Bhutan trip - the trek

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When I organised a trek in the Himalayan region, I arranged the smallest group I possibly could. This contained three trekkers, a guide, a driver, and a yak man plus his two horses and three yaks. This for a seven day trek including getting to the area, and back to my Chinese base.

Jangothng (7314m) Base Camp (4050m) © 2019 Jamyang Dorji

The scale and organistion of the trek in Bhutan dwarfed my efforts. There was a guide (extreme left), plus an assistant (left) learning to do trekking guide-work; three trekkers (middle); a cook (right); a sherpa (extreme right); two horsemen with their 12 horses (not in picture); and the mound of equipment needed for the next 24 days; and supplies intended for a major portion of the trek.

Later in the trek the it was revealed that the equipment included the material for a hot shower (canvas screen, flat stones on grass, large bucket of hot water, and a dipper). This was pure luxury. The first appearance of this wonder occurred here at Jangothang Base Camp. I understand that it made two further appearances during the full duration of the trek.

Before the trek, we arrived in Paro, and had a brief tour of the town. The following day we walked up to The Tiger's Nest (about 7km and 1000m of ascent). We took three days to get up to the Base Camp. The first full day's trekking was tough, and got us up to 3700m. The next day saw us at the Base Camp. The following day was a rest day, so we only walked for about 4 1/2 hours, or 12 km, and ascended 380m. The lake was magnificent, and provided views, on the opposite mountain side, of about four flocks of blue sheep - a Bhutanese specific species. The flocks did eventually merge, and we estimated that there were between 120 and 150 animals in total. Unfortunately, no pictures, as I had learned by this time to leave all my camera gear in my pack - too heavy, too bulky, and too awkward when attempting to trek with poles.

En-route to the lake, on the first rest day. © 2019 Jamyang Dorji

After the little excursion to the lake, was the point at which I separated from the others, to come off the mountain, while they went on to complete the trek over the following three weeks.
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