I’m back on the grid for a little bit. Sorry there was no warning, but that’s ATL for you. As promised this blog is gonna be all about team Ledge’s experience trekking through the foot hills of Annapurna Range. Take a look.
Our host Deepak, has a trekking business that he runs all year round. Upon arriving in Kathmandu our host in formed us that their was a possibility of going on a 3 day trek at the end of our stay. Almost everyone was excited about it. We packed our bags, some big packs and some day packs, and off we went. We loaded up on a bus at 6am to head over to Pokhara where we switched to a van and a few people took a taxi up to where we would start our trek. We hiked upward for roughly 3hrs the first day. So many stairs were climbed! I had kinda reinjured my knee and was trying my best not to slow everyone down or show that I was struggling. Our translators were in the back with me and kept asking me if I wanted them to take my pack. For a LONG while my pride was in my way and I told them I was fine and that I could do it. About 2hrs into our trek I caved and allowed them to carry my pack. Even after telling them that I couldn’t do it I was still struggling to keep up with the group. My knee was screaming at me the entire time we were going up the mountain. I had finally reached our destination where everyone else had taken their packs off and was enjoying a much needed break. We had tea and then room assignments were given. Somehow most of my Groot family was in the same room, only person not with us was Catherine and Lan of course but she’s in the states now. We took our packs to our room and headed back up for dinner. After dinner we heard Deepak and Prince’s testimonies. Afterwards we called it a night and were asked to be up to for sunrise at 6am. It was a beautiful view!! Pictures don’t do it justice. After sunrise we had breakfast, packed our rooms and headed off to our second place we would be staying. To get there we had to climb up and then down the mountain. Still a lot of stairs! We trekked for roughly another 3hrs before we came to a small village where we would be staying. It was an amazing experience. We split up into four different houses and stayed with four different families. They cooked us dinner and breakfast. Before dinner we walked back up from where we just hiked to minister to the locals in the village. Not many people visit the village. The villagers are not welcomed in the city or even at temples, even though they all believe they same thing. Upon learning about this my heart began to break for those living in the villages. They are looked down on simply because of a cast system that was put into effect years ago. The Edge team climbed up more stairs to talk with a family that claims to be believers but they still practice the Buddhist ways going to temple and making sacrifices. My heart yearns for these people to know the true God and to know the true doctrine behind Him.
After breakfast we packed up all of our belongings and started our decent down the mountain. My knee is finally well enough that I’m able to carry my pack again. Not only carry it but I’m near the front of the group before we hit more steps were I slow down to protect my knee as much as possible. Hiking down the mountain we cross two creeks and walk across a bridge. The entire time during our trek we have a dog that is leading the way. We named her Spirit. She lead us all the way down to the small town where we caught a bus that took us back into Pokhara. We ate lunch at our hostel that we stayed in for the night and breakfast the next morning. For dinner our host took us to a local restaurant for chicken biryani. I ended up having a room to myself for the night. It was amazing! A queen sized bed just for me. It was like sleeping on a cloud after trekking and sleeping on the floor for the past three weeks. It was definitely a dream come true. Trying to find alone time with 11 other people around is no easy feat. Thankfully, God granted me that night to rest.
The next morning after break most of the Ledge team headed back to Kathmandu while four of us plus Kelsey stayed and enjoyed paragliding and bungee jumping. Something I finally got to mark off my bucket list was bungee jumping! The memories from that day won’t be erased from my mind anytime soon.
As you all can probably tell trekking through those foothills was definitely an experience that I will remember for the reat of my life. The conversations that God aligned for my team to have and the people we have meet. While I may not remember all of their names, their faces have been engraved on my heart. Please be praying for my team and the rest of my squad as we get ready to head over to Thailand within the next two weeks.
Much love! Jamie
