We went to bed early knowing that we had a very long hike the next day. We selected our picnic lunch from the hotel menu and were informed that an Aman guide would join us as well since he was very familiar with area trekking. Our guide Sangay was very concerned about grizzly bears in the forested area. The Aman guide Singay did not seem very concerned but we did have a large hunting knife to protect us in case of trouble. In Bhutan, no living creature is ever killed as it goes against Buddhist teachings. Beef, poultry and fish are all consumed but the killing is done by Indians living in the country or imported from elsewhere. I am not sure what Sangay was planning to do if we came across a bear since he had no intention of hurting it. Hmmmm.
We put on our gators, hiking boots and took our hiking poles to hit the muddy trail. We did run in to some natives who were collecting herbs found at higher altitudes for medicinal purposes. Marijuana does grow freely all over but I was told that the Bhutanese do not smoke it. Rather hard to believe. We did not see any bears and so the day was a safe success.
This challenging 7 hour hike offered less in terms of views but more the feel of a pilgrimage. The trail climbs from an elevation of 9,190 ft up to the pass above Tharpaling at about 11,820 ft. After climbing through the forest, you then reach the pass and can continue downwards from one sacred site- Lancy Goemba - to the next including Choejedrake -one of the four holy cliffs.
Choejedrake is said to look like a stack of books and also like a hanging monastic robe. It is believed to hold 22 kinds of hidden treasures with a door at the foot as the entrance for persons to the hidden land.
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