Updates From Everest Calonica Monsoon Season Brings Muddy Trails Tuesday, August 12, 1997 (Manang, Nepal) Greetings from Manang (3,351 m/11,000 ft). Woke up to it raining this morning in Thorong Phedi and was Martina in Manang hoping for it to stop like it usually does after 8 a.m. or so, but no deal. Today it’s stayed with us for the entire walk down to Manang. It was only a four hour walk but still a good one. The trail was muddy and slippery and ankle deep at times, just all kinds of fun -- if you like slipping around in the mud anyway. Kind of brings you back to the good ole days when you thought nothing of it to roll around all day in it, only to find out that it wasn’t cool when your Mom saw you. It’s still monsoon season here and everything is green and lush with wild flowers growing all over the place. It’s almost too beautiful to be true. I keep pinching myself from time to time to make sure I’m not dreaming. Tomorrow we head off to Tilicho Lake at 5,000+ meters or 16,600 feet. This area has tons of Himalayan Man Carrying Lumber beauties that grow directly out from the Lake. Here are just a few: Tilicho Peak (7,134 m), Khangsar Kang (7,465 m), Tarke Kang (7,193 m), Gangapurna (7,485 m), and sitting just behind these peaks sits Annapurna I (8,091 m) Annapurna III (7,855 m) and on and on and on. It’s never ending there are huge Himalayan peaks everywhere you look. I was in this area three years ago and can honestly say it was perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and I've been around the block you might say, so expect to see some great photos coming your way soon. -- Craig Calonica, Expedition Leader [Back to Updates Home]