Annapurnas Day 4: The Fantasy Forest

The fourth day started up with a feet care session by Dr. Merino. Benny's foot showed a very bad-looking blister that I treated following the instructions that my brother gave me before leaving home (I knew that having a physiotherapist in the family had to be useful some day). Tyres changed, the convoy was ready to hit the road!

Day 4 felt as two separate days. The first half featured some of the most magnificent landscapes of the trek, forest of pine trees escorted by massive rock walls. I switched on my MP3 player which immersed me in a world of motion pictures. Once again, it's difficult -if not impossible- to explain how trees and rolling stones became alive with the soundtrack of Ludovico Einaudi.

Snow in the ForestSuddenly some cold sparks woke me up from my fantasy dream. They were snow flakes falling from the until then unnoticed cloudy sky. Whereas most trekkers run to take refuge in some guest house, we saw the new scenario as a perfect occasion to enjoy some superb landscapes in the restored loneliness of the trek. We put our warmest clothes on and started walking through the now snowed forest. Right decision, the woods looked gorgeous covered in fresh snow.Upper Pisang

Earlier than expected we arrived to Lower Pisang (3250 m). The second half of the day was different, but even more beautiful I would say. We checked in at a lodge in Lower Pisang and went for a side walk to Upper Pisang. Upper Pisang (3310 m) was -as I remember it now- one of the most beautiful villages along the trek. This sort-of ghost village offers an unbeatable view on Annapurna I, II and the Gangapurna (all off them close or above 8000 m). Besides, the heart of the settlement hosts a very colourful Gompa. Despite being new, the temple holds a legendary look including figurines of Buddha and an endless array of Tibetan books. After the visit we came down to Lower Pisang to spend the night at the foot of the Annapurnas, crowned by the full moon.


El cuarto dia se caracterizo por las dos mitades, a cual mas interesante, en las que se dividio la jornada. La mañana empezo con una sesion de curas a cargo del Doctor Merino (esto viene de familia). El pie de Benny padecia una ampolla severa que urgia ser tratada con 10 ml. de Betadine y gasas varias (desde aqui traslado el agradecimiento de Benny a mi hermano y mi madre, los cuales me enseñaron como tratar ampollas aunque con suerte dispar como puede verse en las fotos). Una vez listos, partimos camino de Pisang. Tal y como la recuerdo, esa mañana se convirtio en poco menos que una pelicula para mi. Con Ludovico Einaudi sonando en mi MP3, el valle parecia despertar como si de un ser vivo se tratase. Las rocas, los abetos, las aguilas, todos bailaban al son del piano y el violin. De pronto una sensacion fria me desperto de mi pelicula, ¡copos de nieve!. Mientras que la mayoria de montañeros corria a refugiarse, Bodo, Benny y yo decidimos abrigarnos bien y seguir en solitario para disfrutar de la belleza del nuevo escenario. Como se puede ver en las fotos merecio la pena. Asi llegamos a Lower Pisang (3250 m), donde dejamos las mochilas y nos fuimos de visita a Upper Pisang (3310 m). Este pueblo fantasma es uno de los mas bonitos e interesantes que recuerdo. Su ambiente desolado y decadente contrastaba con las vistas inigualables sobre el Annapurna I, II y el Gangapurna (todos ellos rondando o superando los 8000 m). Al anochecer bajamos a Lower Pisang para pasar la noche, esta vez si, al calor del fuego y la luna llena.

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