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We awoke at 6.30am to another beautiful sunny morning, and had some hearty porridge to fuel us up for the day. A snow peak was visible at the top of the valley from our breakfast table, and it looked alarmingly distant.

The day started with a steepish climb to Bahundanda at 1310m (the name means hill town), the path to which included a diversion around a huge landslide where long lines of people were passing rocks along the chain to clear the way. Having got our breath back, we were a little disappointed to find we had to descend several hundred meters down to a big suspension bridge over the river. (This was going to happen quite a few times in the next few days!)

Before reaching the bridge, we had to negotiate a fresh mudslide which was still in (gradual) motion. It was alarming to see large trees uprooted and snapped into pieces, and to feel yourself slipping down the hill as you stepped on anything that looked solid. Some locals had established a route across, and demanded a donation for their efforts. We were pleased to be back on solid ground, so paid up without any arguments.

Having started the day with a spring in our step, we'd certainly walked off the porridge by lunch time, and were quite pleased to have a break. Drew had also managed to pick up 4 leech bites, whilst Heather and Devendra were unscathed. At the lunch spot there was a big impressive waterfall on the opposite side of the valley.

After lunch we crossed the river again, and we soon came across another massive landslide. Some workers were knocking loose rocks down from the top, each one producing a chilling thudding sound as they tumbled. A system of attendants with flags at bottom kept trekkers out of the way until the workers paused to let us through. We were at the back of a small group, and sped up considerably when we saw the flag starting to wave before we were fully clear. More alarming still was when we were later told that the workers had all apparently been enjoying the wild cannabis which was in abundance along the river banks.

It was then a steep climb up to Jagat, with several more rock slides along the way. Jagat is a small town in a steep valley - the houses are built in amongst some gigantic boulders, which we had to hope would stay where they were. The sun leaves the town quite early due to the steepness of the valley sides, and it was a little cold and dark. We were pretty sure our sweaty clothes were not going to dry by the morning, but were glad to get into our change of dry clothes (which are reserved for wearing in the lodges in the evening).

Dal Bhat for dinner; 5 out of 10 - one curry, watery dal. Helped by raw green chillies, and large seconds.

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