Trek to the MILAM GLACIER + NANDA DEVI (East)

Hellow,

With 3 friends from BELGIUM I plan to make a trek to the MILAM CLACIER and the NANDA DEVI in OKTOBER 2005. We are about 50 years but all in a good physical condition. We want to start in MUNSIYARI.

We would be very pleased to get some information by this forum.

First we are looking a guesthouse at Munsiyari.
After one night we would like to start with the trek who will take 13 days. We liked to follow the road to the Milam glacier and afterwards to the Nanda Devi Base Camp and also further on to the Traill’s Pass and/or Longstaff Coll with the schedule as follows :

Day 1 to day 3 Munsyari via Ralam to Birjeganj Dora pass (east of the main path)
Day 4 To Burphu (north of Martoli)
Day 5 To Milam Glacier
Day 6 Back to Martoli
Day 7 To Nanda Devi BASE CAMP

If our physical condition and the weather are good:

Day 8 To Traill’s Pass - Longstaff Coll ?
Day 9 to day13 Alternative path (to the South) via Dwali, (and further to the East) to Namik and to Munsyari.

If our physical condition/ or the weather is not good:

Day 8 to 9 Stay at the base camp and surrounding
Day 10 To Martoli
Day 11 To Mapang
Day 12 Raurgari
Day 13 Back to Munsyari.

Afterwards again one overnight at the guesthouse in Munsiyari.

Concerning the guiding of the trek :
We would like that someone could guide us. Perhaps we only need a specialised guide from Martoli to Nanda Devi base camp and further on to the Traills Pass - Longstaff Col (and not for the first days).

We would like our luggage (4 rucksacks) to be carried by mule (pony) or are there any alternative solutions. We presume that the people who are taking care of the mules and the luggage can guide us during the major part of the trek and cook the meals.

We will bring our own tents to save weight (and money…).

Please let us know your suggestions. Does anyone know prices expenses for such a trip (guide, combination with cooking, mules ... porters).
Also the prices for the two overnights (including mail) and names of good guesthouse are welcome.

Can anyone give us the right information about the special PERMIT for this trek (it is a bit confusing)?

I already got a very interesting reaction of KAUSHIK, member of this forum.

Kind regards.
In the name of all four.

Dirk
BELGIUM (EUROPE)
E-mail : dirknadine@pandora.be

Hi Dirk,

You've read the description I gave of the 'standard' Milam trek on the trekking forum at IndiaMike (here: The Milam glacier teahouse trek - the details) - basically that's all I know about it! I hear the trek west from Martoli is difficult - see if AvidTrekker can advise you about it.

Some more pointers:

Perhaps post this question in the Trekking forum rather than in destinations for better replies

>guesthouse at Munsiyari.
The Hansling is fine. Find the details about it in Indiamike's fabulous hotel listings (http://www.indiamike.com/india/listi...ing&listid=265)

>Perhaps we only need a specialised guide from Martoli to Nanda Devi base camp

I think that's right - your trek up to Milam and to Martoli is relatively easy...
Contact the Hansling for this - they are friendly, used to trekkers and have the local contacts. I think you could arrive, arrange and meet the guides there, do the stage to Martoli yourself and then meet the guide at Martoli for the next stage. Leave an extra day somewhere for unforseen circumstances...

>Can anyone give us the right information about the special PERMIT
No permit needed for the normal up-down trek to the glacier - I think that you only need one if you plan to go further northeast (= towards China), so this would not affect you. When I asked them, they said that if you stay below the glactier it's no problem. To be sure ask at the police post, in the bungalows across the road from the Hansling hotel, and ask at the hotel too.

Hope this helps, Jeroen.

check out www.kmvn.org

Hello Dirk,
We also are planning to trek to Milam and to N-D E B-C (Nanda Devi East Base Camp).
We are 2 people - Husband (Uzi) and wife (Tali).
Our schedule is: Start from Munsiyari on Sept. 30. Trek for 11 or 12 days.
We prefer to join a group - mainly because we do not like the idea that there will be a whole team (of guide and porters) just to support the two of us.
If you think that we can team up - please respond to us.
UziTali

Hello UziTali,
Nice to hear that you also go to Milam Glacier and the Nanda Devi East Base Camp.
Our group of 4 persons will only start a week later than you. Perhaps we will see each other on the road.
Greetz
Dirk

Hello UziTali

My husband and I are shopping around for an organized trek too... we were thinking perhaps early Oct. but our dates are flexible, we hadnt quite decided on one yet, waiting to check out all the replies from the companies....

Could you PM me with the details of the trek, and the company you've chosen etc perhaps we could chat and consider joining up

You can come to PINDARI from MILAM side-you have to have a good guide for this as this route is not well marked.
FORGET negotiating TRAIL's PASS- I have been to PINDARI GLACIER 10 days back and by watching the glacier and erosion coming to it.year by year ....it is more exposed and dangerous than we used to consider few years back.

Still want to try ? Get good climbing equipment then...I do not suggest to say 'hello' to a glacier with heavy creavasses...without proper equipment and experience.
Incase you find yourself in fog,storm or heavy snowfall......you may find yourself in thick SOUP.

SUGGESTION: Either come back from NANDA DEVI "E" camp...same route...OR try to get to PINDARI GALCIER ..this route opens up at ZERO POINT.

Heading to Traill's Pass 5,212 m (17,100 ft)) a high altitude technical mountain pass through the Himalayas located between Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks. In the Uttarakhand state in the districts of Pithoragarh and Bageshwar August 2012. Planning and preparation is on.Interested be free to contact me for details @ changuch@gmail.com

Trails pass has seen some high altitude action in recent past where both Indians with limited exposure and limited equipment and Europeans with very good equipment and considerable experience faced mountain with courage and valor but could not do much due to 'x' factor nature and mountain enjoys over we humans !!

If you are reaching from Zero Point side- you have to have a ladder with good mounting with ice pittons. And If you reach from back and want to crosseover- again I think you need a ladder as crevasse is too wide to handle....

In nutshell- experience , speed and accuracy of execution will be major factor on trail pass.

It is definitely something i had at the back of my mind. Though Aug 12 is still far away to confirm anything, but I do have more than a passing interest. Your name suggests, you know mountaineering - do you think a non-mountaineer can do this under guidance.

Met a guide in Khati village (runs a dhaba) who claims to have done Nanda Kot and takes people to various camps at a reasonable cost. Are you planning on taking a guide?

Traill's Pass is really difficult. It is literally a expedition involving Long walks on snow..rapelling, climbing.One should be ready to overcome all difficulties above 5000m.Max 08 members in the team and members should meet the requirement.
Mail me @ changuch@gmail or call me on +9740360365

@Summiteer - I am working towards that but maybe too early to join the group. Doing Goecha La in Nov, Har-Ki-Dun under snow in Jan, Hamta Pass - Baralacha La and Friendship peak in May. I guess, only once i am done with these, can i aspire for real expedition kind of treks!