Winter temperatures started to fall rapidly in mid-December, especially at night. Lapchi monastery is located at an altitude of almost 3800 meters in the northermost corner of Nepal close to the Tibetan border. The monastery is considered to be one of the most important places in the life of Milarepa, Tibet´s greatest yogi. Lapchi has been his Himalayan paradise back in the 11th century.  
The trail through the impressive Lapchi river gorge is strenuous and filled with exposed uphill and downhill sections. In some parts, wooden ladders and hanging bridges had to be build to overcome steep cliffs and rocky obstacles.
During the severe winter, there is only one monk who is taking care of this Buddhist outpost.

The Silkroad team, including Sherpa Yangjor Lama, Michael Strohmann and Bruno Baumann, not only visited the famous Milarepa cave but also checked options to climb mountains in the Gaurishankar sanctuary. Most of its summits haven´t been ascended yet, mostly because it is difficult to approach them in a mountain region with only a few trails.