I read the report after returning from my Leh trip, and liked it even more! Very nice, detailed, sincerely written report! Look forward to reading your next one.
What an interesting story, and thanks for the detailed report and the pictures were illustrative! I'm planning to do an independent trek to Stok Kangri with my partner in early July, and your post helped boost my confidence in summitting without support. We have done many backpacking trips and easier non-technical summits in the US, and am hoping to venture into the Himalaya land.
Just some questions though, did you feel there was avalanche danger when going on the deep snowfields? and were you acclimatized before the trip (it sounds like altitude wasn't a factor at all)? Was route finding an issue or do you think something who hasn't been up the area before can navigate reasonably?
Thanks for the kind words!
I will answer your questions one-by-one:
1. There didn't seem any apparent avalanche danger. Usually, people climb by taking the ridge, and not the face. However, there was no avalanche danger on the face as well.
2. Acclimatized - Yes. We were in Leh for about 2 days, so we took hikes around town, but not at greater altitudes. Also, I know that my body acclimatizes well, in a relatively short time.
3. Well, route finding was an issue, as the guide bailed out. But, all I knew was - I have to go up this face, and the summit would be visible.
I think, if one keeps a straight line while climbing up the face, one should be OK.
However, I don't know about the "ridge route", which usually everybody takes. I don't even know how much is the exposure on the other side of the ridge. You may want to ask some more people.
But, considering the fact that a LOT of people climb it in July-Aug season, it should be reasonably fine.
Hope I have answered all your queries. Just shoot back, in case you need any further help, and I would be glad to assist you.
LoneRanger - Jul 1, 2012 7:12 am - Voted 10/10
Nice report!Beautiful pictures, and quite an interesting report.
Cheers,
Niranjan
lingana - Jul 3, 2012 2:52 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice report!Hi Niranjan:
Thanks for the kind words.
Regards
Samarth.
LoneRanger - Jun 16, 2013 7:17 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice report!I read the report after returning from my Leh trip, and liked it even more! Very nice, detailed, sincerely written report! Look forward to reading your next one.
LoneRanger - Jun 16, 2013 7:19 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice report!And here's wishing your son a Happy Birthday 2013! He must be turning eight today!
Sarah Simon - Jul 1, 2012 10:05 pm - Voted 10/10
Liked it!Thanks for sharing your journey with us! -Sarah
lingana - Jul 3, 2012 2:55 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Liked it!Hi Sarah:
Thanks for the appreciation. Your pictures and trip reports, I am sure, have a lot of "experiences" in them...worth learning lessons from.
Regards,
Sam.
pion - Mar 26, 2018 1:58 am - Hasn't voted
Detailed and information!What an interesting story, and thanks for the detailed report and the pictures were illustrative! I'm planning to do an independent trek to Stok Kangri with my partner in early July, and your post helped boost my confidence in summitting without support. We have done many backpacking trips and easier non-technical summits in the US, and am hoping to venture into the Himalaya land.
Just some questions though, did you feel there was avalanche danger when going on the deep snowfields? and were you acclimatized before the trip (it sounds like altitude wasn't a factor at all)? Was route finding an issue or do you think something who hasn't been up the area before can navigate reasonably?
lingana - Mar 27, 2018 2:51 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Detailed and information!Hi:
Thanks for the kind words!
I will answer your questions one-by-one:
1. There didn't seem any apparent avalanche danger. Usually, people climb by taking the ridge, and not the face. However, there was no avalanche danger on the face as well.
2. Acclimatized - Yes. We were in Leh for about 2 days, so we took hikes around town, but not at greater altitudes. Also, I know that my body acclimatizes well, in a relatively short time.
3. Well, route finding was an issue, as the guide bailed out. But, all I knew was - I have to go up this face, and the summit would be visible.
I think, if one keeps a straight line while climbing up the face, one should be OK.
However, I don't know about the "ridge route", which usually everybody takes. I don't even know how much is the exposure on the other side of the ridge. You may want to ask some more people.
But, considering the fact that a LOT of people climb it in July-Aug season, it should be reasonably fine.
Hope I have answered all your queries. Just shoot back, in case you need any further help, and I would be glad to assist you.
Regards,
Sam.