Sleeping bag advice for August trek?

AvidTrekker · Jun 12th, 2004, 23:07

Here is someone who did Lamayuru to Alchi in trainers :

Link : http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me... tid=0&from=4

mountaingirl · Jun 14th, 2004, 15:02

Hi Alan!

I have just MIRACLE CURE for you - the PO CHAI pills! :-)

My father's friend carries these chinese pills and whenever someone complains of anything: stomache, headache, any ache - he just gives them the PO CHAI pills! :-) I dunno if it really helps maybe psychologically who knows!

You need not worry about the temperature in Nubra valley - you are around 3000 meters. It won't go below zero - atleast I have not seen it happen.

In Sumur area (especially if you stayin those expensive 'swiss' tents), there are mosquitoes. It is a very flat land. I like the monastery in Diskit, camel breeding farm in Diskit. IF you can find the caretaker of the Royal house in Hundar, he can tell you a lot of stories about the place.

I like to see the little monks in Samstaling gompa. The Head Lama did 3 years meditation in an underground cave and is revered by the locals. Maybe you can meet him.
Don't think too much about Hot water springs...it is quite disappointing and don't even think of bathing there....

Montana, I use light trekking shoe - though some people hate the idea of tying and untying your shoes a number of times.
Also if you are going make trekking a habit then it is a good idea to invest in a good quality leather/ goretex mix boots. Whatever you buy - it SHOULD have ankle support.

Please also read CAREFULLY the advise given by avidtrekker.....well Avidtrekker! After almost losing my toes, I powder my feet regularly now. One can buy micoderm in India.

It is NOT impossible to trek in the trainers but WHY take a risk?
Prevention is better than cure

Alan D · Jun 14th, 2004, 15:32

Thanks for all the info mountaingirl. I will investigate these PO CHAI pills!

I'm really surprised to hear that there are mosquitoes in the Nubra Valley at around the 3000 metre level - I don't think I've ever seen them at that altitude before. Can I assume that they are are not malaria carrying and more of a nuisance than anything else?

The Snow Leopard Guesthouse in Hunder sounds like the ideal base for us to do some day walks, bird watching and wildlife photography.

mountaingirl · Jun 14th, 2004, 15:38

No, not malaria carrying...but take some cream or something.

Do walk through the little desert and also next to the river - away from the road. You can also walk through the village of Tigger and end up in another village - very interesting in deed.

At the Diskit monastery, if you can manage to have the guts, walk to the old water point....and let me know how it felt.

montana · Jun 17th, 2004, 19:48

Once again, thanks MG and AvidT for the solid shoe advice. Can safely say we will not hike in sneakers and we will bring talcum powder (excellent idea). THX.

IainC · Jun 17th, 2004, 22:19

You definately need a good sleeping bag when trekking in Ladakh. A down jacket would be a good idea too. In 2002, I bought an Indian Army down jacket in Leh Bazaar for Rs1200, which was well worth the money as it was basically an Army cold weather sleeping bag with sleeves. It was too bulky to actually carry anywhere and at the end of the trip I gave the jacket to my ponyman, as part of the tip.

vistet · Jun 18th, 2004, 01:00

I was expecting some gross close up of raw beef or something when I saw the trainer trekkee link...

I feel like MG and Avid .: you cant`t be too nice to your feet.

Waterproof boots , be it leather or GoreTex , is a godsend also on hot days. Aaah to stand in streaming cold water and feel my feet cool off (if not somebody is drinking downstream - that would be rude) .

As for taping , I`m a born pessimist : I tape beforehand. One long strip starting under the heel and going up on the heel tendon. Another sideways where the tendon attaches to the heel. Micropore is good because it cant give wrinkles that causes chafing. Fabric type taping will stay on better but needs greater care to put on , if necessary I cut small nicks in in wrinkle zones. The polyurethane foam dressings available in Europe are great , comes from very thin to 1.5 mm when there is a blister starting to form.

MG : what`s the deal with the water point in Diskit ?

mountaingirl · Jun 18th, 2004, 13:17

Vistet, Have you seen it? I like the location - and to walk there...just a personal liking maybe..

vistet · Jun 18th, 2004, 13:28

Havent seen it - starting to miss it now...

mountaingirl · Jun 18th, 2004, 13:45

Shit! now my whole day's spoilt day dreaming!!! Vistet, we should refrain from talking about Ladakh in the mornings....

ploma · Jul 22nd, 2004, 14:56

Hi

just let me ask some question before i leave, next friday, to India.

we are arriving to Delhi and then moving north by bus, first manali and then Leh were we will spend 2 weeks (i know it will be better to stay more time but... that's what we can do).

Once in Ladakh we want to visit Nubra Valley and some other places around Leh... what i think is that we won't have enough time to do a trek, but if we can maybe we will do a short one.

My question is about the sleeping bag. I use to travel with a little backpack and just with a cotton liner for sleeping in trains (sleeper class, never in AC) and a blanket to warm myself while traveling on the himalayas.

But the point is that if it's necessary to carry a sleeping bag for the night we will sleep on the road from manali to leh, or i can rent sleeping bags in the tents camp. Can I leave the sleeping bag home or should i carry it with me? (just attending to the manali-leh journey)

After Ladakh i'll go to visit some friends around delhi, chandigarh and Rajasthan and I'm a bit lazy to carry a sleeping bag around india just for one night... any suggestion?

Thanks for your reply

ploma

Mickey S · Apr 14th, 2007, 03:32

Anyone mind if I reopen this long-forgotten thread?

I'm planning a couple of weeks in Himachal Pradesh at the end of May and then, if the road is clear (big if!), I thought about heading over into Ladakh the first week in June. I'm not going to be hiking at all - probably travelling from Manali to Leh by jeep, and then taing public transport and stsying in reasonable hotels along the way. How cold is it likely to be in early/mid June? Will thermals, gloves, pullover and fleece be enough or do I need some serious winter gear?

vistet · Apr 14th, 2007, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey S

.. travelling from Manali to Leh by jeep, and then staying public transport and stsying in reasonable hotels along the way. ..or do I need some serious winter gear?

The hotels along the way are quite .. reasonable, if we´re talking about the tent camps in Sarchu and Pang.

They also come with with huge amount of heavy blankets, which may actually have been washed ... or not.I used my sleeping bag since I brought it along for trekking , taking one just for the tent camps is definitely overkill. The rest of the cold gear will only come in use during nights/mornings : I´d say that a balaclava , light wool gloves , fleece and a liner should be enough, use a blankie over your legs during breakfast - and be prepared to be stunned how warm it gets when the sun comes up and you´re not in shade.

Mickey S · Apr 14th, 2007, 14:19

Thanks, Vistet. And thanks for the picture - not quite what I had imagined, but hey...

My plan is to try to do the whole Manali-Leh journey in a long day by jeep, without having to stop overnight if possible. It's Ladakh that I'm interested in rather than the journey to get there. So I guess that the clothing you mention will be adequate for my travels within Ladakh. Thanks again.

vistet · Apr 14th, 2007, 14:48

Bypassing the tent camps is easier on your system since it eliminates sleeping a lot higher than Leh (Sarchu is almost eight hundred meters higher than Leh , Pang even higher) , but once you go beyond Darcha you stand a not insignificant risk of getting stuck around 5000 , and without acclimatisation to 3000+ this can rapidly turn in to a hairy experience. I´ve been stuck around 5000 twice - not an unique experience.

Try to work in a night in Keylong/Jispa/Darcha in your itinerary ,and take a day trip up to the Rothang La if waiting for your jeep/bus allows this.

Jun 12th, 2004, 23:07	#16
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,785	Here is someone who did Lamayuru to Alchi in trainers : Link : http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me... tid=0&from=4 __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Jun 18th, 2004, 01:00	#22
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 1,819	Shoes I was expecting some gross close up of raw beef or something when I saw the trainer trekkee link... I feel like MG and Avid .: you cant`t be too nice to your feet. Waterproof boots , be it leather or GoreTex , is a godsend also on hot days. Aaah to stand in streaming cold water and feel my feet cool off (if not somebody is drinking downstream - that would be rude) . As for taping , I`m a born pessimist : I tape beforehand. One long strip starting under the heel and going up on the heel tendon. Another sideways where the tendon attaches to the heel. Micropore is good because it cant give wrinkles that causes chafing. Fabric type taping will stay on better but needs greater care to put on , if necessary I cut small nicks in in wrinkle zones. The polyurethane foam dressings available in Europe are great , comes from very thin to 1.5 mm when there is a blister starting to form. MG : what`s the deal with the water point in Diskit ?

Jul 22nd, 2004, 14:56	#26
ploma uribaba Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Catalunya, Mediterranean Sea Posts: 52	the sleeping bag question in Ladakh Hi just let me ask some question before i leave, next friday, to India. we are arriving to Delhi and then moving north by bus, first manali and then Leh were we will spend 2 weeks (i know it will be better to stay more time but... that's what we can do). Once in Ladakh we want to visit Nubra Valley and some other places around Leh... what i think is that we won't have enough time to do a trek, but if we can maybe we will do a short one. My question is about the sleeping bag. I use to travel with a little backpack and just with a cotton liner for sleeping in trains (sleeper class, never in AC) and a blanket to warm myself while traveling on the himalayas. But the point is that if it's necessary to carry a sleeping bag for the night we will sleep on the road from manali to leh, or i can rent sleeping bags in the tents camp. Can I leave the sleeping bag home or should i carry it with me? (just attending to the manali-leh journey) After Ladakh i'll go to visit some friends around delhi, chandigarh and Rajasthan and I'm a bit lazy to carry a sleeping bag around india just for one night... any suggestion? Thanks for your reply ploma Last edited by ploma : Jul 22nd, 2004 at 21:29.

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Jun 14th, 2004, 15:02	#17
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	Hi Alan! I have just MIRACLE CURE for you - the PO CHAI pills! :-) My father's friend carries these chinese pills and whenever someone complains of anything: stomache, headache, any ache - he just gives them the PO CHAI pills! :-) I dunno if it really helps maybe psychologically who knows! You need not worry about the temperature in Nubra valley - you are around 3000 meters. It won't go below zero - atleast I have not seen it happen. In Sumur area (especially if you stayin those expensive 'swiss' tents), there are mosquitoes. It is a very flat land. I like the monastery in Diskit, camel breeding farm in Diskit. IF you can find the caretaker of the Royal house in Hundar, he can tell you a lot of stories about the place. I like to see the little monks in Samstaling gompa. The Head Lama did 3 years meditation in an underground cave and is revered by the locals. Maybe you can meet him. Don't think too much about Hot water springs...it is quite disappointing and don't even think of bathing there.... Montana, I use light trekking shoe - though some people hate the idea of tying and untying your shoes a number of times. Also if you are going make trekking a habit then it is a good idea to invest in a good quality leather/ goretex mix boots. Whatever you buy - it SHOULD have ankle support. Please also read CAREFULLY the advise given by avidtrekker.....well Avidtrekker! After almost losing my toes, I powder my feet regularly now. One can buy micoderm in India. It is NOT impossible to trek in the trainers but WHY take a risk? Prevention is better than cure

Jun 14th, 2004, 15:32	#18
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Thanks for all the info mountaingirl. I will investigate these PO CHAI pills! I'm really surprised to hear that there are mosquitoes in the Nubra Valley at around the 3000 metre level - I don't think I've ever seen them at that altitude before. Can I assume that they are are not malaria carrying and more of a nuisance than anything else? The Snow Leopard Guesthouse in Hunder sounds like the ideal base for us to do some day walks, bird watching and wildlife photography.

Jun 14th, 2004, 15:38	#19
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	No, not malaria carrying...but take some cream or something. Do walk through the little desert and also next to the river - away from the road. You can also walk through the village of Tigger and end up in another village - very interesting in deed. At the Diskit monastery, if you can manage to have the guts, walk to the old water point....and let me know how it felt.

Jun 17th, 2004, 19:48	#20
montana Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Paris Posts: 23	Once again, thanks MG and AvidT for the solid shoe advice. Can safely say we will not hike in sneakers and we will bring talcum powder (excellent idea). THX.

Jun 17th, 2004, 22:19	#21
IainC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 194	You definately need a good sleeping bag when trekking in Ladakh. A down jacket would be a good idea too. In 2002, I bought an Indian Army down jacket in Leh Bazaar for Rs1200, which was well worth the money as it was basically an Army cold weather sleeping bag with sleeves. It was too bulky to actually carry anywhere and at the end of the trip I gave the jacket to my ponyman, as part of the tip.

Jun 18th, 2004, 13:17	#23
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	Vistet, Have you seen it? I like the location - and to walk there...just a personal liking maybe..

Jun 18th, 2004, 13:28	#24
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 1,819	Havent seen it - starting to miss it now...

Jun 18th, 2004, 13:45	#25
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	Shit! now my whole day's spoilt day dreaming!!! Vistet, we should refrain from talking about Ladakh in the mornings....

Apr 14th, 2007, 03:32	#27
Mickey S Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cymru Posts: 1,175	Anyone mind if I reopen this long-forgotten thread? I'm planning a couple of weeks in Himachal Pradesh at the end of May and then, if the road is clear (big if!), I thought about heading over into Ladakh the first week in June. I'm not going to be hiking at all - probably travelling from Manali to Leh by jeep, and then taing public transport and stsying in reasonable hotels along the way. How cold is it likely to be in early/mid June? Will thermals, gloves, pullover and fleece be enough or do I need some serious winter gear?

Apr 14th, 2007, 14:19	#29
Mickey S Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cymru Posts: 1,175	Thanks, Vistet. And thanks for the picture - not quite what I had imagined, but hey... My plan is to try to do the whole Manali-Leh journey in a long day by jeep, without having to stop overnight if possible. It's Ladakh that I'm interested in rather than the journey to get there. So I guess that the clothing you mention will be adequate for my travels within Ladakh. Thanks again.

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Apr 14th, 2007, 14:48	#30
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 1,819	Bypassing the tent camps is easier on your system since it eliminates sleeping a lot higher than Leh (Sarchu is almost eight hundred meters higher than Leh , Pang even higher) , but once you go beyond Darcha you stand a not insignificant risk of getting stuck around 5000 , and without acclimatisation to 3000+ this can rapidly turn in to a hairy experience. I´ve been stuck around 5000 twice - not an unique experience. Try to work in a night in Keylong/Jispa/Darcha in your itinerary ,and take a day trip up to the Rothang La if waiting for your jeep/bus allows this.