चक्षु विक्रम मल्ल

I was on a week long trek along the Karnali river for EIA survey of purposed Karnali Highway with a friend Nitesh Khadka. Our journey started from Jiteghat, Kalikot and ended at Rugin, Bajura (Humla border). One of the least developed and still untouched by the road, our 100 KM journey along the Karnali river to this region was one of a kind. Spot the train! I mean Mule train. They are the basic goods carrier of this region. Looking for something down? For sure this trail is not for the fainthearted. A local guy walks along the sketchy section over Karnali supported by woods. Nitesh bro crawling cautiously down the rocky trail of Ranga Gaunda, Bandhu Bajura. Bajureli attire, an old man on traditional dress. This old man returning home after visiting relatives in Nepalgunj. He took a RA flight up to Kolti, Bajura and now walking back home (Rugin) with his son. Its a two day walk for him from Kolti. Nitesh bro with locals at J...

A lady sporting on Goldstar shoes walks down Nanikot villageBajura. Fragile Karnali, a village bisected by a stream by the edge of Karnali river. Human powered ambulance!Locals carry patient to hospital on foot. Bandhu, Bajura. A 52 year old man carries improved cooking stove donated by NGO weighing 35 kilo along Ranga Gaunda an infamous single trail craved literally over  Karnali river on vertical cliff. Here ends the life two fish, the Karnali way. In Karnali, green is the rarest color. A typical Kalikot village near the Bajura border. A man smokes pot, Nanikot Kalikot.

This January I had a chance to visit infamous Thawang of Rolpa District. One of the most heard place during 10 years Maoist insurgency.The stronghold of Magar community was the epicenter of the insurgency. Thawang was also the highlight of CA election 2070 because the entire Village Development Committee boycott it. Chilly Thawang   The Northernmost part of Rolpa is still a day hike from the nearest motorable road. So, it was not an easy journey, had to change the vehicle twice. The bus ride to Sulichaur from Kathmandu was one of a kind. Stinky bus,small seats and passageway cramped with luggages. Transport syndicate at its worst! But the jeep ride to the last motorable place, Fuliban went well. A day hike for the local turned two for us. And, we were stopped by the snowfall for 6 hours next day at Mayakharka. Crystal clear sky after snowfall at Mayakharka After the split of UCPN-Maoist in 2012, Thabang currently is the majority of CPN-Maoist (Hardliner faction/B...

"Bhai, I have a work for you", said Sahasnath dai an EIA consultant, "this time for Dhankuta and Sankhuwasabha". Well, I was more than happy to accept this job, an EIA surveyor for roads. He gave me survey map previously done by the engineers. This time I have to survey two roads one from Dhankuta another from Sankhuwasabha. Sahasnath dai called the engineer who is working on this road and gave me the idea how to get there. First, I have to finish the Dhankuta road.  Early morning at Bhedetar from Charles view point. After a bus ride of more than 15 hours I reached Bhedetar on a sunny morning.This small town on hill was the place where my survey should begin. Charles View point was the first thing that came on my mind upon reaching Bhedetar. It was a really cool view, 360 degree view of Mt. Makalu, Dhankuta, Terathum and the plain Dharan town.  Bhedetar as seen from the road to Rajarani. According to plan I should have hired a motorbike fro...

Four of us, Pramesh dai, Diwash dai, Nivesh and myself got ready for ABC trek. We left Kathmandu on October 11. We picked our one foreign friend from Pokhara and headed to Phedi on a cab. We were lucky, cab driver was damn funny always cracking non-veg jokes and within no time we reached Phedi. At Phedi, before starting the trek. This was the place our trekking should began. According to our itinerary we have to reach Pothana on same day. But, we only reached up to Dhampus(1650m). We found a good lodge there and had a good time with Machapuchhre, spent hours clicking the beautiful peak! After watching the good sunrise and having a quick breakfast we started our trekking. Today's destination was Chomrrong. A very good morning at Dhampus. Diwash dai was carrying a SLR camera, so he was little slower then us. Nivesh was our time keeper, we bought a map for him at Dhampus tourist check point. His guesses about our speed were matching correctly! Pramesh dai was natur...

Yesterday around 10 AM Shardool bhai called me on cell. We had planned for short mountain bike trip for Pharping Hattiban, a popular hiking and biking destination on Southeast of Kathmandu valley. Finally we headed towards the south at around 1 PM. Narrow road, hurrying jeeps and buses it was tough ride although the road was tarred until we caught the off road to Hattiban. It was a tough uphill on stone paved jeep track. But we were used to with that kind of uphill. We stopped on several places for the photo shoot. It was fun filled trip. The Crash Site visited today. While returning back we took the same track until a recently made stone steps. We followed the new track until and joined with the Dakshinkali highway. It was downhill up to the Taudaha. Due to the last night rain road was slippery on Hattiban section because its always covered with the trees. We were gaining speed, I took the lead. We entered the Hattiban section. After few minutes it must be BANG!!! I got an acci...