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21/02/2014
Bought Lawrence's chocy bars off him at a mates rate price, said bye, and set off with the new gang early in the morn, where I was instated as the tour guide lol. We made slow progress but met some new marras along the way. One guy called Thomas, a massive crazy Czech Republic guy who was wearing shorts and a French guy called AZ of Moroccan decent. Had a good craic on with cliff whilst walking up. He'd done hiking when he was younger and could easily handle a fast pace. I could tell from how the guy held himself he had a good job; he worked for a brand innovation company in London, and got a 1st in psychology. His missus also worked for a pharmaceutical company. Turns out they were familiar with the NE having both studied in Newcastle.
We eventually reached Thorung Peddi and the group was knackered as this was one village back from where we did it last time, and it was a big elevation incline. We then had all had a big group meeting and decided to kick on as not to waste another day. We waited for a age to get the weather report from BBC world news and we could see a storm was a bout to hit Nepal, but it was just west of our direction so we were praying it wouldn't hit us. The plan was to do the pass if it didn't. So on we went!
We also picked up two more buddies, two Canadian lasses who were paying $50 a day for their guide, who was honestly more use than a chocolate fire guard. He had only done the pass a few times, never in the snow, and also didn't have a clue about how the weather was going to turn. No mobile nothing. Absolute disgraceful. We eventually all made it to the top and there was plenty of high fives. The girls guide was not so enthusiastic though, and was really reluctant to go any further, he was basically scared, and in the back of his mind he knew he didn't know the way in the snow. He didn't even want any money off us when we offered to chip in. The girls ended up having a big row with him as he was useless. We eventually all decided that if it was clear tomorrow we'd all go for it, praying the blizzard wouldn't hit us.
22/01/2012
We awoke at craic of dawn once more, and were greeted by snowfall. The girls guide had also slept in, and was no where to be seen. The general consensus was soon decided upon as a no go. We spent the remainder of the day playing cards, teaching other new games, and talking about travelling. Had an hilarious craic on with Thomas, who was now dubbed Czech Tracktor, given he could honestly plough through anything infront of him. His legs were ridiculously long and when he stood up he towered over everything. The guy is a 11000% legend, he was the canniest person, really courteous always sharing his food, which up means a real deal given how expensive it is, and how hungry people must be. He always just seemed to be smilling contently, even when he was just sitting listening in. He was also really good at keeping the moral going, and kept insisting 'we gonna do it' and that no matter what the outcome was tomorrow he was gonna make the pass. This fighting talk was the stuff I wanted to hear!
The girls had also decided that they couldn't afford to stay up the mountain any longer as they had only paid for so many days, and they didn't want to over run, so reluctrantly went back down the mountain. The snow didn't lay off either, so they walked all day during the snow. Meanwhile us had another big meeting and decided not having a guide wouldn't be good as the path would have disappeared, and we didn't know where to go. We all decided on paying $200 for a guide, 30 each but only 20 for frenchie as he was skint. This was on the premises that me, Czech tractor and Cliff would rotate on breaking the path. But the guide would just have to sit at the back and point out the way.
Then at nearly 9 at night, before going to clock off, we saw lights and voiced coming over the mountain in the blizzard!!!! WTF??!!!! Then entered two Chinese tourists and a guide. Turns out they were doing the pass in reverse fashion, up the steep incline AND in the snow. They had been trekking 14 hours in zero visibility conditions. They also who had a porter who apparently couldn't keep on going carrying the heavy load so he had to break into a disused tea house and sleep there. Honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing.
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