In Shermathang, a group of monks reside in the chief gompa and are working to become lamas. Salam and his crew excelled in skill and pleasance beyond my highest expectations, but I knew that the great views and high passes were past. My interest in the finer points of flora and culture just didn't match my lust for the heights. What it came down to was that I seriously began thinking about pushing for a return to Kathmandu for a new adventure, rather than the 5-day trek extension in the lower hills that would give us time in Salam and Kalam's home village. Consequently, I was a bit of a moody walker.
Travel is great for self-revelation.
It rained off and on while we were in Shermathang, but we enjoyed the benefit of the confused actions of the scudding clouds as they framed small vistas of sunny fields across the valley or lush forest clinging to sheer heights. While in town, I tried to connect to the internet to ship the first parts of this tale, but the solar recharged batteries of the village's one phone rig were exhausted. In the morning, we ascended to the high gompa on the ridgecrest for crystal dawn views of the crest of the Jugal Himal. From Shermathang, the trekking route gradually descends 1600 meters to the river and the roadhead town of Melemchi Pul. Nordically speaking, I am not the heat guy I once fancied myself to be.