चक्षु विक्रम मल्ल

It was just a random message from Shishir bro that popped up on my on facebook messanger, Paanchpohari janey ho? Without thinking more my first response was just huncha. Well , it was some weeks before the actual trekking schedule. He has planned it for the Janaipurnima. He had asked other friends too, and among them only Dharma had also agreed to join this trek. Infact, this was Shishir’s 4th trek to Paanchpokhari in two years. Paanchpokhari; the holy 5 lakes is located at the remote mountain of Sindhupalchok district north of Kathmandu below the beautiful Jugal Himal. As Janaipurnima approached near, we had few informal preparation talk and I did my final shopping a day before we were supposed to leave Kathmandu at our own shop, the Kalapathar! There were two trekking routes to choose from, one from Melamchi and another from Chautara, and we choosed the first one. Day 1: Kathmandu to Manekharka Previously we had planned to take the shorter bus route to Melamchi from the Sankhu ...

This is the Trailer video of our Panchpokhari trek, we did during this Janaipurnima. I will soon post the full trekking vlog, probably of 3 episodes. For now enjoy this trailer! This monsoon (Janaipurnima), two of us (Nagarkoti Dharma and I) buckled up for 5 days trek to Panchpokhari, guided by our own crazy fellow cyclist Shishir Raj Joshi. We started this moderately tough trekking from Melamchi bazzar and ended at Chautara on 5th day. Nestled at the height of 4100 meters Paanchpokhari ; the five holy lakes, invites some thousand of Hindu and Buddhists pilgrims annually on the day of Janaipurnima. As we were climbing the final 3 KM of ascend on our third day from Nashunpati, we confronted some thousands of descending pilgrims on the narrow rocky trail till to the lakes on misty morning. By the time we reached these five lakes, the festive was almost over with only few hundred people preparing to pack their belongings. Half an hour after our arrival eastern wind blew up the mist cl...

Days were hot, night were cooler and windy, and dusk, they were super awesome with setting sun on your work background. Bamboo Art Student Center (BASS) that was the name we gave to our project while discussing about its design at the Yellow House, Sanepa. Pronounced Bass (in Nepali) is the Nepali name for bamboo. The basic foundation Temporary Learning Center (TLC) we were going to build at Nimarchowk Lower Secondary School, Marpak was the Bamboo, that’s why we named our project the BASS. We got this design from one of our friend of Adam and Alba (our Irish and Spanish friends) Paulo. This design was jointly developed by ABARI and Learning Planet which was low cost and time efficient. Paulo supported us with the tarp to cover the roof for free. Sumira di and Verena ( a German friend) helped us to collect funds from their friends around. Women from village actively volunteered to remove the debris from collapsed school building. Diwash dai and I was in regular contact...

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...