Stok Kangri

I am planning to do Stok Kangri this summers in jun 2nd half...I am an amateur trekker, have trekked extensively in Sahyadris but this would be my first high altitude experience...any suggestions if I plan to go to Leh alone and find a guide cum porter and equipments on rent?? Any idea about how much it'll cost assuming a 10-11 day trek including acclimatization rest days...

I remember seeing something on this on IM..did you search IM? if not some of the trekking experts can share their view..

If you go alone, a guide/cook, equipment (I'm assuming you have your own clothing), and ponies should be around 1200-1500 rupees per day. Costs will be lower if you can find at least one companion. Unless you plan to do the Markha valley trek first, it won't be anywhere near 10-11 days. If you're just climbing Stok Kangri, you'll trek to the 1st camp the 1st day, 2nd camp the 2nd day, summit 2nd night/3rd morning, and return to Leh early afternoon on the 4th day.

Will there be snow on the peak during August ?

Ronak.

thank you beklemmung and doihavetoreally I am trying to find a companion or else I have a commercial team as last option. Don't want to attempt solo as this would be my first high altitude trek.

For a first time in the Himlaya, Stok Kangri is not recommended. Would you take a first timer in the Sahyadri up Mandangad?

Do some other trek going up to 15000 feet altitude and see how your body adjusts to the rarefied air. After this you may attempt Stok kangri if you feel comfortable...

beklemmung's advice for summitting 3rd day morning is applicable to those who have completely acclimatized to Leh's altitude. I have known a person who died on the Markha valley trek coz he started trekking the very same day that he landed by plane in Leh.

Read up a few threads on acclimatization.
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Yup avid...I am going on the sarpass trek this May then Beas kund back to back wit sarpass and then after a month...an attempt on Stok Kangri after 3-4 days stay in Leh followed by markha valley trek...I guess its a workable plan...what do you say?

If you are acclimatized in Leh for four days prior to starting the trek, I feel its workable.

The cost will be nearer 2000 per day for ponyman etc. if you are alone. If two of you, then can be bargained down to 1500 per day.

In June you will certainly need ice axe and maybe even crampons on short sections. I suppose you have done ice craft before. By August, most of the snow will have melted, balance can be done on normal trekking shoes.

All the best and HAPPY TREKKING !!!

Hi Aman,

I am also seriously considering Stock Kangri & Palam Peaks around end June/ early July 2009.

I am told one cant go there before June.

If inteterested in hook up, give me your mail ID.

Shashank

Hi Shashank

I am also interested in climbing Stok Kangri, around 25th of June or so. My email id is pt@0alte0h.edu (replace 0 by c in this).

I look forward to your email.

Pratyush

stok kangri is really very beautiful place to visit in india. Thanks for this nice thread.

Does anyone on this thread have a story to tell about their recent Stok Kangri attempts? We are heading out there this weekend, and are keen on hearing about current conditions on the mountain.

Hiya...
Could u please define 'we'...?
Are u planning to do it with guides et all...?
I'm thinking of doing it this month...
Lets see how things work out...
Cheers...!

We = me, my wife, a couple of friends. We will definitely use a guide. Undecided about how much support. Plan to figure all of that out once we reach Leh (on 7th). We have about a week to plan and acclimatize.

Thanks for the help. We tried ascending Stok Kangri Jul 13-15, but were beaten back by bad weather. We spent a night at base camp, and when conditions look miserable the next day (15th) we decided to just do a short hike upto the next ridge, and then return.

Interestingly, once we got back to Leh, the weather cleared up. However we were told that those who did try to summit on the 16th and 17th found very snowy conditions at ABC and above, reducing the success rate significantly.

Would be interested to hear feedback from anyone who attempted the mountain the same week as us.

It's a bit of a shame, because outside of the days that we were on the mountain, the weather in Ladakh was terrific throughout the first half of July.

Sigh. Looks like our first ascent over 6000m/20K ft will have to wait for another day.