Hiking Theme: If a tree falls in forest, still that is a man’s fault? Date: March 14, 2010 Hiking Route: Palung to Daman Hiking Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Hiking Distance: 7 kms Range 1600 m 2322 Participants: Shiva K Pun, Sameer Tuladhar, Manoj Rokka, Lava Kafle, Rajiv Shrestha, Asim Singh Mahat, Tilak Magar, Roshan Gyawali, Rikesh Shakya, Krishna Bhatta,Rudra Pandey, Chris Kryder, Mark Carlson and Vishnu Kshettri Photos: Abishesh Joshi, Mark Carlson, Krishna Bhatt and Tilak Thapa Magar Photo Captions: Abishesh Joshii Report: Chris Kryder and Mark Carlson Hiking Coordinator: Lava Kafle Creative Support: Dijup Tuladhar

Chris Kryder Daman trek is now a fine memory, four days later, and now after a day at work in the sands of Abu Dhabi. As always hiking in Nepal lived up to expectation and delivered a great experience. We started from Palung an area full of verdant vegetable gardens. The way to Daman was gradual, rich with rhododendrons, easy on the feet and fine for reestablishing Chi balance. We did not encounter any downhill travelers this time, save an old women carrying straw. March is a ripe season for hiking in the Himalayan countryside and it is a great gift that some of the trails have remained hidden from the overwhelming tourists. We had lunch at a fine house at the summit, with lovely stone stairway. I really have to admit that the beer never tasted better. Furthermore we were rewarded with a brief glimpse of Mt. Langtang. You learn something new on each hike, and this time I learnt that “Ram has eyes in the back of his head.” I bid adieu to my fellow hikers with the following CEO announcements. 1.Abishesh is hereby appointed the official D2 photographer. 2.A new rule. No one sitting beyond the front seat should (a) party the night before a trek, or (2) eat breakfast. Mark Carlson A most amazing experience!! The drive up the mountain was the most tortuous and scary I have ever done! However, it was worth it. The views were spectacular and the stops were memorable. When we reached the trail, I thought it would be...well, a hike. But...it was a mountain climb! The trail was so steep, you had to be on all fours in many places. It was very exerting. Near the top of the trail we came upon a woman carrying a huge 75 lb sack! (Please see picture). After that, I decided I was not as tired. In all, it was a fantastic time. Thank you so much for inviting me! Please click on the image to see its large version. 

01 Chris Stretching his arms	02 And stretching his legs as well
03 Thumbs Up, Yay! Mark and Rudra	04 Mark watching bandh at Naubise
05 Mother`s love	06 Mark and Chris, still waiting for the road blockade to clear
07 Seven Turns on the highway. Just crossed the last of it	08 Towards Tistung
09 A hard working man	10 Abishesh and Rikesh
11 Rudra`s turn to stretch	12 Somewhere in Tistung
13 The sun hides behind that false mask	14 Starting off at Palung
15 As steep as it can get - from above	16 as steep as it can get - from below
17 Rudra making sure everyone makes it safely	18 Palung Valley
19 Palung Valley up close	20 Asim`s the last one
21 Chris leads	22 Stopping for a moment to enjoy the view
23 Shiva and Roshan	24 On the edge
25 Krishna thinking about Radha	26 Think I`ll take a nap
27 Asim breathes a sigh	28 Who`s gonna pick it up
29 Asim`s exhausted	30 Done with one steep climb, another starts
31 She carries the weight we could ever bear	32 Unusual place to carry your watter bottle
33 Chris to Rudra - I trust you with numbers but not always	34 ...the trail was narrow too
35 There`s no one else like Lava	36 If a tree falls in the forest, still that is a man`s fault
37 Rudra stops in admiration	38 And the Gods paintined it
39 Into the Wild	40 Improvised trail
41 Hold on to the rocks tight	42 The future owner of the villa is locked out
43 Chris welcomes to his remote getaway	44 Vish and the gang
45 Everybody want their picture taken at Chris`s summer villa	46 Time to leave Chris`s villa
47 Reluctantly Chris relinquishes his villa	48 RoshanG
49 The trail ends, and the road starts	50 Vish testing his strength..must be 50 kilos
51 Brotherhood between CEO and COO	52 Mark, Chris and Rudra poses for a different camera but caught by a different one
53 The National Flower - Read the sign carefully	54 Daman 2322m
55 Without love there is no peace	56 Happy go lucky - ManojR
57 Titanic pose	58 Rhodendron Arboreum
59 Peach Flower	60 Ram awaits us @ Daman
61 Mark`s waiting for his reward	62 Chris pours the reward
63 Pensive Rudra	64 Mark`s munching on ramen
65 Boston meets Nepal	66 RajivS, guess which beer
67 We prefer soft drinks, thank you	68 Caught in action
69 Teeing off	70 Just what Mark was pointing his camera at
71 Looks like a hole in one!!!	72 Dispute yet to be settled
73 Dedicated to ...	74 Road runs while the bus stops