Hiking near the Himalayas: Mules and kids
About this recording
- Creator
- Kristin Post
- Date created
- October 20, 2000
- Duration
- 1:12
- Location
- Ghorapani Loop, Nepal
- File
- MP3
- License
- This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use
Related media
Learn more
- Search LEARN NC for animals, Annapurna, bells, children, donkeys, herding, mountains, mules, Nepal, trails, and trekking.
In the classroom
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Trekking in the Himalayas in Nepal is not like trekking on the Appalachian Trail. Nor is it the same as climbing Mount Everest. Most tourists take certain routes, either to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, or a shorter route along the same trail. The trails are made of paved stone stairs, they are dotted with villages, and trekkers stay in guesthouses along the way. The views of the tallest mountains in the world are always present, but distant. The trails are narrow and steep, and well traveled by animals and people making their living, like these children mule drivers we pass.
As I walk, you can hear the distant sound of the bells approaching. You can also hear the noises the young boys make to keep the mules in line and moving along. After we greet each other, you can hear one of the boys is interested in seeing my microphone. Many children may work in Himalayan villages for their families rather than go to school, which may be located far away or too expensive for a family to afford.
From my journal:
By the time we get to Ghandruk, I am sore in the back and feet, and sick of stairs. Shower is hot. But I am cold, so I crawl into the sleeping bag. Sabine and I are talking, Devi [our guide] wants us to take a tour of the town. Beautiful view. Pretty luxurious place. Take pictures of sunset, then decide to take tour- which is late — we get to great view, but sun has set. Machupuchare, all the Annapurnas in view. Devi takes us through local museum. We look at cooking pots, weaving implements, jugs, clothes, lanterns, guns, churn, etc. Back to place where we visit with some Canadians then go watch a video about ACAP — the conservation organization that also gives money to the villages where these trails are.
[next day]
Rest of trek is uphill. It’s beautiful. These terraced hills, and the rivers- with the color of the glacier — and all the little waterfalls that highlight the mountainside.
