Tito Returns To Nepal - Solo And Raw Adventure

"The trip took me to incredible trails in the mountain, to beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas but more importantly, I got to meet a lot of people stoked to see a mountain biker there! Feel the stoke and enjoy the video." - Tito

The initial project was to attempt the biggest distance possible on the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal, a trail that crosses the range from east to west. Due to the height and the difficulties of crossing passes in the Everest region with a bike, without real information and afraid to put myself into a dangerous situation I decided to take the lower route. The trip started with a flight to the famous spectacular airport in Lukla, in the Everest Rowling region. I rode one day around the Namche Bazar area, from there starts a painful trip to Giri, through the forest and passes. The whole area counts several valleys and dozens of villages on the Everest business. People transport food to the Everest Base Camp trek, provide sherpas and service to trekkers going to Lukla by land.


There are a lot of sherpas and porters on the trail but there are also 5000 donkeys to transport food, gasoline, gears. This circulation and the terrible monsoon season destroyed the trail, creating mud holes and tearing apart the countless steps, leaving the trail as a no man's land, an unrideable field of rocks, mud and roots. The weather was terrible for the four days, making the trail nearly impossible to ride. A condition that made me change my plan in order to get to the Langtang valley faster.


I knew the riding would be much more interesting, so I went back to the capital city by jeep on a 10-hour trip. After a short break in Kathmandu (where I dropped my hand luggage) I loaded my Thunderbolt on the roof of a bus for 8 hours. Arriving in Dunche, I rode half of the Gosainkunda trek to get some views but the rain was following me. Trails were slippery and making the downhill like a mission! Still a lot of fun though, surviving the giant descent from Laurebina to Bamboo (-2250 meters), the locals were laughing at me. Looking at me sliding everywhere, covered in mud! Actually to see me carrying my bike also made them laugh, so maybe bikes are fun in Nepal?


Meeting people and explaining my passion is always a good time. The experience was awesome, dropping from the tree line to the jungle through the fields and small villages. There is always life somewhere in the Himalayas, thinking about being lost? Nope, there is someone coming! Some cows, donkeys or Yaks. And around the corner you always find some stupas and praying flags, this atmosphere is unique in the world, making the mountain more spiritual and the journey deeper. While traveling I often stop and admire, this state of mind is between the action and the contemplation. My eyes are open, my dream is today and my chance is now. All I have is the present.


After I got on the Langtang trek it was a succession of stairs, landslides, and some pedaling sections, climbing along the impressive Langtang river the trail passes a lot of lodges and habitation before the valley opens up in the area of the old Langtang village. Last year in April an earthquake caused an avalanche that erased the village from the map, killing over 200 people. I was shocked while crossing the area, feeling the sadness of the place. Now people are re-building the village on an upper and safer zone, but nothing will never be the same after that. This reminds us every day that life is precious.


After New Langtang the view changes, I could see the first real white summit far above the clouds, this view was positive and gave me a lot of energy. Helping me to get to Kyanjin Gompa really fast. This is the last village of the valley, a peaceful place above the river and surrounded by impressive mountains. One of the tallest and most impressive is the Langtang Lirung culminating at 7234 meters, a giant of ice and rock. The place is cool to stay even if they have lost their monastery in the earthquake. For a few days I was taking my bike to many places around the valley making the most of the clear morning and meeting a lot of people. A beautiful time.



On my way down to the valley, I decided to change my route and head to the Tamang Heritage trail, it was a good idea despite the first climb then the trail were awesome and sick to ride! A ton of fun and with some impressive views of the valley. The place is a few kilometers from the Tibetan border and the Tamang community are Tibetan refugees, the heritage here is huge.
I eventually reached Syabru Bensi, where I found some Spanish dudes I have met in Kyanjin Gompa a few days earlier that had gone one day before me, the reunion was fun. Those guys are fun and cooked a perfect and typical Spanish dinner, it was a good time. Trips are full of surprise, no plan is often the best plan.



A start from Syabru means I was starting from the lower point again, with a new destination in mind I had no idea of what to expect, but I was heading to Manaslu trough the Great Himalaya Trail. The first climb was 2600 meters. It was also long in distance and took me about six hours to get to the pass! From the heat to the cold. The valley to the pass, a solid day. After another day on the trail, crossing the foggy pass, I reached more valleys.


The trip was rough on the bike and off the bike, sleeping in some kind of homestay with really basic comfort (none), but I was having a blast. Following my voice in my mind I was close to freedom, and even if the trails were hard to ride I was enjoying myself. Riding on suspended trail, chased by kids, jumping stairs, crossing the typical bridges. One more day to the Manaslu region, this day was terrible, starting pretty well I got lost and people couldn't really help. This is the kind of painful and long day, where I just show patience and force. But finally I made it, I was in Manaslu a lot earlier than expected, so I was thinking about doing the whole trek. Unfortunately for the trek a guide and another trekker is mandatory. No solo trekking. I rode the valley down to Arugath Bazar to find a way to get back to Kathmandu.


Celebrating my trip with a beer, my feelings were shared. A huge part of me wanted to find some people in the valley and pass the national park entrance to attempt the Manaslu trek, but another part knew I was almost too short in time. Actually, I am heading to Kathmandu to start the YakAttack race in a few days, the event is a ten-day race across the Annapurna range and entire Mustang valley. The kind of adventure where you need some energy. A rest was welcome. Manaslu will stay and I might come back one day for it. Or not. There is so much to live and experience, there is so much we can do.


Back in Kathmandu, I enjoyed my time resting and painting. The city offers a lot of animation especially now as it's Baithika festival! Everywhere is lights and music. I got the chance to ride the Kathmandu valley for a few days, riding awesome trails with the view on the Himalaya range, the show at sunset is magic as the peaks and glaciers are getting pink and orange.


I would like to thanks my sponsors for their trust and support from a while now, Urge Bike, Mavic, Rocky Mountain and Posca.

Life is a chance.
Vive La Vie,

Tito

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MENTIONS: @mavic / @urgebikeproducts / @RockyMountainBicycles / @TitoTomasi

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