Stok Kangri (6153 m) in India
In August 2014 I ascended my first and only trek above 6000 m (so far). I went with Exodus on this trip. Great guide from Nepal (Ngima Sherpa).
We stared with a couple of acclimatation days in Leh (3500 m). I liked the town/city. Nice to walk around and small acclimatisation trip possibilities to stupas and monasteries. One day we went on a drive up to Khardung La at 5602 m on one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Think everyone felt dissy up there due to the altitude and we did not stay very long since it is very smart because of the sudden addition of around 2000 altitude meters. But I think it is very smart to go on this trip to prepare.
Trekking day 1
Drive and short trek to camp in Choksi (3210 m).
Trekking day 2
To Choksi Drok (4200 m)
Trekking day 3
Trek to Kang La (4900 m)
Detour up to 5056 m.
Trekking day 4
Kang La (5260 m), Palam Peak (5380 m), Ganda La (4970 m) and camp at the base of Ganda La.
Trekking day 5
Stok La (4900 m) and camp in Mankarmo (4380 m)
Trekking day 6
To Stok Kangri basecamp (4968 m). This place has a “shop”. You get Snickers, Coke, Beer (do not recommend drinking beer at this altitude).
Trekking day 7 – climb Stok Kangri (6153 m)
Very long day. But we had great weather and no old snow on the top so no need for ice axe and crampons. You cross a small glacier on your way but they did not put us in ropes so I guess it was pretty safe at that time. But I will assume you need sometimes. And on the top some parts were narrow so Ngima put us in a rope the last part even if it was now snow or ice. Maybe because it is very likely that someone is not feeling good at this point or are having trouble with the altitude. But it was ok in this conditions. With ice and snow I think I would have felt a little unsafe and would have wanted the rope.
The day is very lang and hard, but I did not feel the hight as bad as I did when I went up to Mt Kilimanjaro. Probably because the route was very well designed to get well acclimatised (gives the days available).
Walked for around 14 hours I think.
Trekking day 8
Descent through Mankarmo to Stok and then a drive to Leh. Very tired and happy to get to Stok and have a beer.
MORE INFO SOON.
