|
The Marsyangdi rises on the northern slopes of the Annapurna
Himal, flows east through an arid valley around Manang, and then
swings south to join the Trisuli River at Mugling. Marsyangdi
means ‘raging river’ in local dialect, and this aptly describes
it. Some of the river above Ngadi has been kayaked - the 1980
British Expedition started from Tilicho Lake at4920m- but much
of the upper river should probably be considered as unrunnable.
For most of the trip from Ngadi down to Bimalnagar the river is
incised as a winding gorge in to the valley floor about 50
metres deep with sloping well wooded sides. Only a few villages
are visible from the river and at times you could almost be on a
river in Idaho or British Columbia. As the river turns fresh
views unfold behind of the Manasalu and Annapurna rangs - a
magnificnt backdrop. There are beautiful campsites. The lower
Marsyangdi gorges from Bimal Nager down the Mugling used to be
an excellent river trip but a new dam has been built own stream
of Bimalnager to generate electricity for Kathmandu and so there
is now almost no water left in this section of the river and it
can no longer be recommended. Both the dam and the powerhouse
are vital to the economy of Nepal and are sensitive security
areas. Any incident could badly rebound on other river runners
and you will appreciate why we ask you to stay away from this
lower section of the river.
|