Kongme Dingma 5068 m - Hongku Khola 4650 m - Hunku Camp 4850 m
day 15 : 1 november 2003
  
  downhill  
  descending from Kongme Dingma towards the Hunku Valley  
  
  
   
  snow and rock  
  the trail was difficult... a mixed terrain of snow and rock  
  
  
   
  in agony  
  this was a very difficult day's trek for Susan... her tummy seems to be giving her problems hintering her progress  
  
  
   
  nearing the valley  
  the Hunku Valley being remote does not see the usual hoards of trekkers... here the visitor has the great opportunity of solitude within a wondrous landscape  
  
  
   
  rest stop  
  the team members were still tired, not recovered from the exhaustive climb of Mera Peak and thus never missing any opportunity for a rest  
  
  
   
  careful descent  
  being less confident on this terrain, each step was a careful measure for Susan  
  
  
   
  cutting steps  
  treated like royalty... Dalbhadur cut snow steps on the trail as the team descended  
  
  
   
  looking for a sign?  
  Anthony taking a short break along the trail  
  
  
   
  another rest stop  
  the ground is devoid of the usual snow as we decended down to the valley floor  
  
  
   
  disappearing mountains  
  a surreal and mystical landscape as the low clouds periodically hides the mountains from view  
  
  
   
  alpine lake  
  still having abdominal upset, Susan rests in agony by a beautiful small alpine lake  
  
  
   
  welcoming drink  
  Pemba serves tea along the trail as the team struggles towards lunch point  
  
  
   
  heading up the hunku  
  the Hunku was most astonishing in beauty and serenity... a most magical place to be  
  
  
   
  stepping stones  
  rock hopping can sometimes be more difficult that the snow plodding  
  
  
   
  hunku khola  
  the glacier fed Hunku River... with it's milky blue waters  
  
  
   
  upper hunku  
  many small rivers from the upper glaciers meanders down to feed the Hunku Khola  
  
  
 

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