High Skies of Langtang

2025 January 1
It was around 12:30 in the afternoon of April 21, 2024. My research colleagues and brothers Ashish dai, Rupak dai, and I were walking along the ridge of Langtang Khola, carrying all our camping gear like modern-day explorers. Our journey had begun at 4 AM from Kyanjin Village after a night of hailstorm and rain that had cut our previous research short. The cliffs near the valley were as unwelcoming as a cat at bath time—steep and treacherous. "Did we sign up for a survival reality show bhai?" Rupak joked as we stumbled in the darkness. The cold wind slapped our faces, and my dry, painful lips felt like I had kissed a glacier. Despite the discomfort, we pressed on, determined to reach our destination.

The first big challenge of the day after walking hours in the dark was crossing a glacier-fed river. The water looked like liquid ice, and stepping in felt even worse. "Let’s wear socks," suggested Ashish. Genius! The socks acted as a barrier, but once we reached the other side, our feet were frozen stiff. "Whose brilliant idea was this again?" Rupak quipped as we warmed our feet on a portable gas stove. The sunrise painted the frost-covered thorny bushes like glittering diamonds, and the wilderness ahead promised untold adventure.The river crossing was just the beginning. The trail ahead was a mix of icy patches, loose rocks, and narrow ledges. Every step required focus and teamwork, but the breathtaking views made it worthwhile.
As we trekked deeper into the untouched terrain, I remember we talking about the Himalayan Black bear one of the top predator that thrives in Langtang National Park and we came to a point where we agreed Bear of Nepal generally don't hibernate because of Human Bear conflict during the hibernating months in western Nepal where Bear has been raiding home during winter time. It was spring season and every species are active. Ashish suddenly froze. "Something’s moving," he whispered. Was it a bear? A wild predator? We held our breath, ready for anything with multitool and bamboo stick in our hand.

"It’s... a yak?" Ashish laughed nervously. It wasn’t a wild yak, as he excitedly claimed, but a domestic one that had wandered off. We burst out laughing. "Just because it doesn’t have a bell doesn’t make it wild!" Rupak teased as we snapped photos.
Wildlife wasn’t limited to yaks. We spotted marmots peeking out from their burrows and colorful pheasants darting between shrubs. Each encounter added a layer of magic to our journey.

The Bearded Vulture

Our journey continued through challenging terrain until we spotted a massive bird soaring above Baden Powell Peak. "That’s a bearded vulture!" Ashish exclaimed. Watching it glide effortlessly was magical. We spent hours scanning cliffs for its nest, hoping to document a significant find.
Finally, as we were about to give up, Ashish shouted, "There it is!" A hollow in the cliff stained white with droppings revealed the nest, decorated with colorful scraps of plastic scavenged by the bird. It was a thrilling discovery that felt like unearthing treasure.

"Imagine the stories this bird could tell," Rupak said, his eyes fixed on the nest. "Surviving in these harsh conditions is no small feat."

The Journey Back
As we crossed the glacier river again, more confidently this time, the sun felt warmer, and the journey back to Kyanjin Village seemed less daunting. Over dal bhat that evening, we celebrated our success. The day’s exhaustion faded as we shared stories and laughter.Rupak raised a toast with his cup of tea: "To adventure, and to socks that save our feet!"

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” This quote by John Muir perfectly summed up our adventure. Langtang wasn’t just about finding a bird’s nest or spotting a yak; it was about the journey, the challenges, and the shared moments that made it unforgettable.