25 December 2008
The morning was cloudy so we didn’t get the 5am wake-up call we were expecting and by the time the clouds cleared SB and I couldn’t be bothered trekking up another 500m to see Annapurna 2, which we have seen heaps already and it was so cosy and warm in the bed. We finally got out of our snug bed into the absolute freezing with lots of ice on the ground.
We headed off on the path to Birethanti – going the opposite to most of the other people we have seen – lightweights, after all we have just trekked up and down mountains at altitude.
Of course the walk was excruciating as it was down stone steps for approximately 1600m down. I thought it was never going to end and was in huge pain by the time I reached the lunch break as my Achilles heel which I thought was heeling is now worse. So after a bout of tears, SB took my day pack and almost carried me down the rest of the way. The only good bit being the uphills, at which I am definitely getting fitter.
We finally got to our lodge where I had a hot shower and changed into some relatively less stinky clothes. We chilled out with the others playing cards and enjoying our last night away from civilization.
A shattering way to spend Xmas Day.