Namrung

Our walk continues up the Bhudi Gandaki valley but now the river is flowing faster with frequent foaming gorges and rapids. Perched on the river banks are tiny clusters of stone houses surrounded by recently cleared fields with stacks of animal fodder drying in the sun. These villages are seriously low tech, hand looms for weaving cloth and water mills for grinding grains. However rooftops feature small solar panels amongst the drying vegetables (pumpkins, peppers, mushrooms).

We take morning tea in Bihi Phedi and eat lunch in Ghap. The mani walls are getting longer, with stacks of slates carved with mantras or intricate Buddha designs to keep evil spirits at bay. The final section climbing 300m to Namrung (2540m) passes into rhododendron and bamboo forest. Following the winding, stone pathway in the fading afternoon light the bright autumn colors of the leaves appear luminous.