Rampur (Palpa)

Hi, sorry for the delay in posts but I have been off the beaten track for a good few days. Ok we left Pokhara and headed down to Rampur. The driving started off on good roads but steadily the roads became more and more rutted and dusty. After many hours of traveling along tracks high up on steep sided valleys we arrived at Rampur. Again I spent hours looking out of the truck window sucking up the scenery. Rampur is very much the real Nepal and gave me a true taste of Nepal (And a good true taste of Daal Bhaat which was very good every night for dinner). The days we spent in Rampur were by far the hardest but the most rewarding part of the trip so far. With early starts and long treks into untouched beauty it was brilliant. The trekking was steep and long but walking through paddie fields and small villages made hours feel like minutes. The tree where the nests were located were generally large kapok trees and some challenges had to be over come to get to the nests but wonderfull views were had from high within the trees. One of the first trees I climbed was next to a small village. The climbing was not too tricky but slowly more and more people came out to watch. I thought they were interested in what we were doing but it turned out that the tree was a secret tree. Luckily Tulsi from Bird Conservation Nepal explained about the nature of the work we were doing and everyone was supportive of the work. The people of Rampur were interested in the climbing systems we were using but very humbling was the fact that some of the trees we have climbed have been climbed many times in the past to cut regrowth for fodder to feed animals. Some of these trees had very small holds cut into the trunk and carry on up high (20 metres) into the tree. So I can imagine that most people were thinking why has he got all those ropes and fancy equipment? Things in Rampur went very well and we achieved more than we expected. Myself and Tulsi managed to catch one Vulture chick that fledged the nest when Richard climbed within feet of the nest. The Vulture chick flew across the valley to the other side. People must of thought we had gone mad as they were working hard in the fields below as we came running down the steep banks and across the Paddie fields shouting giddha giddha !! (Vulture Vulture). Every part of Rampur was breath taking and we felt like we did everything that we could achieve there. I have many photos to add but the Internet connection is slow. Again road strikes tomorrow so this will again slow us down but a well earned rest after five great days of trekking, climbing and rough roads. I am now back in Saurama where I will be for the next few days. Thanks for the comments and support, keep them coming!!. Cheers Steve