SUMMER 2010 : HIMALAYAN TREK & CLIMB

SPITI MOUNTAIN VOYAGE

23rd JULY - 15th AUG 2010

Join us for one of the world's great mountain journeys crossing the Greater Himalayan Range from Spiti to Rupshu and Ladakh and including the ascent of a 6000m peak en-route. After the success of our 2009 Spiti trip we are going back to explore new peaks and passes.

We begin in the green and verdant foothills of Himachal Pradesh, visiting the famous hill resort and former colonial capital of Shimla. A 4 day acclimatisation trek will take us from green and verdant Bhaba valley over the 4866m Pin-Bhaba Pass to the starky arid beauty of the Pin valley in Spiti. After a day exploring Spiti (immortalised in Kipling's novel "Kim") we make the trek over the 5578m Parang La pass into the arid Tibetan landscape of Rupshu. Now fully acclimatised we will make attempts on one or two (possibly unclimbed) 6000m peaks. Rupshu has some of the world's highest "trekking" peaks, with dozens of 6000ers and hundreds of 5500m summits.

We then walk out to Tso Moriri lake in an incredibly gaunt and wild landscape peopled only by the nomadic Changpa people, meeting jeep transport to take us down the Indus valley into Ladakh. The journey finishes at Ladakh's capital, Leh, from where we fly direct back to Delhi.

The expedition is adventurous and traverses some very remote country. However, technical difficulties are modest and the trip is recommended to fit mountain trekkers and mountaineers who have had some experience of snow terrain in the UK, and have preferably already trekked to altitudes of 4000m. Trip grade: A. This is a great introduction to high altitude trekking and climbing - a magnificent mountain odyssey.

"A truly memorable trip. It proved to be everything as promised - spectacular landscapes, unforgettable jeep journeys and superb trekking." Ian; Spiti team 2009

SPITI EXPEDITION 2009: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

LADAKH-KANG YATZE 2006 EXPEDITION Photo Album

Spiti 2009 Expedition: Exploring 6000m peaks around the Parang La (photo (c) Nick Carter)

Itinerary (see Map below):
Fri July 23: Overnight flight to Delhi

Sat July 24: Half day sightseeing; overnight sleeper train to Kalka

Sun July 25: Morning train Kalka to Shimla (2200m) - a world-famous narrow-gauge railway climbing 1600m over 60km; at leisure in Shimla, the capital of Himachal state and former summer capital of the British Raj; sightseeing walk then transfer to jeeps for 23km road journey to Fagu hill resort (2510m); hotel stay

Mon July 26: Early morning walk to Fagu temple top (2750m); then drive up spectacular Satluj valley to hill resort of Kalpa (2900m), 245km, 8hr; hotel/resthouse

Tues July 27: Morning acclimatisation walk to 3500m with fablous views of Kinnaur-Kailash range; collect permits for Spiti from Rekong Peo; jeep drive to Kafnu (2350m) in Bhaba valley, 50km; camp

Wed July 28 - Sat July 31: 4 day trek over Pin-Bhaba Pass (4866m) to Sagnam in Spiti valley with possible opportunity to climb a 5500m peak en-route; Kafnu to Mulling (3500m), 12km, Mulling to Phushtriang (4100m), 14km, Phushtriang over Pin-Bhaba Pass to Paldar (4350m), 14km; Paldar to Sagnam (3650m), 20km; 30km jeep drive up Spiti valley to Kaja (3790m) (main town, hotel lodgings); collect permits for Rupshu

Sun Aug 1: At leisure in Kaja with local sightseeing to Key monastery.

Mon Aug 2: Jeep from Kaja to Kibbar village (4235m) and trek to Thalta (4675m); 7-8hr, 900m ascent

Tues Aug 3: Trek Thalta to Boroglen (5050m) 12km, 7-8hr; 800m ascent

Wed Aug 4: Trek Boroglen over Parang La (5578m) - snow and glacier terrain - descend to Kharsa Gongma (5050m); 8-9hr, 14km; make base camp for mountain exploration

Thurs Aug 5 - Sat Aug 7: Exploration and ascents on peaks around Parang Chu valley - eg: Peak 6306m, Pari Lungbi (6166m), Chanmataran (6100m) - these are partially snow-covered summits with dry glacier on approaches; technical difficulties of Alpine F and PD.

Sun Aug 8: Trek Kharsa Gongma to Galpe Buze (4620m), gentle valley trek down Parang Chu valley; 16km

Mon Aug 9: Trek Galpe Buze to Norbu Sumdo (4540m); 5-6hr
Tues Aug 10: Trek Norbu Sumdo to Kyangdam (4550m); 5hr

Wed Aug 11: Trek Kyangdam to Karzok (4630m), 20km (jeep roadhead and monastery); 4-5hr; jeep drive to Mahe and Chumthang (70km, 4hr) (resthouse, hot spring)

Thurs Aug 12: Jeep drive to Leh, capital of Ladakh; 140km, 5-6hr; stay in traditional local hotel

Fri Aug 13: At leisure in Leh; sightseeing

Sat Aug 14: Morning flight Leh to Delhi; hotel in Delhi, rest time

Sun/Mon Aug 15/16: Flights back to UK either daytime Sun or overnight Sun/Mon; optional day trip to Taj Mahal on Mon 17.

PRICE: £2,850 includes Return flights from UK to Delhi and from Leh-Delhi ; Hotel and resthouse accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals in Delhi, Shimla and Leh; all sightseeing and motor tours in Delhi and Leh; Guiding from qualified British expedition leader; services of Cook and High Altitude Porters; all fees for Permits; Mules and porters for transport of kit through the trek; all Food on trek and use of Tents if required; plus "climate change carbon offset" levy to Carbon Footprint Ltd . Personal Insurance. Drinks, restaurant lunches, tips are not included; optional day trip to Taj Mahal on Mon 16th £80 extra. Maximum Number: 10 persons

TRIP GRADE: A (see our main Himalayan page for details of grades)

Discounts: 5% to group of 3 or more, 2.5% on bookings received before Dec 15th 2009, 5% to past Himalayan clients, 2.5% to past Alpine/Scottish course clients

Booking deposit: £300 (payable by debit or credit card on our secure web booking form)

Booking Deadline: bookings must be received before 31st March 2010 in order for us to make airline and train bookings in India

Trekking towards the Ghunsarang Pass in Spiti on our 2009 expedition (photo (c) Nick Carter)

Equipment: Axe, crampons, helmet and lightweight harness are required for the crossings of the high passes and peak ascents. We can hire these items if not possessed. 4-season leather or lightweight plastic mountain boots plus overgaiters will be suitable on this trip, plus lightweight trekking shoes. Clothing is required to withstand a big temperature range from -10degC at night to +25degC by day. Take a 45 litre Rucksack to carry plus large tough travel holdall for mules/portering.

Trip Leader: In 2009 our Spiti trip was led by Nick Carter, an MIC Mountain Instructor with long experience of leading expeditions in the Himalayan regions. Our leader in 2010 will be a qualified Mountain Guide (BMG/IFMGA) or Mountain Instructor (MIC) with similar experience. The benefits of having a British leader of this calibre and experience are immeasurable, especially in sorting out any logisical problems and in providing the initiative and technical expertise to explore the high mountain country. In event that we have more than 8 members on the trip a deputy British leader will be appointed.

Preparation and Prior Experience: The trek is largely on good trails with rougher terrain and dry glacier on the passes. The overall itinerary is strenuous. All members need to be "hill fit" with regular mountain walking days of 12-15km distance and 800-1200m ascent in the months prior to departure. Winter skills training, as offered by our Winter Mountaineer course gives necessary technical skills to tackle the trekking peaks and glacier climbing available on the trip. We also run a Pre-expedition training weekend in Scotland on 20th - 21st March when the team members can get together socially and enjoy two valuable days of experience of snowcraft and ropework (price £220 for 2 days with full-board accommodation).

Acclimatisation and Altitude Profile: The schedule allows 2 nights basic acclimatisation at 2300-3000m at Shimla and Kalpa; followed by a steady increase in altitude over 3 days to 4866m at the Pin Bhaba Pass, followed by descent to 3650m in Spiti valley, where 2 nights and a rest day are spent. The party will be well-acclimatisated for the crucial crossing of the 5500m Parang La. Beyond the pass the altitude remains in excess of 4000m until reaching Leh.

More trip details and kit list available on request