Asmita Subedi I still remember, when we, all the hikers were called in for a meeting prior the hike, most of us were anxious regarding whether there was a proper washroom in the village we were heading or not. And most probably the decision might have changed if the response was negative but thankfully we were destined to hike and create some wonderful and unforgettable memories. We all separated after discussing the girly stuffs like how many dresses should we carry, what we should wear and all but I am not so sure about what the boys discussed. :P April 5, 10 am, I and Asmita Didi joined other hikers at the college and loaded sleeping bags, mattresses, snacks and water onto the microbus and headed towards the destination picking remaining hikers on the way. We reached Okharpauwa after travelling 1.5 hrs in the bus and we were finally dumped by our van at the dumping site.. Eww!! The smell there was ridiculous. Argh! I feel like puking remembering that scene. But the bitter fact is that we are the one responsible for all the bad smell, filth and disposals. We anyhow suppressed our breath and moved (actually ran) as fast as we can, past to the dumping site and arranged our backpacks with sleeping bag and mattress each. We finally looked like a complete hiker going for a long trekking and then we were all ready to go after giving few shots of groupies. Then we started to walk the trail crossing small hills and mountains, small water springs and bushy trees. Some of the hikers even challenged the stiff hill and traced down the path through it while I chose to be the chicken and followed the long and safe track instead. Now I regret for being a pussy chicken and losing an opportunity to experience the thrilling adventure. But never the less there was much more fun and adventure waiting for us.

We all cracked jokes at each other, shot selfies and enjoyed the marvelous beauty of the place.

We all cracked jokes at each other, shot selfies and enjoyed the marvelous beauty of the place. Surendra sir detailed us about the history of the place and its recent developments and we all were awe struck to see the green terrace fields jam-packed with paddy waving ‘hello’ to us together with the mild wind. We went along walking together, admiring the beauty and experiencing the fresh air and touch of the village atmosphere. On the way we relaxed ourselves posing with the doko and namlo and playing with water on the river. After walking for 3 hrs we reached by the field of our Surendra sir and rested there for a while enjoying the snacks and humorous talks and witty stories of our Bijay Dai. Our heroic and strong Suman brother even helped threshing 17 bittas of barleys. Bravo Suman Bro!  After walking further for half an hour we reached to our destination i.e. Surendra sir’s house at Thuldanda. There we were warmly welcomed with tea and we rested for a while dozing off and playing cards. Till now the real fun was yet to come. In the evening, we walked around the village screaming and scaring each other with ghost tales and mimicking strange and scary sounds. That moment was really the best one and that was one where we finally found to be comfortable with each other. Returning back, we barbequed the chicken and sat around the fire playing Antaksheri. This is where we got to see the hidden secrets of most of us. Nikita and Ashmita, our super chefs prepared the perfect aalu ko aachar for us all and we couldn’t help licking our fingers. Sanjeev Budha dai, whom we rarely noticed in our college was revealed to be the one filled with bombshell of fun and laughter; funny accents, witty jokes, fabulous dancing and he was the one to seize the moment. We all danced in the best as well as worst way we can and we enjoyed the moment to the fullest. We got to see the completely different side of each other’s and that was the best part of our hiking. After all these fun nobody really cared about the food but anyway we grabbed some to generate the strength for the next day and again threw some ghostly talks and finally went to the land of our dream hiding inside the sleeping bags. The next day, we ate some aalu chiura and at around 8 am, we bid final adieu to the house keepers and villagers of Thuldanda and set off the track towards the Ranipauwa. The beauty of the place was beyond words and we went along the way, mesmerizing our taste buds with some new flavors of aiselu and aayera cherry (kimbu). We stopped by the local shop and had some snacks and set the journey again. We moved slowly stopping frequently to take rest and have snacks along with our on-going unlimited fun and laughter. We all were happy that we will reach to our destination by 1 hour and then there we lost our way; we were struck in between with no ways neither ahead nor beyond of us. There was only a single option, to glide down the stiff and slippery downhill. We were left with no options and dared ourselves and marched forward. We pranked our co-coordinator dai asking for insurance of our life and he assured us that we shall all remain alive and get happily married. Haha! Budha Dai, you indeed are a genius! We all are safe but I am not sure about the later part. :P Jokes apart! Each of the strong and brave boys supported the girls and escorted us through the dangerous and thrilling hill holding our hands responsibly. I am very thankful to Sanjeev Mainali bro, Miss Shreha and Ashish bro for grabbing my hand and not letting me fall down and roll like a ball. Imagine me rolling in the deep! Lol! Scary! Haha! :P Though the hills were completely stiff, slippery and dangerous and it was quite difficult for us, but yeah we did it. Bravo to all of us! We all are courageous hikers.  Afterwards we found back our lost trail and set our pace to head towards the micro bus waiting for us in Ranipauwa. Finally after the exciting, thrilling, scary and magnificent hike, we all gathered together and went to a hotel for pacifying the rats rattling in our hungry stomach. We all ate till we can and even much more . Imagine how hungry we were. Then after the 2 hrs long bus ride, we finally arrived back to Kathmandu and here it concluded our two-day hike. The little kittens, chicken fouls, the cute little pathas (munu-mumu), the rhododendron flowers, the yellow flowers, the salla trees, the difficult up and down tracks, the funny and awesome bunch of people, the precious bonding we all shared in our difficult and happy moments shall always last long in my memories to cherish for the rest of my years. I admire you all for this wonderful day. Indeed it was one of the best and scariest hikes ever!   

Bidish Acharya I was totally ready, backpacked all my stuffs for a 2-day hike to Thuldanda, routing from Okharpauwa to Ranipauwa. I would hike frequently before, but this hike was especially after a long time; one of the few reasons to be more excited. We all stacked up in the college bus and headed to dumping site, where we would stop driving and start walking. The smell of the dumping site was something to remember. I could not breathe at first, but once I took a long breath – taking in that smell, I finally got along with it. Then, we hiked – for 3-4 hours. The 1st day of hike was not tough, not challenging, and well, not enough events to make it remember. However, I discovered a very tasty fruit, named Aiselu. Whenever an Aiselutree arrived, I would run and pick all the aiselusbefore someone else could come to take it. I remember letting my hands to get scratched by the pointy branches, just to take the tasteful bite of aiselu. We reached Surendra Sir’s home at Thuldanda at 4. We played cards, laughed, danced, and totally enjoyed the evening and the night.

Barbecue made the interesting night more delicious.

Barbecue made the interesting night more delicious. Before sleeping, we talked about ghosts and how people living there were threatened by ghosts. I was afraid by the talk and prepared to sleep ahead before anybody else would. That way, I wouldn’t have to be the one awake late and be afraid of encountering a ghost alone when everybody else had already slept. Fortunately, none of my weird fantasies came true and I had a very sound sleep. The second morning, I woke up early at 5.30, brushed my teeth with a coal and hanged out with friends. I would always carry a book while backpacking and I had done the same. To do justice to the book, I started reading and completed a chapter. We then had our breakfast and headed to Ranipauwa. Second day of hike was worth remembering; partly because some part of it was dangerous. My shoes had no grip so I was aware in every step while going downhill, to make sure that I would not slip and break some parts of my body. Fortunately, we all made it through. We finally reached Ranipauwa at 4.30 where Deepak dai was waiting for us. We then went to a hotel and had our dinner and rode back home with a memory worth of a life-time.