Day 08 Trekking to Kodari
On 19/08/2014, we were finally told that we will be moving ahead towards the border village called Kodari (144km from Kathmandu). However, there had been a huge landslide and the roads were blocked. Our options was to trek across, how long we did not know. Those who were unable to do the trek were flown over by Helicopters.
The fire to reach Kailash was strong in all of us and we hiked and trekked through forests, villages, farms, streams, waterfalls on rocky slippery wet Earth. The path was sometimes steep and had space only for a single foot and invariably there would be two way traffic at such spots. Traffic included the local people of all age groups wearing rubber chappals and huge load of items. It was amazing to see the strength, speed and agility of the young and old Sherpa's carrying upto 10 duffle bags, 10-15kgs each (ever grateful to them!). Old ladies were seen bent over carrying big gas cylinders through the rough terrain that was the only lifeline for the villages affected by the landslide. Some people greeted us with a "Shambho" while we stayed with our chants of Shambho or Om Namah Shivaya.
We all were advised to walk at our own pace. We bumped into each other at the little tea/maggie huts that suddenly sprung up through the mountains. With the encouragement of volunteers that the destination is just another "10 minutes", we crossed 5 mountains, many villages, rope bridges and water bodies. It was most disheartening to see the entire mountainside collapsed. From 10:30am - 2:50pm. Water and cooling off was needed. Heads were aching apart from legs and the jelly knees. Around 3:30pm, Swami Prabodha took us further in the bus to Kodari.
Let the pictures speak the rest.
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