Two Day Horse Trek: Day 2

continued...

OK!
One of the hundreds of Buddhist tablets I mentioned in the previous post...
We visited before setting off over the mountain..

It wasn't the most comfortable night as we fought to "hold our ground" on a diagonal campsite!  Some of our horses had worked themselves free and needed to be located and caught. (Not by us thankfully)  I'm amazed how "easily" you can find a trio of fugitive horses in such open spaces.  (Looking back, they probably knew the challenges awaiting them-perhaps I might have absconded too had I known!!!).  It's true what they say about one step at a time because its the only way I managed to climb up over the mountain and back down the other side. 

The course was very steep going, both up and down. I found it more of a challenge to descend, feeling I might careen over the horses head at any moment! It wasn't too far fetched to think/feel that maybe nobody had ever been that way before. A few times we found our intended route impassable and had to go back down or climb back up and find another way.  A few times I was thinking, maybe we shouldn't have attempted the shortcut home! :D
It was a real trail blazing adventure!

At times those damn trees were so closely spaced there was no room for hanging limbs either side of the horse's belly. For the most part you could shove the trunk aside to avoid impact but every now and then there were long "animated" outbursts as someones knees /shins connected with an unyielding tree. 

Slowly getting higher...

The terrain required some serious bushwhacking at times.

Half way up! But still high

Finally we reach the top and we seem to be higher than surrounding mountains.
Glorious view with a wonderful carpet of wild flowers.

Once on top it was time to enjoy the view, rest the horses and take the obligatory photo.

Sure is a long way down. We were thwarted a few times, once by a sheer drop. Eek!

Saddles need to be adjusted for downhill trek

It was a steep descent. Baggi was constantly casting a watchful eye :D

At times it was simply stunning...

sometimes lush and green...

other times flanked by rock walls.

This place was so steep we had to get off and walk the horses down.
I found this challenging and was grateful we only had to do it once.
I know you're thinking that doesnt even look steep-very deceiving picture!

Almost down. 

Looking back.

Back where we started - river crossing.
Baira (driver of the support car) and friends are there to greet us and take snaps. 

What an extraordinary experience and a great accomplishment.
I can't wait to do it again!

Hope the horses enjoyed it too!
Here they are having a much deserved roll in the grass as soon as they got home.
(Much better than a roll in the river which my horse was setting to do with me on it!!)