Birethanti(1025)->Ghorepani(2860)

We organize to have breakfast ready for 6:30. I am running late. Kris calls out to tell me my food is getting cold I grab my pack and head out. A dog is lying outside my door. He follows me all the way to the breakfast table and sits patiently while we finish eating and say goodbye to Kris. Almost as if sensing we are now guide-less the dog accompanies us on our journey. We pass one town then the next always our new friend is by our side. In spite of several suspension bridges which it was evident he did not enjoy he does not abandon us. We finally lose him almost an hour in, we assume he has gone with some tourists that were heading in the opposite direction.
Not long after this that we lose our morning shade and the track starts a steep climb the infamous Tikhedhungga(1520) to Ulleri(2020) steps. Thing gets marginally less steep from there to Banthanti(2210) where I meet Nick for lunch. We nap during the now anticipated hour waiting time.
The track continues on through dense forests, squeezing past enormous cows and through packs of unaccompanied donkeys. We reach the our accommodation for the night and in spite on the non-existent visibility Nick is keen to get up Poon hill(3210). By now the temperature has dropped considerably we reach the top and see absolutely nothing. Just before we start to head down a faint glimmer of mountain peeks through a hole in the clouds.