D00/11 Anapurna Circuit (ACT) : Pokhara-Begnas Lake

First day departure in the afternoon quite late just to get out of the city...

Generalities about the trip :
- We felt the beginning of the trip is not really worth it... it gets you in shape but takes long. If yo do again I would start in XxxxX and end in Jomsom.
- We did it on the coldest time of the year, that means carriyng more stuff, and more weight. Weight matters a lot here!
- Last year (2022), with heavy rain, there was lots of landslides and bridges destoyed... Temporary repairs means you have to go up and down each time... on a very bad dirt road.
- Hot springs in Jagat, but down the canyon if you have enought legs
- Hot springs in Chame are destroyed, there is a really little pond next to the river, not enougth to put you all body...
- Money... get cash before you leave Pokhara, consider 2000NPR/person as a MINIMUM. ATM in Manang but not reliable...
- Weather forcast : We did struggle to find information so...
# Weather in Manang : There is a weather station at Manang airport, you can access the previsions here for exemple https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/manang-airport_nepal_6941684
# Weather in moutain/altitude : https://www.mountain-forecast.com/subranges/central-nepal-himalaya-1/locations
# Our observations : in the winter and on the Manang valley, it seams that a strong wind kicks in daily at around noon/1:00pm, from East to West.
# It is the same in Jomsom, airport weather seams correct. Strong headwind (going up the mustang valley) in the wintertime kicks in at noon.
Important note : we did not have internet after Manang, so no way to check weather reports. Local people would not help much because they would sell guide/porter service...

Equiment :
- Depending on the season, go light and warm.
- We did not take sleeping bags but asked for additonnal blankets, and we had to pay 100NPR/blanket but only in highcamp.
- We did not carry water filter but if can be a good option as "safe water drinking points" were actually all closed. Water bottle retail for 150NPR/liter, negociate to get it for 100NPR (sometimes works). Prices will rise up to 250/300NPR/liter in Thorung Phedi and highcamp.
- Mountain bike gearing type mandatory. We run 2x10 speed, lower gear 22x40 on 29" wheels for me, a minimum I felt...
- The pass is at very high altitude. People advise to get there before 10am that means you may need to start with a headlight in winter?
- Again very high altitude means very warm clothes... down jacket, big socks, waterproof boots and crampons, you can find everything in Pokhara!

Altitude sickness : it is very personnal. For us we started to feel a difficulty to breath from 2700m during effort. A few troubles while sleeping at 3300m. Usually, symptoms should disapear after a day of acclimatation. In Manang Hospital, you can get Diamox, wich is a PREVENTIVE (proven) drug because it takes 12h to 24h to work. Be carefull it is a very small hospital and they may not have pills left. In wintertime, only a young paramedic was there. Get information from a specialist (mountain medic) before comming.

Still ongoing, to be updated...