Temperatures in October

caymann

Well, i will be doing some trekking in October (12-18) in sikkim.
I plan to do the Yuksum to Dzongri trek.

My questions are:-

1. How cold/warm it is during the trek in mid October?

2. Are the rains gone yet?

3. What is available in a Trekkers hut - a place to sleep? a place to shower?
a place to go to the bathroom? a kitchen? Should i take my backpacking tent?

4. We are indian citizens residing in the usa. Do we need any permits for this trek? I hear, indian citizens don't need such permits. Can anyone confirm this?

5. Must we take a guide? a cook? a porter? Can we go backpacking solo without these people or are we required to take them with us?

I am leaving on oct 7 from usa to kolkata, so any answers before that will be nice.

thank you

caymann

LazyGirl

I'm curious about this one too so I'm bumping the thread. This site has the temperature today in Gangtok.

somnath

Hi Caymann and LazyGirl,
As this is your common interest I thought I should post the reply once again. Caymann, thanks for your PM and please check your inbox for the reply.

I am trying to answer according to my experience:

1. We used a feather jacket and thank God we took it. Dzongri nights are really cold. Moreover you should come out from the sleeping bag at arnd 3:30 am to experience the best part of the trek – Kanchenjungha during the sunrise from Dzongri top. We didn’t have the thermometer with us so cant tell you exactly what was the temperature but it was not sub zero. Be prepare for the cold wind. This creates the main problem.

2. I do not know what is the situation this year but last year it was not there during my visit (October). Sikkim Himalaya is moist and humid and rain can be expected during any time of the year. So preparation is a must.

3. Trekkers hut – if you are traveling with the tour operators you will hardly get any chance to get a place to sleep in the hut. There are Trekkers hut at Bakhim, Soka and Dzongri. But tour operators will occupy these huts well before you manage to reach there. So a good quality tent is must in this trek. And sharing my restroom experience, please depend on open sky on the roof and the surrounding nature as the wall of your bathroom, you will be happy. Try to get up early and try to use those so-called bathrooms before the ‘rush hours’. Else, you will never be able to enter.

4. you are right, Indian citizen don’t need permit in Sikkim. Please don’t forget to carry the proof (photo identity card) of Indian citizenship (voters ID card, passport etc.). permit is required to enter the national park from the very first day from Yuksam. Local police should be informed and an NGO type organization ‘Kanchenjungha preservation society ’ or something like that will ask entry fees, camera charges etc. (don’t show them the movie cam if you are carrying). Forest department will charge you the fees for camping (tent and all). All will be done on the way, so start from Yuksam as early as possible.

5. You need everything. We were dependent on the natural stream to collect our drinking water till the end of the trek. Hope now you can imagine. If you guys are very experienced trekker and able to manage everything at your own still you need some one who knows the rout, the availability of drinking water and others. You need to carry your full ration for the trek so the experienced porters will be your guides and they will help you to cook your food.

Hope you have seen the threads where we discussed about this trail.
1. http://www.indiamike.com/india/show...ghlight=dzongri
2. http://www.indiamike.com/india/show...ghlight=dzongri
3. http://www.indiamike.com/india/show...ghlight=dzongri


If you need any info I’ll be happy to share with you. Please do not hesitate just droop a PM.

Happy traveling.
Somnath

caymann

Sleeping Bag> I plan to take a synthetic sleeping bag rated at 20F (-8C)?
Should this be enough or do i need even lower temp rated sleeping bag?

Cooking> I use a backpacking stove that can use white gas, unleaded gasoline (petrol) and kerosene.
Which of these fuel are possibly available in Yuksom?
Should i fill up in Kolkata instead? I fear if carrying fuel in trains
is illegal or could cause explosion in case of an accident or something.

Clothing> Looks like the wind is a problem. The windchill will make me feel even colder than it is. I am used to 20F temperatures in Boston but with wind it can get really bad. Any ideas on the speed/gusts of the wind?

Route> Unlike in other parts of the world, where a backpacking map is needed (and is available), do i need/get a map from the police department or elsewhere? When does the police department open/close on weekdays?
So where can i get a map?
If there is no map, aside from hiring a guide/porter, how do i navigate?
The lonelyplanet trekking books are not helping much.

Guide/Porter> Since i am carrying my own food, how does the guide/porter food + shelter situation work out? I have a backpacking tent for me and my brother. It is only a two person tent. Where does he take shelter?

Difficulty of trek> How steep are the gradients during trek? I am going to carry a 45lbs (25kg) backpack w/food, tent and other gears. I am in better than average shape.

Distance coverage> I am thinking of going from Yuksom to Tsoska in (6h) 1 day and to Dzongri (5h) in another day. I have three more days to get back to Yuksom. What can i do beyond Dzongri, but still get back to Yuksom in time? I hear, the best part is after Dzongri.

PS> All three links at the bottom of your posting is not working

somnath

Hi caymann,
Thanks for your interest.

Sleeping Bag> OK

Cooking> kerosene. Cannot carry in train. But if you try to purchase only kerosene, you will Face a tough time there in Yuksam. Only kerosene is not profitable to the shop keepers so they will force you to purchase something else. There is fixed quota for kerosene to every shop and they push other item along with it. try to collect some kerosene from Jorethang. Same problem is there but it is better to try in a bigger (compared to Yuksam) market.


Clothing> Wind is a problem. I use a windcheater over the sweater. It works. During the trek a full sleeve t shirt and the same windcheater is enough.

Route> let me know your e-mail ID, I can send you some maps (not at all authentic you can get a visual idea only).

Guide/Porter> if they are not carrying their tent, they manage to stay in the trekkers hut with other porters. And then it will be a problem if you are crossing Dzongri.

Difficulty of trek> I’ll request you to keep it under 20 KG. There are places when you will face some real tough job. Like in Bakhim, Stoka, Dewrali than (immediately after crossing Fedang). Please keep enough stock for drinking water between Tsoka and Dzongri. People will advice you that you will get it at Fedang but reality is you have to walk for 20 min other direction for that.
Moreover, there is couple of bridges called no. 1 , 2 etc. if any one of them is broken just expect a real adventure.

Distance coverage> I am thinking of going from Yuksom to Tsoska in (6h) – next to impossible. Stay at Bakhim.

1 – Yuksam to Bakhim (Kokchung will be the option if Bakhim looks impossible)
2 – Bakhim to Dzongri
3 – Dzongri to Thanshing
4 – Thansing to Bakhim / Tsoka via Fedang (you can avoid Dzongri ask your porter if he knows the rout before you leave Yuksam itself)
5 – Bakhim to Yuksam.

You are right actual beauty (to me) starts after Dzongri.

All three links at the bottom of your posting is not working > yes these are not working. You can use the search option or send a PM to any Moderator.

Or please follow this path:
India Travel Forum > Destinations > Minor Destinations > West Bengal
Himalayas: West vrs. East

India Travel Forum > Destinations > Trekking and Mountaineering
Dzongri-Goechala (Sikkim himalaya) trek


Thanks,
Somnath

somnath

Thanks for your PM, please check your e-mail acc, maps & other docs are given.

Some interesting reading:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/104101...ry_3888058.asp

- Somnath

LazyGirl

Somnath, thanks for your advice. I'm not trekking (not nearly as tough as caymann), will just be in hotels in Gangtok and Pelling and should be there next week. From what you say a sweater + windcheater should be enough for warmth, does that sound right?

somnath

Hi Lazigirl,
I’ve visited Sikkim and Darjeeling in all the seasons. In my experience Sweater & Windcheater was enough for me during mid-late October. But as you know, this cannot be generalized. So I’ll request you not to take any chance please keep heavy woolens in your bag. Temperature can fall if it’s raining. This part of the Himalaya is a bit different; you can wear any kind of warm cloths but just one extra windproof layer helps a lot.

There are many threads regarding itinerary, accommodation, and restaurant recommendation for this region. Please search with the key word ‘Darjeeling’ or ’Sikkim’.
seeking Darjeeling info and advice

Thanks,
Somnath

caymann

I just landed in kolkata...boooyyee .. it is huuumiiiiid & hot!!
Looking forward to getting out of kolkata towards sikkim where
it is dry and cooler.
Hey Lazygirl, maybe we will see each other up there....
Have fun
caymann

LazyGirl

Hey caymann, I just arrived in Bangalore from Mumbai for the work part of the trip. Flying to Bagdogra on Thursday (13th) but don't have my hotels sorted yet.

It's just rained in B'lore and it's actually a fair bit cooler than mumbai.
Have fun!
LazyGirl