HISTORY MADE! GHT complete! Saturday July 16th, Day 149 of the World Expeditions Great Himalaya Trail Nepal Traverse by Toni Wilson
Hi it’s Toni
It’s Saturday the 16th of July on the border at Hilsa. Pratap, who has been with Greg and I for 130 days, walked with us to the Tibetan border at Hilsa. It was cloudy misty and damp on a 1000m climb to the top of the pass with poor visibility. However on the descent the clouds lifted to reveal a stunning landscape of orange hued sandstone slopes weather, beaten into exquisite shapes – it was breathtaking – and Greg said it was typical of Nepal to surprise us right to the end.
We walked over the bridge into Tibet hand in hand and took lots of photos before relaxing and having a lager. Upon our return to the camp we were surprised with a wonderful presentation by each of our crew of silk scarves which they tied around our necks. It meant a lot to us as each of these men have played an important part in helping Greg and I across the roof of Nepal. After tea and dinner they presented me with a delicious chocolate cake and candles for my 50th birthday which is today. I received some wonderful presents and some more silk scarves from my new friends that I will treasure forever. Greg has been practicing on his new drum for the last two months to play for me, which I loved. However the drumming was soon taken over by one of the crew and then the party really started.
We all danced around the table to our favourite Nepalese songs and the tent was decorated with balloons that Ngawang had bought. The local Tibetan traders came alone and we gave the balloons to the children. The crew all sang and danced and then we had to sing Waltzing Matilda…which was very out of tune. I have had a wonderful day. I have no brothers in England, but have found many brothers in the crew that have shown me much kindness and looked after me with such care over the last five months.
I’d like to say hello to my family and friends – I know that you are thinking of me today and I am thinking of you. We’ll be back in Kathmandu in about 4 day’s time. I would like to say happy birthday to Jane Simmons whose 50th birthday is next week!
Good bye!
Toni
Editors Note: Greg and Toni have now made history being the first to walk the length of the Great Himalaya Trail in a single season. They are now doubling back on the Stage 7 Rara Lake and Yari Valley section on their way to Simikot airport for their flight back to Kathmandu and a joyous reunification on Thursday with some of those who helped make the Great Himalaya Trail possible.
In creating the first commercial trek of the GHT, World Expeditions have followed Toni and Greg and all the stage trekkers the entire way over the mountains and through the valleys and would like to congratulate Toni and Greg in particular for a stellar effort. We'd be remiss of course not to acknowledge the work of our guides and crew including but not limited to Ngawang Dorji Sherpa, Ongchhu Sherpa, Bir Singh Gurung, Bhuwan Singh Rana Magar, Phurba Tamang, Pratap, Manzoor Ahmed...without whom the Great Himalaya Trail would not have been possible. Thanks also to our knowledgeable guest leaders including Robin Boustead the original architect of the Great Himalaya Trail, Stephen Venables, Carlos Buhler and Sorrel Wilby.
We've all be inspired by new people, new places some new mountains not regularly seen or talked about and we're thrilled the benefits of sustainable tourism have been shared with the most remote of communities. If the GHT blog has given you some new found inspiration we invite you to visit our website to learn how you can be involved in the 2012 Great Himalaya Trail on a single section, or a couple, or the entire 157-day traverse!
