The 65 photographs, on display in Nepal Tourism Board, show picturesque locations in Humla, Dolpa, Mustang, Kagbeni, etc. There are also photographs of local people, a carcass of a mule, a tent only partially visible through the snow and a handful of Yarshagumbha. They have placed information on paper boards amongs clusters of photographs. One reads that during the eight days that it took to cover Dolpo, the team crossed six Himalayan passes (Niwar La, Sangada La, Chan La, Numa La, Begh La and Kagmara La), but just came across two small human settlements.[break]
Dipesh, a trekking guide, had completed ‘Mechi to Mahakali’ trek in 2007. This fueled a desire to explore more and he teamed up with Surose and Raju. In their four month trek, Dipesh and Raju consider Upper Dolpa as the most beautiful place they have been to. For Surose, it was the Tashi Lapcha Pass that was truly majestic. There was no dearth of exquisite natural beauty throughout their journey, and yet, the hardships weren’t exactly missing. The team recall how they would often be short of food for days on end, depending on yam till they came across a village where they would refill their supply. “Noodles, coffee and soup were our primary diet,” says Dipesh.
With just three of them, and only Dipesh with prior experience, they depended on maps and local people to guide their way forward. Dipesh says, “Sometimes, we would find that we were off trail and we had to make that extra journey to be on the right track.” That did not deter them, and there was never a moment where a team member had to be consoled.
Bijay Gajmer/Republica
L to R: Surose Maharjan, Dipesh Joshi and Raju Maharjan during their photo exhibition ´Mission High Himalayas and High Mountains" at Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu on Monday
For the Pathfinders, there is more to be explored in the country. Surose says, “I’d like to start again by visiting Everest Base Camp.” Raju says, “I want to trek the Great Himalaya Trail.” Dipesh nods his affirmation.
Tuesday is the last day of the exhibition at Nepal Tourism Board. They will be taking their exhibition to the Dubar Squares of Kirtipur, Patan and Bhaktapur.
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