Dan Kharka to Khopra Trek Day 8

We woke up at 7 am. It was colder last night close to 3000m. We played Phase 10 by the fire last night, so much colder without the fire this morning. We started our 660m ascent over 4.5 km at 9am. We saw so many more trekkers today coming down from Khopra and one group we leap frogged with up. It was an unbelievable climb. Our guides paced us so well. We stopped for many short breaks. One of our breaks we were the same elevation as Mohare Danda. So the rest of the climb was new territory with elevation. We all did well because they walk us very slowly to acclimatize. No medication needed. The guides showed us plants for medicinal purposes along our hike. We saw flat slate rocks layed out where the locals feed their goats salt from. The Buffalo, oxen, yaks, & goats climb up and down what we have done throughout the trek w the herders. The temp change was significant from start to finish. We enjoyed an amazing Dal Bhat today with soybeans that were so tasty. We are continuing after lunch to climb slightly higher so we acclimatize even more when we come back to the lodge. We have decided to do the 10-12 km over 8-9hrs to Khayer Lake tomorrow. It will be a 900m elevation climb difference tomorrow. We hiked up to just over 3800m (over 12,000 ft) after lunch and found the herd of yaks. There were only about 15 males and the rest females (gnaks) and babies. They sell the male babies, the tails and their hair is used as well. When we got back the sun opened up on the Fang and Annapurna South for a few minutes. They are so incredible this close. We are early to bed to get up at 5:30 am for a quick breakfast and start our long day for 4 of us doing this last hike. Some are opting to stay and relax or go for a shorter hike.Read more