30 years ago: 15 March 1982, Jomson Trek day 12, Jomson to Kagbeni

Monday 15th March 1982:  Jomson to Kagbeni (5 miles), Jomson Trek

My cold was worse today especially from midday onwards.  Dave went to Jomson Post Office before we left for Kagbeni but it didn’t open until 10:00.  We then had the obligatory stop at the police checkpost on the edge of town where our trekking permits were examined.  It was easy walking to Kagbeni (9100 ft) as we followed the locals in cutting out a few unnecessary climbs by crossing to the W bank of the Thak Khola and then back to E bank half way to Kagbeni.  In 1979 I stuck to the E bank, as recommended in my guide book, and didn't realise the locals walking along the flat on the other side of the river were going to Kagbeni too, until they crossed back to my side half way there.  By then I'd climbed and dropped more than 500 feet crossing irritating ridges, but I did see 7 Wallcreepers along the harder route that day so wasn't greatly worried.  Today the fields at Kagbeni were disappointing and we gave up after a couple of hours of seeing very little.  We returned to the Red House Lodge were we'd left our bags.  It was reputed to be the best in Kagbeni, but that wasn't saying much!  We were shown the Buddha they keep in a cupboard there.

Birds seen:  Black Kite 1, Himalayan Griffon Vulture 1, Kestrel 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Rock Dove 20, Chukar 10, Crag Martin 4, Grey Wagtail 1, Pied Wagtail 5, Brown Accentor 10, Robin Accentor 5, Red-throated Thrush 10, Stoliczka’s Tit Warbler 1 male, Green-backed Tit 1, Wallcreeper 3, Chough 200, Raven 1, Tree Sparrow 20, Beautiful Rosefinch 1, Eastern Great Rosefinch 4, Rock Bunting 1.

Red-throated Thrush at Kagbeni

Brown Accentor at Kagbeni