The first day of trekking in Nepal was exhilarating. At first, I thought I would not keep up with the rest of the group. I started at the front of the line, just behind our guide. Within a few minutes, I dropped back close to the end. Eventually, I discovered what would become “my stride.”
![Lakeside lodging in Kathmandu](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1940.jpg?resize=224%2C300&ssl=1)
The trekking day began at 6:30 am — a timeline we would keep from here on for this journey.
We left the lakeside resort at 8:30 am. After breakfast, we packed the last articles of clothing we’d need for our 4-day hike in our OAT (Overseas Travel Adventure) duffle bags.
A bumpy van ride in our dated bus led us through the already busy town of Pokhara.
Already, the scenery was getting interesting!
![Roadside view of Nepal outside Pokara](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1993.jpg?resize=300%2C224&ssl=1)
The first stop was a modern cultural museum dedicated to the history of mountain climbing in the Himalayas.
![Mt. Anapura poster at the Mountain Museum on the way to our trekking lodge](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1954.jpg?resize=300%2C224&ssl=1)
Next was a rest stop and our first view of Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain.
![Mt. Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2001.jpg?resize=750%2C560&ssl=1)
“Fishtail” is known as “Machhapuchhre” to the people of the western Himalayas –Machha (Fish) + Puchhre (Tail). The nearly 23,000-foot mountain has never been climbed because of its spiritual significance to the people of Nepal.
![Fishtail Mountain of Nepal](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2003.jpg?resize=750%2C560&ssl=1)
Our guide said we were incredibly fortunate to have such a good mountain view. It was magical to see it rising above the clouds.
After another two hours on the bus and a quick lunch, we headed to where we would begin our trek. There, we were met by our porters…five females from one of the nearby villages.
![IMG_2051 IMG_2051](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2051.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_2053 IMG_2053](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2053.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_2050 IMG_2050](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2050-scaled.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
The women are members of a village group that works to provide opportunities for females outside of their customary roles. Since very few have a chance to be trekking guides, these women are trained as porters for small excursions. They make a bit of money for their services, which they can use to help support their families, bringing them great pride.
![Mountain women porters for trek in the western Himalayas](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2120.jpg?resize=750%2C560&ssl=1)
We started the trek above 3500 feet. That’s the highest altitude I’ve been in years! My “comfort zone” is closer to sea level.
![Trekking on rough roads in Nepal that climb up steep mountains](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_20741.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
We walked up and up into the mountainous region, passing villages and terraced farmland.
![IMG_2079 IMG_2079](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2079.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_2064 IMG_2064](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2064.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_2105 IMG_2105](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2105-scaled.jpg?w=262&h=262&crop=1&ssl=1)
Believe me, the climb was not easy! Thank goodness for the trekking stick and patient guides. The uneven roads and rocky paths were a challenge. By the time we reached our destination in the late afternoon, we were above 4600 feet.
![IMG_2125 IMG_2125](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2125-scaled.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_2089 IMG_2089](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2089-scaled.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
Everyone we met — well, maybe not everyone — waved and shouted “Namaste”.
![Trekking group on the way to lodge](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2117.jpg?resize=224%2C300&ssl=1)
![IMG_2078](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2078.jpg?resize=750%2C1004&ssl=1)
Some hikers, I guess, were not so lucky. A shrine to lost mountaineers reminded us of the recent avalanche on Annapurna. The Sherpas, lost among the others, were well known in this part of Nepal.
![IMG_1947 IMG_1947](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1947.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_1949 IMG_1949](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1949-scaled.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
By late afternoon, we reached the lodge.
We would spend the next four nights in our little cabins there.
![Mountain lodge path to individual cabins](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2131.jpg?resize=224%2C300&ssl=1)
![Women porters finish their day's long journey](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2136.jpg?resize=750%2C939&ssl=1)
Beautiful!
![Home away from home for four nights on the Himalayan trek](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2130.jpg?resize=750%2C1004&ssl=1)
Evening schedule
![Tea, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies served at the cabin door each evening](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2138.jpg?resize=300%2C285&ssl=1)
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies were served to us at each cabin. At 5pm sharp.
Dinner at 6:30pm.
Bedtime: 8:30.
No heat in the cabin… just a hot water bottle.
No one complained. We knew we would wake up the following day and see the sun shining on this magnificent place.
![Annapurna mountain range view from my cabin porch](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4661.jpg?resize=750%2C560&ssl=1)
![Annapurna](https://i0.wp.com/bfblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_4666.jpg?resize=750%2C494&ssl=1)
![IMG_1973 IMG_1973](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1973-scaled.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![IMG_1970 IMG_1970](https://i0.wp.com/barefootblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_1970-scaled.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)