Annapurna Circuit, Nepal 2022 – Ron's Outdoors Photography

David and I hired Mountain Experience of Kathmandu. This is the company Warren Storkman used in all my previous trips to Nepal. They were great, and took care of all the details making our trip fun and safe. I was happy to meet Chhuldim and Tamding Sherpa again and to catch up on old trips.

Our goal was to complete the Annapurna Circuit Treck including the Thorung La Pass.

**Thorung Peak (6144m) view along the trail**

We had planned for a couple of days in Kathmandu, to get organized after the long flight. We spent the time preparing, shopping and doing some sight seeing. There are plenty of touristy sights in Kathmandu, Boudhanath Stupa is one of my favorites. And yes, we stayed at the Tibet Guesthouse just as in the past.

**This whitewashed dome and gilded tower is one of the most important locations for the Buddhist religion in Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal**

The trek starts with a drive to Dharapani, which is along the jeep road to Manang. This was one scary drive. The jeep road goes along a cliff with hundreds of feet drop down to the river below — without rail guards or anything. A small mistake by the driver and it is all over. Really over. The picture below is one of the more tame part of the drive, still a big drop on the side.

A narrow mountain road along a steep gully — **The Jeep road to Mananag, going to Dharapani**

The trek to Manang offers fantastic views of the mountains all around, particularly that of the Annapurna Massif.

Hiker climbing stairs — **Climbing the steep trail to Chame**

A line of prayer flags and a big snow capped mountain — **Annapurna IV (7,525 m) and prayer flags**

A hiker bellow a snow capped mountain — Annapurna IV (7,525 m) on the climb to Ghyaru

We spent a couple of nights in Manang to get acclimated and rest. The mountains around Manang are fantastic. On one of our rest days, I climbed with our porter Bigran to Ice Lake, located higher up the mountain. It was approximately a 1000 meter ascent in a mile and a half.

A cabbage field with houses all around and mountains in the background — **Cabbage field by the hotel in Manang**

A view of a snow capped mountain and cabbins — **Gangapurna (7,455 m) from the hotel in Manang**

From Manang we continued up the trail through Yak Kahraka and Ladar to Thronug High camp. There were many suspension bridges along the way, making for great photo opportunities.

Three hikers crossing on a suspension bridge — **David, Lachhu and Bigran coming into Ledar**

Hikers high on a suspension bridge — **David and Lachhu, Chulu West (6419 m) in the clouds**

Cabins around a courtyard and a big snow capped mountain in the background — **Syagang (6026 m) and the hotel in Ledar**

Hikers crossing a river on a wooden bridge — **David and Lachhu crossing the Jharsang Khola River on a wooden**

Hikers climbing up a trail with a big snow capped mountain in the background — **Thorung Phedi high camp, last stop before the pass**

From Thorung Phedi High Camp to Thorung La Pass it is a mere 1000 meter (3000 ft.) climb. But the altitude makes it much harder. Additionally, it snowed overnight and was snowing in the morning the whole time we were climbing. Still, we made it to the pass in good time. What was harder than the climb up was the descent down on the other side, 2000 meter (6000 ft.) straight down.

A person standing by a marker with a sign of Thorung La Pass with snow all around — **Me at Thorung La (5416 m), the high point**

Hikers descending a steep downhill trail — **The descent to Muktinath, 6000 ft down**

Hikers on a high suspension bridge — **David and Lachhu just before Muktinath**

The trek continues around the Annapurna massif and eventually ends in city of Pokhara. We were supposed to fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, but bad weather forced us to drive. I suppose it was good we didn’t get caught on the trail as the storm was quite severe.

**A high snow capped mountain towering over a village of wooden houses and slate roofs and stone paved paths, Dhaulagiri, the world’s 7th highest, 8,167 meter, Shikha, Nepal**

**Small boats on a lake with mountains all around, Phewa Lake, Pokhara**

3 thoughts on “Annapurna Circuit, Nepal 2022”

R November 12, 2022 at 6:15 am

Great photos Ron. Congratulations on finishing it.
kai wiedman November 13, 2022 at 1:00 pm

Thanks, Ron, Great photos, and a great story!
Bonnie Ruesch November 13, 2022 at 4:55 pm

Thank-you Ron for sharing the great photos and commentary. I’m glad that you had a wonderful and safe trip. David also shared some photos and told me about the trip. He is still smiling. I’m also glad that you were able to stay at the Tibet Guest house and use Warren’s outfitters. Brings back some wonderful memories.

Also, happy belated birthday. (When I attempted to email you on Friday, I realized I no longer have your email address. I have been cleaning up old emails and didn’t realize that I don’t have an address in my inbox, I need to add it manually to my contact list.) So best wishes for good health and many more fun adventures.