many questions on trekking in the indian himalaya- it's gonna be my first time there

janwillem

hi there,

October the 1st I am flying in to Delhi,
My first time in India
and I really want to visit the himalaya.
I think I can afford to spend about 4 months there, so I'll fly out of Delhi on the 1st of feb.
and allthough winter is comming i realy want to spend most of my time trekking - preferably independent.

can anybody here help me with tips, recommendations on:

General guidebooks: i've seen a 2000 issue of LP indian Himalaya (as well as a footprint) , but they're 5 years old, the BIG LP is 2003, and Roughguide 2005?
wich one do you prefer?

And what do you think are the best books on trekking? will I miss out on a lot using just the LP "trekking in the Indian Hymalaya"?
The trailblazers look a lot more comprehensive, but also older. And I don't know wich one is better for me cause I don't think I want to bring my tent - so I guess I'll have to keep to the more popular treks wich have some sort of accomodation en route - hence the LP.
Are the polular tracks realy my only option for trekking without a tent?
And how popular are they now with the situation in Nepal?

And do you people have any suggestions on places to visit? since winter is comming I think if i want to go to Ladakh, i'd better do it first, and from there on make my way west. but where do i go from there? I don't have a plan, I don't think i can make one from here. but a rough idea would help.

And what about meeting up wih other people to trek with? here in NewZealand it's been pretty easy to meet other "trampers" what's it like over there?
Does anyone of you wanna join me?

And what about medical isues, do you take antibiotics and stuff with you?
and water: filter, chemical or boil?
what do you do on treks?

well,
thats most of it now,

Any help on any of these topics will be highly appreciated.

cheers

janwillem

abram

about the ladakh trailblazer just a little comment, the last edition is 2004, not so old and the most detailed in english

if you read french

http://www.olizane.ch/article.php?IDrecord=76

and for maps you can refer the following post
ladakh maps

abram

vistet

October will be cold and the high passes will be closed soon. Without a tent , good winter gear and some experience they are not to be tackled late in the year anyway, which is along with what you`ve said.

The Trailblazer guide is the best there is,in English , for central Ladakh. I´ll be posting a review soon.

The number of trekkers dwindle dramatically come October, on the other hand it should be easier to find guides. And the new maps - a blessing !- makes independent trekking easier, or makes combo solutions possible : contract a donkey man for the first days up to the pass, then shoulder your full pack going down.

There is a good water page on www.high-altitude-medicine.com
My preferences have been prefiltered (just a simple coffeefilter) + low concentration iodine, or - judgment call- sometimes straight.Thinking of buying a water filter. Source water is chu mig chu in ladakhi, a good way of asking for where to find the best water. Sometimes the source (chu mig) is marked on the maps, without translation. Tea, being boiled, is always safe.Learn to love butter tea and your social life will be richer.

I carry antibiotics, both for for the simple GE and amoeabae - luckily I´ve never had to use the later.Avoid tetracyclines because of the phototoxic reactions. Sunblock is absolutely essential to bring, even more so the moment you encounter snow. Got a painful sunburn on the inside of my nostrils one winter - remember me to bring cocktail umbrellas next time...

abram

thank's

abram

vistet

Sort of guessed that was you..