Danisher to Duoba (1870m)

Fortunately, we enjoyed an easier today as it was downhill all the way. The trail was full of delights too leading us through dense forest and on narrow, steep slopes that ran alongside the river. By contrast to yesterday, we enjoyed colour, sounds, encounters with yaks, donkeys, cattle, and goats. The sight of nothing but granite yesterday was enough for one trip. However, the tall mountains on either side of the trail were stunning today. Our donkey crew passed us at about 7km, the half way mark. We had our lunch in a beautiful shady spot only a few hundred meters from the small village of Khomori Goitan. Our four legged companion, named Bear, wandered into our camp the first night and has followed us every step of the way since. He takes an interest in us all, and we in him. When we crossed the river at the village a family claimed that he was their dog but Bear would have no part of it and took off. No coaxing from any of us to get him to go back worked, so I guess there is more to the story. We crossed the Archamaidon and Sarmat Rivers before reaching camp in Duoba around 2:30pm. Free time until dinner at 7pm. Time for a rest, a stroll around camp, some reading and writing and an opportunity to reflect on the fact that we are fortunate enough to be here. What a grand way to spend the day! I laughed at the sight of the donkeys rolling in a sandy spot near the river at our campsite. I bet their backs get itchy covered in a saddle and bags of camp gear for hours and it probably feels as good to them as us removing our hiking boots and dipping our bare feet in the cold stream. Our day finished with a campfire and sing song. Our camp crew sang in Tajik and got us up dancing and we responded with English songs. We went back and forth a few times and then things fell apart when we tried to sin the 12 Days of Christmas and got stuck at number 8. All in all, it was great fun and their smiles are infectious even if we don’t have a word in common.Read more