Mountaineering/Trekking in Ladakh

dancar · Apr 10th, 2006, 13:50

Hi guys,

My partner and I are planning on heading to India at the end of May for 3 months to trek and climb in Ladahk area. So few queries about some things.

1. Is it possible to hire ice axes, crampons and ropes in Leh?
2. I've read some of the post about trekking solo. Are there any parts that people think a guide is absolutely necessary? We are hoping to travel solo.
3. Any recommendations for fairly non-technical peaks? I'd be interested to hear what others have done.

Cheers,
D

vinayverma · Apr 10th, 2006, 14:15

I would not be of great help here but here are my 2 cents:
1. Yes, you can hire climbing equipments in Leh, but many prefer Manali for this (if it is on your way).
2. You would be fine going solo as long as you are not too far from the villages etc. However, I would advice hiring at least one porter cum guide.

Wait for sometime I'm sure you'll get detailed and better replies. One of IMer Avidtrekker would be able to provide you with all the answers.

kolobar · Apr 10th, 2006, 15:54

Yes it is possible to hire equipment in Leh. End of May is pre-season time so there should be enough choice. Since the road may not be open by that time you will most certainly fly therefore Manaly is not the option.
If you want to go on your own get a good map/maps. The best are http://www.abram.ch/mapping/lzmap/.
There are some treks which are easy to follow and there are others which are not. But if you are happy with some explorations, route finding etc. and have some experience with it you can go without a guide. More iportant - if you want to bring climbing equipment, camping gear, food for the whole trek etc. you might consider hire a ponyman&horses to carry your stuff (portering is not common in Ladakh).
The most common peak to climb in Ladakh is Stok Kangri (6.120m) near Leh. Another popular peak is Kang Yaze.http://www.moran-mountain.co.uk/Lada...ery/index.html
There are many other peaks in Zanskar mountains and Rupshu plateau (some unnamed, some unclimbed) which you can climb. Keep in mind that for climbing peaks in India a permit is required - to obtain one is quite a procedure... But it seems generally accepted that you can climb Stok Kangri and Kang Yaze without one.

AvidTrekker · Apr 10th, 2006, 23:29

Three months is a generous time to be trekking/climbing.

kolobar has given a comprehensive answer.

The same guys from whom you decide to hire equipment will be happy to point out routes which do not require a guide.

Since you are there for so long, why don't you hire a ponyman all inclusive team in the first ten-fifteen days or so ?? You will end up with a cook, guide, ponyman, helper, all in two persons if you specify it...

After you get a gen about the place, you could strike out on your own... if you don't get addicted to piping hot meals served inside the tent

dancar · Apr 11th, 2006, 07:09

thanks guys,

good suggestions.

We're going to check out Delhi then do some yoga/meditation courses first before heading to Manali. No rush so we'll hang about until the roads do open.

we have experience with navigation etc. (you have to in Oz!!) but I like the idea of hiring a team for the first bit. Great Idea

Any idea what we'd be paying to hire ponymen etc? My budget is fairly limited.

its good to know we can climb stok kangri and kang yaze without a permit. I thought we might have left it too late as I'd heard the 'procedure' could take a while.

Thanks...

AvidTrekker · Apr 11th, 2006, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancar

we have experience with navigation etc. (you have to in Oz!!) but I like the idea of hiring a team for the first bit. Great Idea

Then you will HAVE to buy the Abrams Map suggested by kolobar. It is fairly accurate. Most maps are quite unreliable, and you would get lost in spite of your good navigation skills.

Quote:

Any idea what we'd be paying to hire ponymen etc? My budget is fairly limited.

One ponyman comes with two ponies. Charges around Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 per day [depending on season] for both ponies.

himadventures · Apr 16th, 2006, 20:46

Friends !
Climbing equipment in LEH-be careful. It is usualy very OLD...and is rented on high price and certainly NOT THAT GOOD !
They also know-you do not have any option...so they charge with LOVE !

Better take your time in making plans-you can have lot of info here BUT climbing n LADAKH...non technical...STOK KANGRI is non-technical peak. Just walk...no equipment required !

I DO NOT SUGGEST HIRING FROM LEH.

Apr 10th, 2006, 13:50	#1
dancar Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 7	Mountaineering/Trekking in Ladakh Hi guys, My partner and I are planning on heading to India at the end of May for 3 months to trek and climb in Ladahk area. So few queries about some things. 1. Is it possible to hire ice axes, crampons and ropes in Leh? 2. I've read some of the post about trekking solo. Are there any parts that people think a guide is absolutely necessary? We are hoping to travel solo. 3. Any recommendations for fairly non-technical peaks? I'd be interested to hear what others have done. Cheers, D

Apr 10th, 2006, 14:15	#2
vinayverma Maha Infrequent Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,302	I would not be of great help here but here are my 2 cents: 1. Yes, you can hire climbing equipments in Leh, but many prefer Manali for this (if it is on your way). 2. You would be fine going solo as long as you are not too far from the villages etc. However, I would advice hiring at least one porter cum guide. Wait for sometime I'm sure you'll get detailed and better replies. One of IMer Avidtrekker would be able to provide you with all the answers. __________________ If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....

Apr 10th, 2006, 15:54	#3
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	mountaineering/trekking in Ladakh Yes it is possible to hire equipment in Leh. End of May is pre-season time so there should be enough choice. Since the road may not be open by that time you will most certainly fly therefore Manaly is not the option. If you want to go on your own get a good map/maps. The best are http://www.abram.ch/mapping/lzmap/. There are some treks which are easy to follow and there are others which are not. But if you are happy with some explorations, route finding etc. and have some experience with it you can go without a guide. More iportant - if you want to bring climbing equipment, camping gear, food for the whole trek etc. you might consider hire a ponyman&horses to carry your stuff (portering is not common in Ladakh). The most common peak to climb in Ladakh is Stok Kangri (6.120m) near Leh. Another popular peak is Kang Yaze.http://www.moran-mountain.co.uk/Lada...ery/index.html There are many other peaks in Zanskar mountains and Rupshu plateau (some unnamed, some unclimbed) which you can climb. Keep in mind that for climbing peaks in India a permit is required - to obtain one is quite a procedure... But it seems generally accepted that you can climb Stok Kangri and Kang Yaze without one.

Apr 10th, 2006, 23:29	#4
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,785	Three months Three months is a generous time to be trekking/climbing. kolobar has given a comprehensive answer. The same guys from whom you decide to hire equipment will be happy to point out routes which do not require a guide. Since you are there for so long, why don't you hire a ponyman all inclusive team in the first ten-fifteen days or so ?? You will end up with a cook, guide, ponyman, helper, all in two persons if you specify it... After you get a gen about the place, you could strike out on your own... if you don't get addicted to piping hot meals served inside the tent __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

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Apr 11th, 2006, 07:09	#5
dancar Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 7	thanks guys, good suggestions. We're going to check out Delhi then do some yoga/meditation courses first before heading to Manali. No rush so we'll hang about until the roads do open. we have experience with navigation etc. (you have to in Oz!!) but I like the idea of hiring a team for the first bit. Great Idea Any idea what we'd be paying to hire ponymen etc? My budget is fairly limited. its good to know we can climb stok kangri and kang yaze without a permit. I thought we might have left it too late as I'd heard the 'procedure' could take a while. Thanks...

Apr 16th, 2006, 20:46	#7
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,069	Friends ! Climbing equipment in LEH-be careful. It is usualy very OLD...and is rented on high price and certainly NOT THAT GOOD ! They also know-you do not have any option...so they charge with LOVE ! Better take your time in making plans-you can have lot of info here BUT climbing n LADAKH...non technical...STOK KANGRI is non-technical peak. Just walk...no equipment required ! I DO NOT SUGGEST HIRING FROM LEH.

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