Monday, March 28, 2016

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit (5,416masl) and Base Camp

Winter West Himalayas Self-Guided Solo Ascent to sightsee Nepal's famous trekking route
January 06 to 21, 2016

"You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things -- to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals." - Sir Edmund Hillary, first climber to reach Mt. Everest's summit

This mountain adventure is considered as my 5th major hike abroad. 

To summarize Nepal's famous 3 trekking routes (Everest Base CampAnnapurna Circuit and Lantang Valley) based on my self-guided solo winter hike adventure in comparison to each other; ​ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT (5,416masl) and BASE CAMP (4,130masl) trekking route is the mainstream trail based of its tolerable high elevation for all tourist types and can be minimized to at least 7 trekking days for ABC only. Also, trail is much scenic and somehow easy because of continuous ascent/descent trails. The Annapurna - this fascinating land of biodiversity is the largest protected area of Nepal, known as Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). Annapurna I Main is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091masl. Annapurna Circuit Trek has route total length between 160–230 km. The trek rises to an altitude of 5,416masl on the Thorong La Pass, touching the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Practically all trekkers hike the route counter clockwise (Besisahar to Manang to Thorong La to Poon Hill to ABC to Pokhara), as the daily altitude gain is slower and crossing the high Thorong La pass is easier and safer.

Please take note that I have previous hiking experience in Mt. Pulag, Philippines (2,922masl)Mt. Fuji, Japan (3,776masl)Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia (4,095masl)Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5,895masl) and the recent success of my 1st Himalayas Ascent, 18 Days Winter Solo Hike from Jiri to Mt. Everest Base Camp last November 2015. Also, I have some local minor climbs in the Philippines before I took those international treks listed above. Despite of this records, I am below average hiker because I'm always the last one arrived on every designated village.

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (Annapurna I and South)

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (Thorong La)

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (ABC)

This another race against time, Himalayas backpacking researched in somehow detailed manner has a compressed itinerary designed as follows; 



16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (permits required)

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (dal bhat meal)

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp (chicken steak)

PERMITS REQUIRED IN TREKKING ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT AND BASE CAMP:

(1) Trekker's Information and Management System (TIMS) - general requirement for all Trekkers  as approved by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Mandatory to be inspected in Besisahar Tourism Office for trek entry, Birethanti Tourism Office for trek exit and some Police Checkpoints. I did my application in NTB Office in Kathmandu same with my EBC Trek. Requirements are 2 passport photos, filled-up application form and 2,000 NPR.
(2) Annapurna Conservation Area Permit - requirement to be validated in Dharapani, Manang, Berithanti and some Police Checkpoints. I did my application in NTB Office in Kathmandu same with my EBC Trek. Requirements are 2 passport photos, filled-up application form and 2,000 NPR.

THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT AND BASE CAMP:

Peak Season is from February to May (fairly stable, dry) and September to November (occasional rains).
Off-Peak Season is from November to January (winter, dry season) and June to August (rainy season).

ADVANTAGES OF TREKKING EVEREST BASE CAMP DURING WINTER SEASON:

1. less crowd, trail is widely open for both Trekkers, locals and animals.
2. accommodation is available anywhere and some items are at low prices.
3. no photobomb and waiting time for summit mandatory photo-ops.
4. clear sky from morning until early afternoon, zero rainfall and snowfall.

DISADVANTAGE OF TREKKING EVEREST BASE CAMP DURING WINTER SEASON:

1. temperature reach down to -10'C plus windchill especially on the summit, and at night.
2. bed, blanket, jacket is moisten due to extreme coldness especially in very high altitudes.
3. drinking water will become ice at an overnight duration only even during trekking to Thorong La.
4. prone easily to sickness

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp

16 Days Winter Solo Hike in Annapurna Circuit  (5,416masl) and Base Camp

Anyways, I divided this wonderful journey into different set of posts to be more specific on its content;



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