Annapurna Base Camp

Day break on Annapurna South and Fang. Annapurna Base Camp, April 2011.

Annapurna. For armchair mountaineers as well as real ones, the name brings to mind tales of heroism and tragedy. But those are often set aside by the image of one of the most formidable peaks in the world. In fact, Annapurna I (8091m) is the highest point along a 55 km barrier in the Central Himalaya that includes no less than 14 peaks above 7000m. To add to the drama, the western end of the ridge is separated from Dhaulagiri by the world's deepest gorge. The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you to the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, a place of gigantic beauty, where the Annapurna massif and the beautiful and unclimbed Macchapuchare cradle you among snowfields and glaciers. 

Gaumukh & Tapovan, Garwhal Himalaya

Shivling is the centerpiece of Tapovan. 

This was a trip that kept changing, all through the 6 months of planning, and the 10 days of the actual trip. At the end, we were tired, ill, mentally challenged by the monsoon, but richer by memories of unmatched mountain scenery.

Stok Kangri Summit Attempt, Ladakh

View of the Stok Range from Khardung La overlooking Leh and the Indus. Stok Kangri is the highest peak near the right.

Trivia:

• Stok Kangri is a peak of the Stok Range, a spur of the Zanskar Range
• At 20,135 ft, it is the highest peak of the Stok Range
• In Jul/Aug, the climb can be accomplished with 2-3 camps, and does not need technical climbing skills, though ice-axe / crampons maybe required
• Trailhead is at 12,000 ft, at Stok Village, a short 30 minute drive from Leh
• Summit views include the Karakoram, and if you're lucky, you can spot K2

In July 2009, Ranjita, Geoff, Prasad and I attempted Stok Kangri (photos). We were optimistic about our chances, thanks to the excellent weather we had experienced in Ladakh throughout the previous week, and the ample opportunities we had had to acclimatize (side trips to Domkhar, Pangong Lake, Lamayuru, and just bumming around Leh).

Goecha La Trek, Sikkim

Kanchendzonga, as seen from Lamune, on the Goecha La Trek

Introduction

This trip was about 3 months in planning, and was aimed at a trek that is emerging as one of the most popular routes in Sikkim: The Goecha La Trek (alternate spelling "Guicha La"). The route starts at the base town of Yuksom (5840 ft) in South West Sikkim, and climbs via Dzongri (13,300 ft) to Goecha La (16,200 ft), where one is within 5 km of the base of the enormous Kanchendzonga Massif (at 28,169 ft, the world's third highest peak) and even closer proximity to numerous other magnificent 7000m peaks. We planned to complete this trek over 8 days, from Nov 9 to 18, 2008, which would allow for a moderate pace. It would cover a round trip distance of about 90km. Ranjita and I had for company Prasad Naldurg and Rikin Gandhi, both experienced trekkers with very contrasting styles. We were taken care of by a very capable support team of Yangdin Subba, Buddha Bir, Shambhu, Sam Naam, and Ning Ma, all based out of Yuksom, a team assembled with the help of Mr B.S. Subba, Yuksom's Tourism Dept official.

Kuari Pass, Garwhal Himalaya

Introduction

The trek over Kuari Pass in Garwhal District of Uttarakhand State in Northern India. The trail climbs from Ghat, a small village near Nandprayag, heads directly north over several passes, the most spectacular of which is Kuari, before descending to Auli, the popular ski resort near Joshimath. It's about 70 km long, and can be done at a leisurely pace in 7 days. The highest point reached is Kuari Pass, for which elevation estimates seem to hover around 14,000 ft. Oct and Nov are recommended for clear skies.

Trekking Dates: Nov 18 - 24, 2007

Mt Whitney, Mountaineer's Route

Introduction

The "Mountaineer's Route", or the "North Fork of the Lone Pine Creek Route" is a challenging alternative route to the summit of Mt Whitney. Mahim Ranjan, Krishna Sekar, Saumya Chandra and I attempted this route in July 2005, after hiking the mountain the year before via the more popular "main trail" on an arduous 18 hour day hike.

Trivia

• Mt Whitney, at 14,491 ft, is the highest peak in continental USA
  
• Whitney Portal (trailhead) elevation: 8360 ft
  
• By measure of prominence, Whitney is the 81st highest peak in the world
• Mountaineer's Route (outbound): 5 miles
• Main Trail (return route): 11 miles
  

Photo Album

Machu Picchu Via Salkantay Pass

(Photo credits: Scott Orth)

Initial views of Salcantay and terraced slopes from our breakfast location en route to Mollepata

Introduction

The trek over the Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu is rapidly gaining popularity owing to restrictions on the classic "Inca Trail". In 2008, The National Geographic listed this route among the "25 best adventure trips in the world", and the "savvy traveller's route to Machu Picchu". Of course, Ranjita, Snigdha and I had no idea about all this, and came upon this offering from SAS travels in Cusco after we heard there was no way of getting permits to do the classic Inca Trail. We found company in Megan and Scott, a Canadian couple with clearly plenty of trekking experience behind them, Rachel, an undergrad from Brown University who was at the time, on an exchange program in La Paz, Bolivia, Stephanie and Erica, two high-energy Dutch teenagers who were each about 2 feet taller than us, and Ulrich, a funny Danish guy who was living in Argentina because "the winters are too depressing in Denmark". We "chicos" were in the able hands of Juan from SAS.

Trekking Dates: May 23-27, 2005.