Day 140 - 2870 Metres Elevation. Tatopani to Ghorepani

We got all the way down the mountain only to climb the next one. Technically Ghorepani is on a "hill", but "hill" in Nepal equals mountain everywhere else in the world. The day was long and physically challenging - we ascended about 1700 metres in over 11 Kilometres, much of it on inconsistantly-sized stone stairs. It was amazing how quickly the temperature cooled as we climbed in elevation. We started the day in t-shirs, and by the time we reached Ghorepani, we were all back in fleece jackets.

Most of yesterday's hike, and all of today's wound through rhododendron forests. Nepal is home to over 30 species of rhododendron, from the shrubs that we are all familiar with, to towering trees. The trekking high seasons are autumn, for the clearest mountain views and most comfortable weather, and spring when whole hillsides are ablaze with blooms.