Later, as we climbed up from Jomsom to the Mesokanto La North we were still feeling the effects of the previous fortnight and neither of us was 100%. At least on our regular stops for Neil to emit inhuman (and inhumane, to anyone in the vicinity) amounts of eggy gas and Haz to cough up chunks of lung we could gape at the awesome mountain barrier to the south. Awesome may be a much overused word, but the ridge of 7,000m peaks stretching from Nilgiri to Annapurna II certainly struck us with awe.

Camping in our little tent on the shores of Tilicho Tal we were dwarfed by surroundings. Never have we felt so insignificant and yet so wonderfully alive.

Usually we try to get off the beaten track on our travels, but Annapurna, as is often the case with well worn trails, certainly deserves its popularity.

Click here to see our Annapurna photoset on Flickr.

The Fourth Chorten. A band we’ll form when we get back to the UK. This photo is looking across the Kali Gandaki valley, towards the Thorong La (which is the low point between chortens 1 & 2). The pyramid mountain above the 2nd chorten is Khatungkang (6,500m).

Approaching Phalyak and the Kali Gandaki.

Thini, near Jomsom. Dhaulagiri is the mountain on the left.

Crossing the Mesokanto La North (5,452m). Dhaulagiri on the left again. This is a much quieter alternative to the Thorung La, and as you get closer to the great mountain barrier of peaks, we thought the views were more impressive.

Descending from the Eastern Pass to Tilicho Tal.

A wild camp to remember. At about 5,000m, above Tilicho Tal.

Tilicho Tal (4,920m).

Stats: Jomsom to Dharapani
Days – 5
Trekking days – 5
Distance – 104km
Trekking time – 28hrs
Amount climbed – 4,100m
Passes – 2 (Mesokanto La North – 5,452m, Eastern Pass – 5,379m)
Dal bhats – 4
Maggi noodles – 2
Gringos – lots