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Theme: Revisiting the History Hiking Route: 108 Kilo – Yarmasingh Fort Total Distance covered: 16 kms (approx) Duration: 7 hours Date: July 27th, 2008 Participants: Manoj Rokka, Tilak Thapa Magar, Kamal Karki, Purushottam Pandey and his daughter, Luna Gurung and her Sister Juna, Ravi Sharma, Bhanu Chalise, Bishal Pandey(Rookie), Sabita Khadka, Merina Maharjan, Charu Arjyal, Binod Gyawali(Rookie), Madhav Sigdel, Sarjan Gautam Report By: Binod/Juna Caption: Ravi/Luna/Manoj Photos: Ravi/Bhanu/Manoj/Juna Coordinator: Sarjan Gautam Creative Support: Dijup/Luna/Pallavi Yarmasing, which lies near to Khasa Bazar, is well known as a gadhi where Jang Bahadur Rana had troops to defend against Tibet some 250 yrs ago. On 27th July, all of us geared up for the hiking at early 6.45 am. At about 8.30, we reached the place called ‘Zero Kilo’ where we stopped for our breakfast. Spending about an hour at Zero Kilo, we continued with our journey to reach 108 kilo at the earliest. Along the winding road the river Indrawati and then Bhotekoshi flowing by our side and playing Antakshari, we reached a place3 kilometers ahead of 108 kilo where our vehicle could not move ahead due to landslide on the road. We had to then walk 3-4 kilometers upto108 kilometers. We reached the suspension bridge of 108 kilo at 1.30 and started to walk up the hill. Sometimes resting, sometimes walking and playing with the water and mud all over the road we reached our destination at 4 pm. Enjoying the food stuffs, taking pictures and letting the leeches relish our blood at times, we continued with our hikeenjoyed the sceneric beauty of the mountains and Khasa Bazar. The strategic location of fort and design was perfect for the troops to hide during attack by the enemies and for possible fight backs. After spending about 45 minutes there, we started our journey back to the highway i.e. 108 kilo. All the schools in the area were closed for summer vacation so we stopped at a primary school named ‘BhumiChaur Primary School’ where we gathered some local children and distributed copies and pencils to them. On our way back some of our hikers slipped and tripped owing to the slippery path. Many were attacked by the leeches too. Almost half way between zero-kilo and the fort, in a village named Bheda Singh, we entered a home savored some “makai” to calm our growling tummies. There we came to know that the gadi was actually Dongna Gadi. We had to run back to reach highway to get back to Kathmandu and to make it on timele. At 6.30 we were able to reach 108 kilo, but we again we had to traverse 4 kilometers to reach to the place where our vehicle was waiting for us. At about 7.30, started the journey back to Kathmandu. Enjoying the songs by Madhav and Remix by Kamal and Tilak, we reached Khadichaur, where we stopped for dinner. After half an hour later, we started back to Kathmandu and reached to Koteswor at 11.30 pm. The hiking was a memorable one which helped us to know something more about our history. EXCERPTS FROM JUNA’S DIARY 1st Row: (Juna, Merina, Luna, Sabita, Kamal, eYasha, Purushottam, Charu, Sarjan) 2nd Row: (Tilak, Ravi, Binod, Bishal, Madhav, Bhanu, Manoj) The colorful Hawks! I have to mention that, apart from the awkwardness of time, really painful hamstrings and some new freckles added to my face, the trip was no doubt one of the most satisfying adventures I've had! This scrap is dedicated to the lovely people of D2 I know, I'd like to call u the Hawks alrite?!. Let me start by saying thank you to the D2 family specially my sister Luna for pitching me in for the trip, and thank god my vacation wasn't over yet! After the initial awkwardness, things were easier once we started walking, I guess! (the nice lil' landslide). I must first mention the co-coordinator, Sarjan dai, checking up on everyone's comfort and need. the unexpected 'titauras', the juicy n hot 'Makai', quite thoughtful, huh! with your caring ways, u could've just become quite a good doctor! Then there were the friendly lots who despite the added distance to the hiking route (due to the road block ), made the walking fun and enjoyable! Sarjan dai, Bhanu dai, Tilak dai, u people can talk on any matter! Thanks for making me feel comfortable, and for the frequent bouts of laughter on the way back! Then there were some silent yet interesting ones, the photographer, Manoj dai, and thanks for the helping hand, I was really stuck and confused at the middle of the landslide. The girls- Merina and Sabita were fun, not to mention very generous blood donors too :P Now the merry makers- the hard core singers Purosottam dai, Charu di, Kamal dai, Madhav 'the mellow' guy, my own sister Luna , u guyz rock. Tilak dai needs a special mention here for his hilarious, prolific, spontaneous song composing skill, (a song starting from 'nga'!??!!! who would've thought that's even possible) Tilak and Madhav dai must come out together with an album soon! u people are crazy! and I mustn't forget, DJ Ravi for all the nice songs u played during the silent travelling hours.U guys are the funniest, friendliest, coolest bunch of ppl. I’m glad to have known u all. p.s. the rainbow over the hill along the fort that I feel must be for u wonderful colorful hawks! thanks once again for the joy! Please click on the image to see its large version.

01 Stadium	02 Ready for fun
03 late comers..run for fun	04 As always Sharmila of Zero kilo
05 Breakfast time_01	06 Breakfast time_02
07 breakfast being ready	08 Something stuck in the tyre
09 la bigryo......	10 When trouble comes we run away
11 We like to give pose this way	12 Let me take ur snap Say Cheeez
13 Spooky Claw....	14 Landslide
15 lets see if i can hit some fish 4 lunch	16 Water Fall
17 luks snakes caught inside spider web	18 Suspended at Suspension Bridge
19 waite waite i am coming too......	20 Beauty inside thorns
21 Purple haze	22 sharing is caring
23 Daddy come my way	24 Guys don't take rest... still got 2 hours to hike
25 build from trunk or branch	26 melted sliver........
27 On my way to Bhotekoshi	28 Falling deep
29 Climbing high	30 Engineers bg in constructing bridge
31 I can light bulb	32 Free falling
33 Rivering	34 Stream on the stairs
35 Frozen	36 Innocent eyes of doggie
37 Merina n Sabita happy with kids	38 VhuMaChour Primary School
39 LG distributing Pencils	40 Ramrari lekhne ani padhne...
41 thanx d2	42 natural pool
43 Girls guiding the boys	44 Time for some rest
45 Blood Sucker	46 Future Butterfly
47 Come come my.. ur my butterfly .. baby	48 Fruits for hikers
49 Prayer Flags	50 Under Construction
51 Stairway to Heaven	52 Artistic Buddha
53 Buddha in my heart	54 We found some arts inside the fort
55 Checking the shoes	56 Buddhist Cemetary
57 Planning for war or what	58 Leech caught in hand
59 Lost the way	60 Madhav likes goat
61 Am I Alone	62 Entrace to the fort
63 Finally at the destination	64 Searching for Leech Around
65 Mighty Sucker	66 Everyone bg in their stuff
67 Place where Jungha Bahadur used to monitor Tibetian Army	68 Remainings of Fort
68 hey guys see Im in air	69 Left side of Fort
70 Gazing over the Khassa Bazar	71 Khasa bazar
72 Pzzle game or the gate	73 Fort Remainings
74 Preparing for the parade	75 Read it
76 jai ganesh jai ganesha jai ganesha deva	77 Scripture
78 Yarmasing Fort Built by Jung Bahadur for war against Tibet	79 Rainbow that welcomed us at Fort
80 Salute in the name ofJungey	81 View of Bhotekoshi from Fort
82 Faces of nature	83 Rainbow and sunshine
84 looks like snake	85 Mysterious leaf
86 Rare plant	87 Time to have some corn
88 We found really big mushroom	89 hmmm this much is enuff for me
90 Wish i had a gass stove	91 Rest in Peace, Forever
92 See U Again	93 Patrol in the street