Nischal Dahal
It was just 2 PM and hikers had already accomplished their mission. Manoj, who was watching a movie at Mayur hall, Banepa had to rush to pick up hikers at Sanga. Tough and short, both these English words complement each other to describe last Sunday’s hike. D2 van stopped at Surya Vinayak, for breakfast. After having breakfast, we reached Jagati around half past eight. Hikers descended from van then started marching. It was long, arduous climb through the trail of Ashapuri hill, with foggy weather as if was trying to curtain beauty of Khowpa from the hikers. It was a nice trail to walk until we reached a dead end. The pathfinders decided to move forward through the bushes, so the pathfinders turned to be pathmakers. The pathmakers smashed bushes to make the way for teammates. Wild thrones, the slaps of branches welcomed us in the forest with hospitality they could provide us. The ray of sun was the only guide to get out of the forest. Health Benefits of Hiking, IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH Depression and stress are common medical problems in today’s world. Thanks to research on the benefits of walking, however, many people who suffer from these ailments have found a simpler and much less expensive way to feel better: walking every day. Walking causes the release of calming brain chemicals called endorphins, which are natural tranquilizers. Also, walking releases adrenaline, produced by the body to cope with real or perceived danger. If the Adrenaline is not released from the body, it accumulates, causing muscle tension and feelings of anxiety. A study tested 36 walkers for anxiety, tension and blood pressure levels before, during, and after 40 minutes of walking.Results showed immediate decreases in tension and anxiety as well as blood pressure after walking, regardless of how fast or slow the participants walked. With scars on body as token of love of thrones, we got out of the forest, and got into a trail. It was the peak of Ashapuri hill standing high at around 2000 meters above sea level. After some refreshments at Ashapuri peak, the hikers started descending the hill hoping that trail would lead them to destination. After around 45 minutes of descend, at the base of Alkapuri hill, we found Saraswoti Lower Secondary School at Kakrobari. Hikers distributed the stationary items to class one students. Hikers were planning to reach the proposed destination but the locals advised to go for Sanga instead. Respecting the locals’ advice, hikers diverted to Sanga, Kavrepalanchowk. After almost an hour walk, we reached the Sanga, the border of Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchowk districts. Manoj came like a breather with d2 van to mark the end of hiking of February 04 2007. Hikers boarded the van in a flash of moment. After hiking feast at Ganesh Bhojanalaya, Sinamangal, hikers left for home with the feeling “Yes, I did it”.
