Started at 5:55am in Besisahar. Hot and humid down low. I stayed on trail wherever possible (there was one section that was closed for construction). I also had to stop at a check post for about 15 mins to buy a permit since I had not done that prior.
I started my earliest on day 2 since I knew that I had a lot of climbing up to altitude. Really enjoyed the views of Annapurna II climbing up to Ghyaru. Even though it feels out of the way, neat little town and those were some of my favorite views of the whole circuit. I stopped for breakfast in Manang and then stopped for a nap in Phedi. I left for the pass a little after 4 and was trying to beat the dark to the other side. A snowstorm rolled in near the summit that made the descent a little slick and sketch but doable. By the time I reached lower elevations the snow turned into sleet and then rain- glad I had my handy dandy rain poncho. Stopped for the night at the first lodge that was actually open (not as many resources on that side), and they gave me a heater/ tea/ porridge to warm up.
Day 3 was a long one. The miles on the Jeep roads were very mentally exhausting in the heat of the day. Was sick of cars honking at me and almost ready to quit. For some reason though I kept walking one mile after the other and got it done. The villages on this part of the alt route are very cool and I bought a small grass basket from a guy up there.
Day 4- the home stretch! I was feeling excited this morning knowing that the end was in sight. Only an hour in, however, a monsoon commenced as soon at I hit Tatopani. I continued working my way up the hill and stopped along the ridgeline for 45 mins maybe to wait out the lightening. This day was also very hot down low and my feet were in agony especially going down the never ending stone stairs. I finished above the bridge at 2:12pm (following the gpx track). Perhaps it was in better conditions in previous years but the trail to the suspension bridge/ road has become pretty washed out. I think the logical end point should be the road bridge. Either way it doesn’t make too big of a difference.