Bikesh Deshar

THERE is always something deeply exciting, not only in the wilderness of the forest in the mountains, which exert more or less influence over every mind, but in their varied wilderness as manifested by the change in season especially those of mountains in winter. The evergreen forest of the Phulchoki Mountain is indescribably impressive and sublime, but the native Himalayan high altitude oak trees seem to me the best interpreters of the mountain. They are mighty, ever in tune, singing and writing tree-music all their long century lives. Little, however, of these noble trees and their music will you see or hear in the strictly higher elevation of the mountain (above 2650 m). © Nirpesh Sharma I had long been looking from the city that never sleeps and at last, all draw-backs overcome, a friend of mine and I set forth on the second last day of December, 2021, on a 10 mile walk (Chapagaun-Phulchoki Summit) to the top of the valley, 2700 m above from the sea level. As it rained so heavily...

The sustained grandeur of the Kathmandu valley is strikingly illustrated by the surrounding lush hills and mountains. However, one big question mark comes in our mind whenever we hike these mountainsides that can we keep these lushness of the valley for our children, for another century? Great thoughts are conceived when we walk in the wilderness. With countless thoughts on my mind, I did a solo hike around the southern mountains of the valley dated October 30, 2021. Radar station hike could be acclimatization hike for those who wants to hike upper elevation i.e. above 2300 m above the sea level. If you hike this place more than once, you could acclimatize above elevation for a month or two. With good walking pace, I started my hike at 11 O'clock, from my house, Chapagaun and took the same native trails that lead to the Charghare where suspension bridge joins two villages. After crossing the bridge, I took the narrow forest way that goes to the Tikabhairav. I always admire this for...

Among the many unlooked-for treasures that are bound up and hidden away in the depths of Kathmandu valley solitudes, none more surely charm and surprise all kinds of travelers. The forests and the mountains and the wandering streams advertise their wealth in a more or less telling manner even in the distance, but nothing is seen of the valley until we have traversed them.  It all started with a request. A friend of mine, Nirpesh requested for a hike around western mountains. Undeniably, I said yes to his request. Back in days, we did several hikes and travels together. Due to the travel restrictions, we felt stagnated at home. To escape from our daily routine, we went on a day hike around western mountains of the valley. And, we successfully completed "Dhunche Hike" together. The trial is popularly known as Champadevi Trial.  With little group chat, we finalized our hike. Unfortunately, a friend couldn't make it because of his dentist's appointment. Then, we (Nirpesh,...