach a centuries old destination, Manang. Explorers, then trekkers and now tourists will be able to heighten their experience while lowering their impact on the rocky trail that will become the road.

We have encountered men carrying ten foot tall sections of sheet metal, others carry telescoping jack posts for power lines. In three months it will reach Jagat. Children, the elderly and locals are slowly chipping away the granite and limestone, trees fall from overhead cutting the humidity. It is a scene from Nepal, new and modern, yet still not classless.

Tim said it best, we are having fun, here is why. Tim saw a man carrying a load of chickens in a cage, each jockeying over one another and he thought "It's hot, but this is ok." Soon it started to thunder as a man carried sheet metal past him and he thought, "This is ok." Later a man who carried a part of a 90 kilogram power line, turning sideways to make it kilometers down the road rested outside while we sipped tea, "This is definitely ok."

Chame, where I now sit, is a stop 48 kilometers into the trek and windy. The mountains now surround us, the jungle is now no more than a salty outline on our packs--we have moved fast. It is bustling with a healthy amount of friendly locals and international trekkers, faces are splitting with smiles.

We are thrilled to be here. We will arrive in basecamp in two days.