Morys Musing

Our mission today on October 28, 2011 was to trek approximately 12 km from Bachu to Nub Tshona Patta. The trail again involved a relatively steep initial pitch to a nearby hill and then passed gently through rocky gradients with rhododendron bushes on either side of the trail to get to Ahri Teng. The trail then descended along the Ahri Teng Bja to Sheychhu at 4120 m. The descent here again was very steep and slippery with rhododendron bushes surrounding us. A very steep uphill climb then started until we reached our highest point thus far in the trek Sheypezey at 4444 m. We then had a gradual descent into the meadows of the Nub Tshona Patta valley. The camp was set up at Lura 4177 m as opposed to the bank of the lake at 4100 m. I do not believe the lake had a name but it was a holy and revered lake.

I must say this campsite was perhaps the most picturesque looking out towards China/Tibet with the beautiful and protected Torsa Strict Nature Reserve below our feet. Torsa is the only wildlife reserve in Bhutan and has no resident human population. We eagerly had dinner and watched in amazement as lightning lit up a far ridge line in the distance. The sky was clear and the sheltering sky was full of billions of stars. Enchanting. This was the most lovely of evenings. It was very cold but well worth sitting outside just to look at the sky and the flashes of lightning off in the distance. Sleep came easily. The memory of this special night will remain forever.