Date: March 6th and March 7th 2010
Hiking Route: Day1 Sundarijal – Okhreni – Chisapani and Day2 Chisapani – Jhule – Lapsiphedi
Hiking Duration: Day1 ~ 7hr and Day2 ~ 7hr
Hiking Distance: Day1 ~ 25km and Day2 ~ 20km
Range 1400 m 2470 m 2200 m
Participants: Perry Rotella, Rudra Pandey, Bhuwan Shrestha, Nilesh Shrestha, Sajan Sangraula, Sharad Pokharel, Nishchal Shrestha, Abishesh Joshi, Dijup Tuladhar, Bishwadeep KC, Kapil Pandey and Vishnu Kshettri
Photos: Abishesh Joshi, Perry Rotella, Nishchal Shrestha, Dijup Tuladhar, Bishwadeep KC
Photo Captions: Vishnu Kshettri
Report: Perry Rotella and Rudra Pandey
Hiking Coordinator: Vishnu Kshettri
Creative Support: Dijup Tuladhar
Perry Rotella
..the first item that went into my luggage was not my laptop.
Many years ago, I had a mentor while I was working at American Management Systems who took several months off from work to go trekking in Nepal. When I heard about his trip I hoped that one day I would get a chance to do the same. My chance finally came when I joined Verisk Analytics as its CIO. My visit to our office in Kathmandu would be my opportunity to experience the beautiful country of Nepal by foot. As I packed for my nine day business trip, the first item that went into my luggage was not my laptop. It was in fact my hiking boots and hiking poles. How exciting!
..would be my reward in Chisapani for a long day’s hike.
When I arrived in Kathmandu, the original plan was a day hike on Sunday. While I was looking forward to this, I have to thank Vishnu and Rudra for planning a two day overnight trek to Chisapani. I left the Yak and Yeti at 8:00 AM Saturday morning with great anticipation and mystery for what the weekend would bring. All I know is that we would be trekking for six to seven hours and an Everest beer would be my reward in Chisapani for a long day’s hike. This would truly be an adventure.
I stood for minutes just speechless over my experience.
As we entered Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park at Sundarijal, it would be 22 kilometers to Chisapani. Of course, Vishnu and Rudra did not want to take the easy path, so we veered off the main trail. This proved to be extremely challenging both in navigating and in physical endurance. We persevered and pushed forward to Chisapani. As we came over the top of the mountain, I saw for the first time in my life the Himalayan mountain range. I was in awe of the stark beauty and vast size of the snow capped mountains. I stood for minutes just speechless over my experience. I had not felt this sense of wonder and amazement since I first saw the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Chisapani proved to be an adventure in itself. We drank some beer, bought a goat for dinner, sat around a campfire, sang songs, barbequed, and felt a great sense of comradery and accomplishment. We slept well on Saturday, woke up to a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas and began our journey back to Kathmandu. As I leave this wonderful country, I can only hope to be fortunate enough to return again to participate in the D2 weekend treks.
Rudra pandey
..most difficult downhill that I can recall to Lapse Phedi.
It was pretty easy hike when it comes to the distance and the height. It was my third hike to the destination Chisapani. This hike was much different and more thrilling because of our overnight stay at Chisapani. The next day’s walk was pretty intense too. I very much enjoyed the cross-country trek from Chisapani to Jhule. A lunch break at Jhule was longer than we planned. We then had to change our destination #2. We gave up the plan of reaching Nagarkot and started one of the most difficult downhill that I can recall to Lapse Phedi. The office van was ready at Lapse and we all headed to Kathmandu via Sankhu (2 Km from Lapse) at around 4 PM.
..sunrise view from Chisapani was amazing
I was pretty surprised to see Perry hiking up to the Chisapani (of course 22 Km from Sundarijal) without any complaint. Man, he was pretty tough! The night at Chisapani was very colorful. Bhuvan’s loud voice, Biswasdeep’s Guitar and songs, Sharad’s melody and Perry’s presence made the evening memorable. The sunrise view from Chisapani was amazing. We liked it more when we saw Perry Rotella highly pleased. We all enjoyed the goat bar-b-q and the campfire.
Nepal indeed is a beutiful country and we Nepali make it even better with our smiles and humbleness. We will win.
It was a wonderful hike of the weekend and that will be treasured as a delightful surprise.
Inside story about success of Nilesh during this trip reveals the progeny of fact that he too rested during the trip in some location to take breath with a companion who was sweating much like others, but, Nilesh was feeling extra energy /stamina and satisfaction for continuing up to that point amid the severe toughness of the trails, thus, he could cheer in his comments that Rudra may quit hiking underestimating Rudra’s trips to EverestBaseCamp and Recent Thorangla pass conquest, just as a few example counterfeiting Tarebhir access.
Somebody claimed that some duo reached some destination later.Amid growing controversy, Rudra proved in yesterday’s hiking his stamina about the claim of Nilesh, by doing 50 stomach wriggling exercise in 2 minutes!!!! None of us could do that ever. Lets see if Nilesh can wriggle his stomach in similar way !!!!!! Kudos!!!
I hiked for around 5 years but this trip is the best I ever had. Route itself was an interesting – Chisapani. This trail has versatile view of Nepali life style and might be the best one near to Kathmandu valley. Nonstop walk up hill from Sundari Jal then the majestic view of Himalaya range with direct fresh air of Shivapuri forest energizes as if we came back doing 10 days Yoga.
I thought Perry used to move ahead of everyone so that he could rest but it was because he could enjoy more and catching those memories back home double the other could. First day trip direct uphill then a barbecue with good old songs, singing together and dancing was another part of enjoyment. Second day Hike was more interesting due to those white rocks left and dense forest to the right.
Thanks to all Hikers and thanks to Perry and Rudra for such a wonderful write up.
Yet another beeeeeeeessssssst hike
Photographs show how memorable this hike must have been 🙂 b/w moments at 44 and youth moment at 66-70 or that air-guitar moments at 78…
So glad to hear that the vista towards Nuwakot reminded Perry about the wonder and amazement from Grand Canyon.
All nice pictures, events, and venue marked it as remarkable. As Nilesh says, Perry’s joy can be felt with his superb gratifying words and enjoying mood .
I was worried in the beginning that I wouldn’t be able to make it, but surprisingly I was always ahead of Rudra dai. May be it is the time to give up 🙂 . The hiking trail, the gorgeous view of the himalayan ranges, the barbecue and Perry’s go-with-the-flow company really made the event unforgettable. Thanks to everyone!