60 people healed ,,,30 souls,,,hundreds of tracts and Bibles given away
|
True Story of a Survivor of the Earthquake of 2015
Life here was never easy, but it was at least happy. And when foreign trekkers began to arrive in the 1970s, this brought more opportunities. No longer totally reliant on subsistence agriculture, villagers were able to open small trekking lodges, invest in better housing, pay for warm clothing and various luxuries, and even send their children to boarding schools in Kathmandu. Babies born in Langtang suddenly had the world at their feet in a way that hadn’t been possible before. By the turn of the century, Langtang National Park had become the third most popular trekking destination in Nepal. Every year, tens of thousands of trekkers made the journey up the valley, mostly during the twin high seasons of April and October. But on the morning of April 25, 2015, that happy status quo rapidly came to an end. *** At 11:56 a.m. that day, Nepal began to shake violently from the force of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. In Kathmandu, concrete apartments collapsed, pedestrians and motorcyclists were thrown to the ground, and thick dust choked the streets. In nearby Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage site, ancient monuments crumbled and spilled onto cobbled squares. Farther north, in the hilly region of Helambu, centuries-old stone houses turned to rubble as farmers looked on in dismay. And at the same time, farther north still, relatively hidden from the shocked eyes of the world, Langtang Valley was experiencing something even worse. “I was cooking lunch for a group of 20 trekkers,” says Sherap Tamang, who owns a guest house in Kyanjin Gompa, two hours up the valley from Langtang village. “They all started shouting and running, but I didn’t know what the problem was. Then I realized everything was shaking.” Sherap Tamang in Kyanjin Gompa, near Langtang village. Sherap escaped from his guest house and joined dozens of locals and trekkers gathered in a courtyard outside. One man was bleeding from his head, and some buildings were beginning to cave in, but the situation otherwise seemed to be under control. At that moment, however, a new sound—quite distinct from the rumbling of the earth—began to make itself heard above the din. Sherap looked down the valley, and saw a huge, billowing cloud rushing towards him. Avalanche! He and the others had just enough time to take cover before “the wind” was upon them, ripping roofs from houses and pelting everything with snow and ice. The force was so powerful that it ripped a baby from a mother’s arms and carried them several yards from where she was standing. The baby was later found, half-buried in snow and with two broken legs—but miraculously alive |
Nepal Avalanche Carried Half the Force of an Atomic Bomb
By Ellen Barry, NY Times, Dec. 18, 2015 NEW DELHI–The avalanche that buried the popular hiking village of Langtang in Nepal this past spring struck with about half the force of an atomic bomb, according to a study published this week in the journal Science. A strong earthquake on April 25 touched off the avalanche, sending stone, earth and snow cascading down onto the village, which was crowded with backpackers, guides and their families. About 350 people were killed, many of them foreign tourists. The impact was equivalent to the detonation of 7.6 kilotons of TNT, the study estimated; the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 was equivalent to about 16 kilotons. Some survivors of the disaster in Langtang have described seeing boulders the size of cars demolishing buildings or being borne aloft by a torrent of wind and snow. When the cloud settled, only one structure in the village remained standing, a house that had been tucked into the mountainside under a rocky overhang. International search teams sifted through the debris for weeks afterward, looking for bodies or other remains, but nearly 100 people are still listed as missing. The new study, the work of 64 scientists, concludes that a mass of ice and snow six and a half feet thick fell off a cliff and “became airborne,” plummeting more than 3,000 feet to the ground below at a final speed of about 200 feet per second. The air blasts that accompanied the avalanche exceeded 200 miles an hour, as powerful as the deadliest tornadoes on record–enough to blow stone houses from their foundations. Among the forensic evidence available to scientists was a small forest that had been flattened by the blast of air as far as 1,300 feet up the opposite slope of the valley, according to Jeffrey S. Kargel, a glaciologist at the University of Arizona who was the lead author of the study. “Their limbs were removed, their leaves were removed, their branches were removed–in many cases, the bark was removed,” Mr. Kargel said. “It really resembles the Hiroshima blast zone, and no wonder–the energy is of the same magnitude. It’s really horrifying.” The study’s principal conclusion is that over all, the damage from the earthquake could have been much worse than it was. Despite the quake’s great strength–its magnitude was 7.8–it caused fewer landslides than some experts had expected, and it did not cause any of Nepal’s glacial lakes to burst out and sweep away bridges and villages with torrents of debris-filled water. This may have been because the quake shook the ground at a low frequency, producing “comparatively gentle swaying, not the rapid ratcheting that the high frequency causes,” Mr. Kargel said. Joseph M. Shea, a contributing author of the study, said he had often done field work in the Langtang Valley before the quake, and that he had been powerfully affected by the data about the destruction there. “It must have been a massive wind,” said Mr. Shea, a glacier hydrologist at the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital. “It would have been horrifying for the people there. The wind would have been the first thing that basically hit them.” |
Trip day to day itineraryDay 1: Arrival at Kathmandu Airport. We will meet you at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. When you have had time to settle in and freshen up, you will be invited to visit our office (or meet at the hotel) for a briefing about your program. You will meet with your trekking guide and discuss the trek; also we will process the trekking permits. If you arrive at night we will have the same discussion the following morning after breakfast
Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu City and any last minute preparations. This morning, after breakfast you will leave for a day tour around Kathmandu (if you wish). You can visit sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath; both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We can also visit the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath and view many fine arts and the historical architecture of Kathmandu’s Durbar Square (reflecting the ancient Nepalese culture). On return to your hotel you will have time to explore the local area, have dinner and perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the popular streets.
Day 3: Kathmandu drive to Syabru Bensi (1550m). After breakfast we drive out along the north-western hills of Kathmandu for apx. 7-8hrs. You will see the white snow-capped mountains 0f Annapurna II, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and other minor peaks along the route as well as green hillocks, rivers and villages. Witness the Himalaya and mountainous lifestyle through the terraced fields and rustic villages. The scenery of foothills and ridgeline vistas pass through the Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati and Dhunche; you will know that you are heading towards a land deep in history. We will take lunch at the Trishuli Bazaar before continuing on further to Dhunche. We descend down to Syabru Bensi for the overnight stay.
Day 4: Syabru Bensi to Lama Hotel (2450m), walking distance 10.9 km. This exciting first day trekking crosses through the Bhote Koshi River flowing down from Tibet and follows the Langtang Khola. After a visit to the Gompa of Guru Rinpoche we will follow the stone-paved main street out of town over Langtang Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge the trail gradually ascends up to ‘Bamboo’ passing by a famous old landslide. The trail goes through the sub-tropical forest which is cover by oak and maple, massive spruce, fir and blue pine. We pass through forests of oak and rhododendron. There is abundant wildlife here such as: yellow-throated martens, wild boars, Langur Monkeys, Red Pandas and Himalayan Black Bears. Ever onward your trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m). And at the end of the day our trail is level to the Lama Hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 5: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3430m), walking distance 14.8 km. The day start with a gentle climb but it soon becomes steeper; climbing through forests of hemlock, oak, maple and white or pink rhododendrons high above the Langtang Khola. The tantalizing glimpses of snow-capped peaks begin to appear (along with a fleeting view of Mt. Langtang Lirung, 7244m.).This trail leads to a log bridge and further on we come across lush meadows of Ghora Tabela (2992m).The trail ascends gradually as the valley opens up into classical U-shaped glacial. We will follow the trail across the helipad and yak pastures, climb briefly through rhododendrons to reach several Tamang villages. The trail crosses a stream that powers several water driven mills and prayer wheels to the large settlement of Langtang 3430m (headquarters of Langtang National Park). The village has flat roof Tibetan style houses and elaborately carved wood windows (the upper village is worth exploring). The valley is surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields where buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley are grown. It’s easy to find a yak and wild goats wondering around you.
Day 6: Langtang village to Kyanjin Gompa (3870m), walking distance 6.8 km. The trail winds through the village MANI WALL (below inset) and climbs a ridge topped by a large ‘chorten’ (Sanskrit for a stupa). It then climbs gradually past an impressive ‘mani wall’ crossing a stream to the small village of Mundu (3442m). After crossing several small streams with wooden cantilever bridges and moraines, you can finally see the monastery of Kyanjin Gompa and the dramatic icefall flowing from the peaks of Langtang Lirung and Kimshung. Here is a famous government operated cheese factory. We will have chance to taste the cheese and curd made with Yak milk, it is wonderful. After having lunch we can explore the area with many
Day 06: continued views of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Genjempol, Kyangjin RI (4750m.),Tsergo RI (5000m.), Ganja la (5160m.), Langshisa- Ri (6427m.), Dorje, Lakpa (6430m.), Naya Kang (5844m.) and Yala peak (5500m).
Day 7: Acclimatization day / Exploration day in Kyanjin. Today is the rest and exploration day of the trekking .We visit the monastery and the cheese factory or may walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyanjin Ri (4350m) and Tserko Ri 5,000m.(which is highest point of this trek). We will hike easy today for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang Lirung, Langtang range, Kimshung, Yansa Tsenji. We also have the options to do a side trip to Langshisa Kharka (there are several alternative side trips today). Spend our night back at Kyanjin.
Day 8: Trek back to Lama Hotel (2450m), walking distance 21.6 km. Have your breakfast while enjoying snow-capped mountains and a breathtaking view. We will follow the same trail back down, alongside the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After having lunch we will continue a steep descend to the Lama Hotel. All the way down you will see fantastic views of towering mountains that you may have missed on the way up. Overnight at the Lama Hotel.
Day 9: Trek to Syabru Bensi (1550m), walking distance 10.9 km. Today after breakfast we hike back to Syabru Bensi. The trail is mostly downhill through lush greenery while enjoying more spectacular views. We will walk along the rising and falling pathways leading to a village which provides us the opportunity to get a closer look at the customs and culture of the enchanting Tamang people. Soon we reach Syabru Bensi for the overnight stay.
Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu: 7-8hrs. We will drive back to Kathmandu passing farming terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, high hills and the Trishuli river side. It takes about 7 to 8 hours (conditions permitting) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu. In evening we will have the celebratory dinner and cultural show in a typical Nepali Restaurant with memories and tall tales of your trekking adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 11: Farewell Departure. After breakfast we will provide transfer to KTM (Tribhuvan International Airport).
Note #2: Above itinerary includes FB (Full Board) which is Accommodations, Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners while on trek. BB (Bed and Breakfast while in Kathmandu. Drinks ARE NOT included while trekking but are available along the route
Special note:Above itinerary can be designed according to your preferences. Please let us know whether you would like to make it a shorter or longer trek. Also, if you would like to stay more than 11 days, we offer city guided tours of Kathmandu, white water rafting, jungle safaris or Everest mountain flights.
Brief Package Highlights: In this package, we have included 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu at 3 star hotels on BB plan, meals and accommodations during trekking, farewell dinner in Kathmandu, tourist bus to Pokhara and all ground transportation by private car, an experienced guide and porter and all of the government taxes and necessary permits.
Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu City and any last minute preparations. This morning, after breakfast you will leave for a day tour around Kathmandu (if you wish). You can visit sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath; both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We can also visit the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath and view many fine arts and the historical architecture of Kathmandu’s Durbar Square (reflecting the ancient Nepalese culture). On return to your hotel you will have time to explore the local area, have dinner and perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the popular streets.
Day 3: Kathmandu drive to Syabru Bensi (1550m). After breakfast we drive out along the north-western hills of Kathmandu for apx. 7-8hrs. You will see the white snow-capped mountains 0f Annapurna II, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and other minor peaks along the route as well as green hillocks, rivers and villages. Witness the Himalaya and mountainous lifestyle through the terraced fields and rustic villages. The scenery of foothills and ridgeline vistas pass through the Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati and Dhunche; you will know that you are heading towards a land deep in history. We will take lunch at the Trishuli Bazaar before continuing on further to Dhunche. We descend down to Syabru Bensi for the overnight stay.
Day 4: Syabru Bensi to Lama Hotel (2450m), walking distance 10.9 km. This exciting first day trekking crosses through the Bhote Koshi River flowing down from Tibet and follows the Langtang Khola. After a visit to the Gompa of Guru Rinpoche we will follow the stone-paved main street out of town over Langtang Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge the trail gradually ascends up to ‘Bamboo’ passing by a famous old landslide. The trail goes through the sub-tropical forest which is cover by oak and maple, massive spruce, fir and blue pine. We pass through forests of oak and rhododendron. There is abundant wildlife here such as: yellow-throated martens, wild boars, Langur Monkeys, Red Pandas and Himalayan Black Bears. Ever onward your trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m). And at the end of the day our trail is level to the Lama Hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 5: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3430m), walking distance 14.8 km. The day start with a gentle climb but it soon becomes steeper; climbing through forests of hemlock, oak, maple and white or pink rhododendrons high above the Langtang Khola. The tantalizing glimpses of snow-capped peaks begin to appear (along with a fleeting view of Mt. Langtang Lirung, 7244m.).This trail leads to a log bridge and further on we come across lush meadows of Ghora Tabela (2992m).The trail ascends gradually as the valley opens up into classical U-shaped glacial. We will follow the trail across the helipad and yak pastures, climb briefly through rhododendrons to reach several Tamang villages. The trail crosses a stream that powers several water driven mills and prayer wheels to the large settlement of Langtang 3430m (headquarters of Langtang National Park). The village has flat roof Tibetan style houses and elaborately carved wood windows (the upper village is worth exploring). The valley is surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields where buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley are grown. It’s easy to find a yak and wild goats wondering around you.
Day 6: Langtang village to Kyanjin Gompa (3870m), walking distance 6.8 km. The trail winds through the village MANI WALL (below inset) and climbs a ridge topped by a large ‘chorten’ (Sanskrit for a stupa). It then climbs gradually past an impressive ‘mani wall’ crossing a stream to the small village of Mundu (3442m). After crossing several small streams with wooden cantilever bridges and moraines, you can finally see the monastery of Kyanjin Gompa and the dramatic icefall flowing from the peaks of Langtang Lirung and Kimshung. Here is a famous government operated cheese factory. We will have chance to taste the cheese and curd made with Yak milk, it is wonderful. After having lunch we can explore the area with many
Day 06: continued views of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Genjempol, Kyangjin RI (4750m.),Tsergo RI (5000m.), Ganja la (5160m.), Langshisa- Ri (6427m.), Dorje, Lakpa (6430m.), Naya Kang (5844m.) and Yala peak (5500m).
Day 7: Acclimatization day / Exploration day in Kyanjin. Today is the rest and exploration day of the trekking .We visit the monastery and the cheese factory or may walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyanjin Ri (4350m) and Tserko Ri 5,000m.(which is highest point of this trek). We will hike easy today for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang Lirung, Langtang range, Kimshung, Yansa Tsenji. We also have the options to do a side trip to Langshisa Kharka (there are several alternative side trips today). Spend our night back at Kyanjin.
Day 8: Trek back to Lama Hotel (2450m), walking distance 21.6 km. Have your breakfast while enjoying snow-capped mountains and a breathtaking view. We will follow the same trail back down, alongside the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After having lunch we will continue a steep descend to the Lama Hotel. All the way down you will see fantastic views of towering mountains that you may have missed on the way up. Overnight at the Lama Hotel.
Day 9: Trek to Syabru Bensi (1550m), walking distance 10.9 km. Today after breakfast we hike back to Syabru Bensi. The trail is mostly downhill through lush greenery while enjoying more spectacular views. We will walk along the rising and falling pathways leading to a village which provides us the opportunity to get a closer look at the customs and culture of the enchanting Tamang people. Soon we reach Syabru Bensi for the overnight stay.
Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu: 7-8hrs. We will drive back to Kathmandu passing farming terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, high hills and the Trishuli river side. It takes about 7 to 8 hours (conditions permitting) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu. In evening we will have the celebratory dinner and cultural show in a typical Nepali Restaurant with memories and tall tales of your trekking adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 11: Farewell Departure. After breakfast we will provide transfer to KTM (Tribhuvan International Airport).
Note #2: Above itinerary includes FB (Full Board) which is Accommodations, Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners while on trek. BB (Bed and Breakfast while in Kathmandu. Drinks ARE NOT included while trekking but are available along the route
Special note:Above itinerary can be designed according to your preferences. Please let us know whether you would like to make it a shorter or longer trek. Also, if you would like to stay more than 11 days, we offer city guided tours of Kathmandu, white water rafting, jungle safaris or Everest mountain flights.
Brief Package Highlights: In this package, we have included 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu at 3 star hotels on BB plan, meals and accommodations during trekking, farewell dinner in Kathmandu, tourist bus to Pokhara and all ground transportation by private car, an experienced guide and porter and all of the government taxes and necessary permits.