This man is making a mold for a brass water pot in Chainpur, a district center in the hills of eastern Nepal. He's Newari, a group that believes in both Hindu and Buddhist teachings. Rock slabs pave Chainpur's street. The town has multi-story buildings and electricity, yet is far from the nearest road. The Arun River lies far below as we climb to the Milke Danda ridge.
Nights are frosty now.
The sun feels great. A view of Kangchenjunga rewards us when we crest the ridge. Now we turn south along the ridge toward trail's end at Basantapur, not far from our starting point of Hile. The Himalaya peaks shine in their icy glory. A Makalu sunrise on our last trekking day.