Two years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Nepal for the first time; it was a two-week walk to ABC - Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m). My first experience of trekking at such heights, in which I realized that I couldn't do it without it, as well as without yachting. A trip around the world is not a way to live part of life at sea, but an opportunity to reach your desired places at home, under sail, and with interesting people. During which there will be no less coastal program than a maritime one: mountains, deserts, forests and jungles, ruins and bustling metropolises. A life in constant motion that I'm going to broadcast to you.

When you walk on the roof of the world, its scale and grandeur are much more felt than in the ocean. And the level of detachment and self-immersion is much higher than at the helm. Everything is planned in advance; you just walk, adjusting your own pace and breathing rhythm, contemplating the beauty of this world. I'm not talking about climbing and living in the mountains at the limit, which is probably similar to the roaring forties, but about walking in a comfortable rhythm, where there is always a place to stay and spend the night.

On a yacht, I always have internal tension for the ship and crew, and even on the smoothest water, there is a chance that something will be met by the yacht's hull. And the most important thing is that the yacht is moving all the time, and at anchor, for example, is even more exciting than moving. And sometimes you just want to stop and seize the moment, enjoying it without the tightening of constant control over the situation. It seemed different to me on the trail, and I found what I needed so much to sail.

At the end of the last trip, we immediately started talking about possible new destinations for us, and this year we gathered quite spontaneously at EBC - Everest Base Camp (5325). The plans included a group of 11 people, but not everyone succeeded due to circumstances, and there were only six of us left. Considering that last time there were only four of us, even 6 people is 50% more.

We have 14 days allocated for the entire route, taking into account the first and last days. It's very similar to a two-week charter, where we slowly go further and further and then come back in a couple of days. Yesterday everyone met in Kathmandu, and in one day we managed to process the documents at the tourist center and buy the missing equipment. Today we left Kathmandu by jeep to the track start point in Phaplu, 260 km of road in 11 hours, which was just unbearable. Tired, sleepy, cramped, on awful roads. The second half of the journey breathed life into us with its landscapes, and by sunset we were there. The transfer cost 120 euros for everyone, which is very cheap for such a journey and so many working hours. It turns out that this village has a runway, and I would probably prefer to fly here by plane now, but these are also risks.

An overnight stay in a room for two, which resembles an SV with linen, costs only 1,000 rupees (7 euros). All food is quite edible and also at affordable prices. Everyone has already gone to bed today, and only I'm writing to you for the night, tomorrow the real journey begins, and I'll keep you up to date with stories and reports in the evenings.

📸 Annapurna 2023

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