Bob's Blog

Finders Keepers

Lamjura La (3530m)

Slept in a little, waking at 8am. Wasn't sure whether I should stay or go. It was the best guesthouse and town I'd been in by a distance. My knee was hurting from the big downhill on day one. A day off made sense. I flipped for it, it said I should stay. I decided to leave at 11am.

I didn't have a rain coat or down jacket, was going to get one in Kathmandu, but by the amount of trekking stuff they sell in Kathmandu, I was pretty sure I'd find something discarded. And today the trail gaveth. A rain jacket and a puffer jacket, but I turned my nose up at the puffer, a bit too rotten even for me.

The rain jacket came in useful, as I had the first day of rain. Though I hadn't washed it yet and it stank. Put in on nevertheless better than getting wet. Sherpa size (too small) and the zip was broken, still beggars can't be choosers!

Was also on the lookout for a good stick. Saw a Sherpa with a bamboo one the day before, and thought it'd help bracing the downhills for my knee. And the bamboo forest appeared. The trail giveth again. Found a decent width one, too narrow and it was too flexible. Snapped it and used my knife to cut it to size.

Walked past the most vicious dog I have ever encountered, and that's a fair amount. Surprised each other as I walked past his kennel. Was chained up, but he was so aggressive I barely wanted to walk past. I had my stick but it would have been useless against this proper caged animal.

Should have stopped at some monastery village to save my knee the next 900m downhill though I trouped on in the rain. Passing first donkeys so far. Donkey owners never say hello. Fair enough.

On more of a main trail now. More tourists. Not sure how I feel about that. I'm in the room with all the white people, all the guides and Sherpas are in the next room. I should go to the lodge where no one else goes, that'll solve it.