SUMMER 2013 : HIMALAYAN TREK & CLIMB
SPITI MOUNTAIN VOYAGE
12th JULY – 5th AUG 2013
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 an accessible peak of 6000m in altitude en-route.
The journey begins in the green and verdant foothills of Himachal Pradesh, taking the famous narrow-gauge railway to the famous hill resort and former colonial capital of Shimla. A 4 day acclimatisation trek moves from the green and verdant Bhaba valley over the 4866m Pin-Bhaba Pass to the stark arid beauty of the Pin valley in Spiti. After a day exploring Spiti (immortalised in Kipling's novel "Kim") the trek crosses the 5578m Parang La pass into the Tibetan landscape of Rupshu. Now fully acclimatised members can make attempts on neighbouring peaks. Rupshu has some of the world's highest "trekking" peaks, with dozens of 6000ers and hundreds of 5500m summits and up to four days are available for climbing exploration.
The walk out to Tso Moriri lake crosses expansive and wild landscapes peopled by the nomadic Changpa people. From Karzok jeep transport is provided down the Indus valley into Ladakh. The journey finishes at Ladakh's capital, Leh, from where the team will 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. A great objective for a first visit to the Himalaya. Trip grade: A. We are qualified and equipped to give you a chance to climb a summit with axe and crampons as well as to complete a fantastic overland journey. This is a great introduction to high altitude trekking and climbing - a real 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
Discounts available for past-clients and groups
|
6000m peaks of Rupshu from Tso Moriri lake (photo: Martin Welch)
|
Spiti 2009 Expedition: Exploring 6000m peaks around the Parang La (photo Nick Carter)
|
SPITI EXPEDITION 2009: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS LADAKH-KANG YATZE 2006 EXPEDITION Photo Album
ITINERARY (see Map below):
Fri July 12: Overnight flight to Delhi
Sat July 13: Half day sightseeing; overnight sleeper train to Kalka
Sun July 14: 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 15: 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 16: Morning acclimatisation walk to 3500m with views of Kinnaur-Kailash range; collect permits for Spiti from Rekong Peo; jeep drive to Kafnu (2350m) in Bhaba valley, 50km; camp
Wed July 17 - Sat July 20: 4 day trek over Pin-Bhaba Pass (4866m) to Sagnam in Spiti valley with possible opportunity to climb a 5000m 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 July 21: At leisure in Kaja with local sightseeing to Key monastery.
Mon July 22: Jeep from Kaja to Kibbar village (4235m) and trek to Thalta (4675m); 7-8hr, 900m ascent
Tues July 23: Trek Thalta to Boroglen (5050m) 12km, 7-8hr; 800m ascent
Wed July 24: 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 July 25 - Sat July 27: 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 July 28: Trek Kharsa Gongma to Galpe Buze (4620m), gentle valley trek down Parang Chu valley; 6hr
Mon July 29: Trek Galpe Buze to Norbu Sumdo (4540m); 5-6hr
Tues July 30: Trek Norbu Sumdo to Kyangdam (4550m); 5hr
Wed July 31: 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 1: Jeep drive to Leh, capital of Ladakh; 140km, 5-6hr; stay in local hotel
Fri Aug 2: At leisure in Leh; sightseeing; visit to Phyang monastery or rafting trip on Indus river
Sat Aug 3: Morning flight Leh to Delhi; hotel in Delhi, rest time
Sun/Mon Aug 4/5: Flights back to UK daytime Sun or overnight Sun/Mon
Acclimatisation profile: The trip schedule allows 4 nights acclimatising between 2000 and 3000m at Shimla and Kalpa – the benefits of nights spent in this zone are significant and often underestimated. The acclimatisation trek over Pin-Bhaba Pass reaches 4866m, but camps lie between 3000 and 4000m, giving graduated attunement. We then drop back to 3600-3800m in Spiti Valley for 2 nights before the Parang La trek begins. Beyond here the altitude remains above 4000m until arrival in Leh. The acclimatisation trek allows flexibility for all members to experience the altitude without major commitment and with promise of a two-night rest in Spiti valley. In this way all members should be able to adjust at their preferred rate and be in good shape for the crucial crossing of the Parang La.
Trip Leader: Alex Moran, (qualified MIA instructor, Winter ML), will lead the trip. Alex is 26 years old and was deputy leader on our expedition to Satopanth (7060m) in 2010 as well as climbing 6559m Chiring We in 2004 at the age of 17. He has worked in the family business in Scotland for 3 years and is currently undertaking teacher training in Glasgow. Alex combines youthful vigour, mountain experience, teaching ability and social talent. The benefits of having a British leader of calibre and experience are immeasurable, especially in sorting out any logistical problems and in providing the initiative and technical expertise to explore the high mountain country.
|
PRICE: £3,060 includes Return flights from UK to Delhi and from Leh-Delhi; Hotel and resthouse accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals in Delhi, Shimla and Leh; any 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. Personal Insurance. Drinks, restaurant lunches, tips are not included; Maximum Number: 10 persons Land only price (excl UK flights): £2,500
Discounts: 5% to group of 3 or more, 2.5% on bookings received before Dec 31st 2012, 5% to past Himalayan clients, 2.5% to past Alpine/Scottish course clients. Past clients who book early can benefit from a full 5% discount making the trip price just £2,900.
Booking deposit: £400 (payable by debit or credit card on our secure web booking page)
Booking Deadline: bookings must be received before 30th April 2013 in order for us to make airline and train bookings in India
|
|
Trekking towards the Ghunsarang Pass - 2009 Spiti expedition (photo: Nick Carter)
Descending from the Parang La
|
 |
PREPARATIONS AND TRAVEL
Prior Experience required for Trip: All applicants should have:
1) Prior experience trekking to 4000m altitude; and
2) Experience of walking and scrambling on snow/ice terrain with axe/crampons
Training: All members must be "hill fit" before the trip. Plenty of mountain walking with daily distances of 15-20km and 800-1200m ascent is recommended together with local training running, cycling, gym training or whatever you prefer. Those who have had a lay-off from the mountains should make special efforts to get back to good fitness. There is only limited time to acclimatise and get fit on the trek itself. 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.
Payment of Fees: To book we require a deposit of £400 together with completed booking form. You can book via our secure web-booking form with payment by debit or credit card or BACS transfer. The balance is payable on or before April 12th 2013. Please note that we charge 2% commission on Credit Card payments of the fee balance.
Permits and Visa: Tourist Visas are required for entry to India. Members must get their own Tourist Visas from their nearest India Visa Application Centre. Full details and forms are available at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. The application is made on-line and then all documents plus passport and fee can be submitted for Visa issue either by post or in person at the relevant Visa office. Foreigners require special permits for entry to the Spiti and Rupshu – these are obtained from local offices during the trek.
Equipment: Warm 4-season leather or plastic boots with overgaiters are needed for snow climbing plus lwt harness, helmet, axe and crampons. Lightweight trekking boots, a 4-season sleeping bag, a down jacket, and a large capacity rucksack (65 litres) are be the only items additional to the clothing/kit for British winter walking/mountaineering. We can rent out technical kit, and large rucksacks if required. Our Kit List gives full details.
Insurance: All team members must have Rescue, Medical and Repatriation Insurance cover. In addition, cover for Cancellation/Curtailment, Personal Baggage, 3rd party Liability and Personal Accident is strongly recommended.
UK-resident members can currently take out comprehensive Alpine/Ski insurance with the BMC www.thebmc.co.uk (2012 premium for up to 24 days £120 plus BMC membership).
Medical Preparations: We will e-mail a full medical brief for the trip upon booking. Normal inoculations are:- Tetanus, Diptheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Rabies – and can all be obtained in 3 mths before departure.
Cash requirements in India You should take c.£200 in cash to cover Drinks, Tips, Lunches and Personal Sundries plus a credit card for use in Delhi.
Flights: From the UK we book daytime or overnight flights with BA from Heathrow to Delhi.Standard flight baggage alllowance is 23kg per person plus 10kg hand baggage
References: Guidebook: Trekking in Ladakh by Charlie Loram (Trailblazer 1996/2004) available on mail order from www.cordee.co.uk ; detailed guide to Ladakh which includes some information on Rupshu
Maps: Ladakh-Zanskar: South 1:150000 published by Editions Olizane (2005): available on mail order from www.olizane.ch : excellent topographic map although many spot heights and some place-names are incorrect; GPS compatible
Leomann Trekking Maps: sheet 6: Himachal Pradesh and sheet 9 Jammu and Kashmir; 1:200000 line maps with lots of information and trek route descriptions on reverse; £6.95 each from www.stanfords.co.uk or www.cordee.co.uk
LIFE DURING THE EXPEDITION
Accommodation: Hotels with twin en-suite rooms and room service in Delhi, Shimla and Leh; on trek nights will be in tents or basic rest-house accommodation.
Load-carrying: During trek members should carry no more than personal effects and clothing (12kg max). During the climbing exploration we will have support from high altitude porters, but members may have to carry a load of 15-16kg up to a high camp.
Indian Staff: Our regular team of Indian field staff from our agents, Himalayan Run & Trek Pvt Ltd, will look after you throughout the trip - ensuring excellent meals at camp, and smooth running of travel and transport. Naveen, Govind, Heera and Mangal are tough and able characters with a sense of fun and a pedigree of 15 years working on expeditions with Moran Mountain.
Weather Conditions: In Delhi the monsoon will give temperatures of 29-35°C with high humidity and occasional downpours. Shimla may also be sultry, but once on the acclimatization trek the weather will be largely dry, as we move into the Himalayan rainshadow of Kinnaur and Spiti. The summer climate of Spiti and Rupshu is generally dry and settled with a chance of some light snowfall during the trip; there will be a large range of temperatures from +25degC by day to –10degC at night
Provisions for medical treatment: We carry a comprehensive medical kit on all our trips, and usually have a doctor or paramedic in the team. All Guides have mountain first aid certificates, and long experience of expedition ailments.
Trek Food: Our cook will provide a wholesome diet. Breakfast: Porage, Muesli, Omelettes, Paranthas, Chapatis
Lunches: Vegetable or Egg Curry, Dumplings, Puris, Chips, Pakora
Dinners: Rice/Dahl/Soya Meat Stew, Corned Beef Hash, Spaghetti Bolognese, Chow Mein, Apples/Custard, tinned Fruit, Fruit Cake
Snacks and condiments: Dried fruit, nuts, oatcakes, cheese, jam, honey, peanut butter, tinned ham, ketchup, chutney and pickle, plus fresh vegetables, spices, and eggs
Mountain Food: Members cook their own meals on any nights away from main camp. Hill food will include Soup, Fruit Drinks, Chocolate/Ovaltine, Tea, Coffee, Porage, Custard, Biscuits, Cheese, Jam, Honey, Fruit Cake, Flapjacks, Chocolate, Boiled Sweets, Tuna, Noodles, Mashed Potatoes
Tents: We can provide tents for trek on a two-person sharing basis. Members may prefer to bring their own individual lightweight tents to ensure space and privacy.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the expedition.
