We were lucky enough to hike the EBC in November 2019 before Covid locked us all away from the world. We expected to have returned for other adventures before now and still hope to do so later this year or maybe next year.
When Della was in Namche she bought this yak bell as a ‘souvenir’ something which would make the place ‘come again’ which can only work if you carried it from there in your pack – which she did (the not so ultralight hiker).
Of course in the absence of yaks it fails to ring out around our hills as the bells did in Nepal, and whilst I guess we could tie it around the neck of one of our sheep they may not appreciate it – preferring as they do to go au naturelle. I have been wondering how I could make it sound for Della, and today in between working on tractor implements I have a device which works quite well – in Tyvek of course!
Naturally this is a prototype and will be further refined in silnylon. The bell itself has started to rust so it will need to be treated with something to preserve it – however I thought you might like to hear the wind gently blow the striker and ring the bell. It sounds very like the yak trains which I have added below as well for comparison.
I experimented with heaps of different ideas till I got where I am here: two pieces of shaped tyvek suspended on fishing swivels and with a small fishing sinker taped to one side of the bottom one to create a little more eccentricity of movement. It sounds in the slightest breeze – and may well eventually drive us nuts!
Chimes quite delightfully I think.
Here is what the yak bells were like for comparison (south of Namche) where we stayed for two lovely nights at the Benkar Guest House (first on the left going up) with the delightful Neema Sherpa back in 2019.
Our bell on the verandah rings a bit more like the donkey bell here. Oh well.
As soon as we are able to travel to Nepal once more we will go back and will walk some of the EBC again, staying at the same places we did before (in simple tea houses with friendly Sherpa people). We may fly in to perhaps Phaplu and walk up to Namche then maybe do several short trips around there eg to Thame then fly out once again from Lukla.
Della really did love those mountains – and particularly Namche which she wants to spend more time in and around. On my first trip I spent a pleasant afternoon walking around ‘village’ trails in the vicinity of Lukla. I think these side trips are the best part of the experience. You need to get away from the ‘bus tour walkers’ and wander about quietly by yourself if you are really going to enjoy the experience.
Tip: Many people think a hero is someone who goes out and fights to defend his country (his family & etc) and I do not doubt that for a minute. However there is another sort of hero which you would do well to emulate, and that is one who busies himself making his wife’s house and garden as pleasant as she could wish. NB The advice in this post So What is Still Good and Cheap?
More EBC memorabilia for your delight:
EBC Starting Out Kathmandu to Lukla
EBC Days 4 & 5 Onwards and Upwards
Preventing Batteries from Going Flat at High Altitudes
From my previous trip, see:
I Saw Below me That Golden Valley
My Life Was Wide and Wild and Who Can Know My Heart
