How late is too late for HP?

sticky · Mar 24th, 2005, 10:41

Hi all

How late in the year is too late to visit HP?

From all the research I have done on this site, and others, the consensus seems to be that the beginning of October is when some places start to become inaccessible, and it’s really hard to determine what places will be unless you know the geography of the area.

Our original plan is to head north from Delhi, then do an anticlockwise loop around HP, roughly: Shimla -> Kinnaur -> Lahul & Spiti -> Kangara etc etc, but we may have to delay our trip by 3-4 weeks, is this going to cause a problem?

What would be your suggestions for a route at that time of year?

I know it’s hard to say when winter is going to set in and make things difficult. I guess what I'm most worried about is setting off on a huge journey and finding the route blocked ¾ of the way along and having to backtrack, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Yetijuice · Mar 24th, 2005, 11:22

The Indian Army will use snowplows to keep Rohtang Pass open through the end of October. The first significant snowstorm in November will close the pass for the winter. To be safe you should be on the Kulu Valley side of the pass NLT October 31st. If you want to chance being later than that you should pack a shortwave radio so that you can get daily weather reports.

If you want to swim at Chandratal, trek there in July or August. By mid-September it can be cold at Chandratal. I trekked into Malana Valley and went over Chandrakhani pass down to Nagar during the first ten days of November. Admittedly that is not a remote trek. I finished my Zanskar/Ladakh hikes by the end of September. October trekking there is feasible for experienced hikers.

Alan D · Mar 25th, 2005, 16:31

Your timing seems to be borderline for this route but weather conditions vary from year to year so it might be possible.

Are you hiring a vehicle or travelling by local bus or taxi?

If you're starting off from Shimla you will have to check that the Kunzum La (4551m) and Rohtang (3978) passes are open. If they are closed, you could still go to Kinnaur and Spiti as far as Kaza or Losar, but you would then have to backtrack down the Sutlej Valley to Sainj.

From there, hopefully the Jalori Pass (3223m) will still be open and you would be able to go Banjar-Largi-Kullu-Manali. If this pass is closed you will have to go to Mandi and then up the Kullu Valley to Manali.

There should be no problems going from Manali back to Mandi and onward to Dharamsala and Kangra.

himadventures · Mar 27th, 2005, 20:59

Allan is right and so is yeti..

I would say do not take chance with passes-a little bit of weather play...and you will be in soup.

I hope this will not dampen your spirits and you will be having options for planning !

sticky · Mar 29th, 2005, 05:07

Thanks guys.

It wont dampen my spirits, dont worry. We will be in india for at least 6 months, so im sure that there will be plenty to see and do, even if we do miss some of HP.

are the Kunzum La and Rohtang passes highlights do you think? Will we miss alot if we have to leave them out?

himadventures · Mar 31st, 2005, 06:37

i do not think so-SHIMLA can help you in making a good plan bt just take care...it was me who said 'concrete jungle' and it hurts him....
HP is a huge state with lot of variations in culture language and topography.
You will definately love this state which is one of the top 3 beautiful states of INDIA.

SHIMLA · Mar 31st, 2005, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by himadventures

i do not think so-SHIMLA can help you in making a good plan bt just take care...it was me who said 'concrete jungle' and it hurts him....
HP is a huge state with lot of variations in culture language and topography.
You will definately love this state which is one of the top 3 beautiful states of INDIA.

Hey himadventures !

Nothing personal, so please don't misunderstand ! You have every right to voice your opinion and as long as there are no personal attacks and use of foul language, differences of opinion are welcome !

InsideTheOutdoors · Nov 5th, 2005, 15:56

Hello IM'ers,

Would December (2nd week) thru Jan (1st week) be a good idea to hike / trek around Alone in HP...
I still haven't decided on any concrete route but after browsing thru these forums, think will do a Kullu - Malana - kasol - Kalpa- Manikaran circuit before retiring to Dharamsala for 2 or so months....

(I dont' even know if the places are logically close to each other or trails exist ... so pls help...

)

Also noticed a lot of safety issues w.r.t. cops / dealers etc around Kasol etc posted in these forums... Is this true?

I have travelled solo earlier this year in Uttaranchal / Manali / Delhi / Garhwal but didn't come across any unwanted events... (fingers crossed).

Preferably if anyone has been to any (or all) of the above places in December time, I would love to hear from them.

All suggestions welcome... Thankszz

Go Ahead.. Get Outta Your Bed... And Make your Own Day... Everyday.!

jyotirmoy · Nov 5th, 2005, 16:26

Snow fall is already reported from the upper reaches of HP. An early winter is predicted so plan your trip accordingly.

Mar 24th, 2005, 10:41	#1
sticky Dismembered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: I dreamed, I quit, I left..... now finally in India :) Posts: 318	How late is too late for HP? Hi all How late in the year is too late to visit HP? From all the research I have done on this site, and others, the consensus seems to be that the beginning of October is when some places start to become inaccessible, and it’s really hard to determine what places will be unless you know the geography of the area. Our original plan is to head north from Delhi, then do an anticlockwise loop around HP, roughly: Shimla -> Kinnaur -> Lahul & Spiti -> Kangara etc etc, but we may have to delay our trip by 3-4 weeks, is this going to cause a problem? What would be your suggestions for a route at that time of year? I know it’s hard to say when winter is going to set in and make things difficult. I guess what I'm most worried about is setting off on a huge journey and finding the route blocked ¾ of the way along and having to backtrack, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ ->->->->->->->->->->->->->->->->->->->-> Flashpackers: Backpackers doing it in style.

Mar 25th, 2005, 16:31	#3
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,869	Your timing seems to be borderline for this route but weather conditions vary from year to year so it might be possible. Are you hiring a vehicle or travelling by local bus or taxi? If you're starting off from Shimla you will have to check that the Kunzum La (4551m) and Rohtang (3978) passes are open. If they are closed, you could still go to Kinnaur and Spiti as far as Kaza or Losar, but you would then have to backtrack down the Sutlej Valley to Sainj. From there, hopefully the Jalori Pass (3223m) will still be open and you would be able to go Banjar-Largi-Kullu-Manali. If this pass is closed you will have to go to Mandi and then up the Kullu Valley to Manali. There should be no problems going from Manali back to Mandi and onward to Dharamsala and Kangra. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

Mar 27th, 2005, 20:59	#4
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,070	How Late It Could Allan is right and so is yeti.. I would say do not take chance with passes-a little bit of weather play...and you will be in soup. I hope this will not dampen your spirits and you will be having options for planning !

Nov 5th, 2005, 15:56	#8
InsideTheOutdoors Highway Hermit and the Invincible Shutter Speed Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 89	Is December Late?? Hello IM'ers, Would December (2nd week) thru Jan (1st week) be a good idea to hike / trek around Alone in HP... I still haven't decided on any concrete route but after browsing thru these forums, think will do a Kullu - Malana - kasol - Kalpa- Manikaran circuit before retiring to Dharamsala for 2 or so months.... (I dont' even know if the places are logically close to each other or trails exist ... so pls help... ) Also noticed a lot of safety issues w.r.t. cops / dealers etc around Kasol etc posted in these forums... Is this true? I have travelled solo earlier this year in Uttaranchal / Manali / Delhi / Garhwal but didn't come across any unwanted events... (fingers crossed). Preferably if anyone has been to any (or all) of the above places in December time, I would love to hear from them. All suggestions welcome... Thankszz Go Ahead.. Get Outta Your Bed... And Make your Own Day... Everyday.! __________________ "Live, Love, Shanti, Shiva

Nov 5th, 2005, 16:26	#9
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,319	Snow Snow fall is already reported from the upper reaches of HP. An early winter is predicted so plan your trip accordingly.

Mar 24th, 2005, 11:22	#2
Yetijuice Old Trekkers Never Die, They Go Over the Next Pass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, California Posts: 174	The Indian Army will use snowplows to keep Rohtang Pass open through the end of October. The first significant snowstorm in November will close the pass for the winter. To be safe you should be on the Kulu Valley side of the pass NLT October 31st. If you want to chance being later than that you should pack a shortwave radio so that you can get daily weather reports. If you want to swim at Chandratal, trek there in July or August. By mid-September it can be cold at Chandratal. I trekked into Malana Valley and went over Chandrakhani pass down to Nagar during the first ten days of November. Admittedly that is not a remote trek. I finished my Zanskar/Ladakh hikes by the end of September. October trekking there is feasible for experienced hikers.

Mar 29th, 2005, 05:07	#5
sticky Dismembered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: I dreamed, I quit, I left..... now finally in India :) Posts: 318	Thanks guys. It wont dampen my spirits, dont worry. We will be in india for at least 6 months, so im sure that there will be plenty to see and do, even if we do miss some of HP. are the Kunzum La and Rohtang passes highlights do you think? Will we miss alot if we have to leave them out?

Mar 31st, 2005, 06:37	#6
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,070	i do not think so-SHIMLA can help you in making a good plan bt just take care...it was me who said 'concrete jungle' and it hurts him.... HP is a huge state with lot of variations in culture language and topography. You will definately love this state which is one of the top 3 beautiful states of INDIA.

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