Putha Hiunchuli 7246 m (Dhaulagiri VII)
Mont of the year: april-may / september-october
Duration: 30 days
Scheduled departure: see SCHEDULED TRIPS or consult Avalco Travel
It is not easy to identify, in the rugged territory of Nepal, a 7000 m peak well suited to the practice of ski mountaineering. With Putha Hiunchuli, (north side), at the western end of the Dhaulagiri range, the puzzle is solved.
The approach trek along the Dolpo valley takes several days, but it has its advantages: a slow and progressive acclimatization, the beauty of the places, and the contact with the rare inhabitants of the villages. The snow normally begins just above 5000 m, so at least 2000 m of vertical is guaranteed with skis or snowboard, on the slopes of the immense glacier of the north side of the mountain.
We expect 13 net days for the ascent to the summit and return to the base camp, with 2 or 3 high-altitude camps, including reserve days for bad weather.
The expedition was carried out for the first time in 2018 and was originated from our collaboration with the Nepalese Ski and Snowboard Foundation, which since some years has been active in promoting ski mountaineering amomng the local people and training ski instructors and guides.
This mountain is not very popular, also because it is located in a remote area, open to “tourism” since a few years; even today there are seasons where there is no active expedition in the area.
The expedition can take place both in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period, in the second case the conditions are generally more favorable for skiing.
Of course, optimal training is required, preferably at high altitudes on a glacier. This is an adventure to be lived intensely, a dream for every skier who has the ambition to fly on the light snow of 7000 meters …
Challenge: FITNESS 4 TECHNICAL 3 ADVENTURE 3
Accomodation: hotel, tea house, lodge, tents
Local transfers: domestic flights, minibus, jeep
Services included: transfers in Kathmandi from / to airport; accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu (Thamel area), Nepalgunj, and Juphal in double room with breakfast included internal flights Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Juphal and return, and related airport transfers; dinners in Nepalgunj and Juphal; transport of gear for the whole trek from Juphal to Base Camp and back (with yaks and porters); tents and all meals during the trek and stay at Base Camp; assistance from sirdar and liaison officer, trekking permit in Dolpo, royalty for ascent to the summit, special permit and liasion officer for ski expeditions, provincial tax, tourist tax; emergency communications with satellite telephone or radio up to the Base Camp; first aid kit at Base Camp.
Expenses to be paid by participants: entry visa to Nepal; any excess baggage charges on domestic flights; any extra baggage during the trek; meals not mentioned; personal equipment; summit bonus for the Sherpa (if used); tips to local staff; any permission for use of satellite and video; expenses for any rescue; expenses for any changes to the program; and anything else not mentioned as included.
Expenses to be paid by participants: entry visa to Nepal; any excess baggage charges on domestic flights; any extra baggage during the trek; meals not mentioned; personal equipment; summit bonus for the Sherpa (if used); tips to local staff; any permission for use of satellite and video; expenses for any rescue; expenses for any changes to the program; and anything else not mentioned as included.
Optional services: international flights, insurance, assistance of Avalco tour leader, assistance of an IFMGA mountain guide, assitance of a Sherpa to the summit and back (with supply of rope and other common climbing gear for progression), supply of tents, gas, and food for the high camps; program extensions or changes, single room where available; single tent in the trek and base camp; hotel in Bhaktapur instead of Kathmandu; at base camp: emergency supply of oxygen in cylinders with mask and regulator; R / T radio.
Special notes: In Nepal it is not allowed to carry out climningn expeditions as an independent organization. For logistics it is mandatory to be assisted by a local agency certified and authorized by the Ministry of Tourism. The partners we have chosen for our trips to Nepal operate with all the certifications established by the Nepalese authorities, pay taxes for the company and the staff, use certified local guides who are experts in the area, pay a reasonable salary to the staff and the related health and pension contributions, use quality gear for staff and participants, provide abundant, varied, and tasty meals, observe the rules of hygiene in the kitchen and bathrooms, observe good rules for waste disposal (which is fully returned to valley) and the best safety precautions.
Be aware: there are hundreds of agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara; however, many of them do not provide the sufficient quality standards of services, some do not have the necessary authorizations or work with falsified permits.
Be aware: there are hundreds of agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara; however, many of them do not provide the sufficient quality standards of services, some do not have the necessary authorizations or work with falsified permits.
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.
Day 2
Meeting with the staff, check and preparation of gear and equipment; possible free visit to the city (optional: visit to Bhaktapur). Dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Day 3
Transfer to the airport and internal flight to Nepalgunj. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4
Internal flight to Juphal (2300m), trek to the village of Dunai (2150m), meeting with the porters. Overnight in lodge or tea house.
Days 5-9
5-day trekking in the upper Dolpo valley, with the support of porters. Overnight stays in tents or tea houses in the villages. The slow ascent of the valley is ideal for a gradual acclimatization. The base camp is installed at an altitude of approximately 4900 m.
Days 10-24
Days dedicated to the ascent and descent to the summit of Putha Hiunchuli, with the installation of high camps. Some “reserve” days are included, even at base camp, in case of bad weather.
Days 25-26
Trek back to Juphal.
Day 27
Domestic flight Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. Farewell dinner with the group and staff.
Days 28-29
Reserve days in Kathmandu. Optionally, accompanied visits to the tourist attractions of the city and its surroundings.
Day 30
Transfer to the airport and boarding for the return flight
REQUEST INFORMATION FOR
Putha Hiunchuli 7246 m (Dhaulagiri VII)
Trip code: SP19079
Key Definitions
Trip dates, Duration, Departure
The period of time given in the trip description sheet is indicatively the most recommended for optimun conditions for the planned activities. Different periods are possible, especially during season with special climate situations. Duration is referred to the “standard” programme as per description sheet, however it could change according to the local conditions and/or the team’s requirements. If the trip is included in the Scheduled Trips list (yearly planner), the departure date is the one given in the planner; otherwise it will be decided according to the requests we have received. In any case we suggest to contact us for more precise information. In customized trips, departure date and duration are established according to customer’s request
Challenge scoring
By means of the scores given in the trip decsription sheet we wish to provide an indicative assessment of the challenges to be expected, divided in the following three categories:
FITNESS
Grade 1: adult performing a minimum sport activity (4-8 hours/week), or teenager in medium fitness conditions
Grade 2: adult performing sport activity (8-16 hours/week) or teenager in good fitness conditions
Grade 3: adult performing regular sport activity (16-20 hours/week) or teenager in very good fitness conditions
Grade 4: adult only, regularly performing sport activity and intense training (more than 20 hours/week)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Grade1: no prior experience in the activity is required, just a natural predisposition
Grade 2: prior experience in the activity as beginner to medium level
Grade 3: prior experience in the activity at medium to high level, with regular practice since min. 3-5 years
Grade 4: excellent technical skills with long experience in the activity (more than 5 years)
ADVENTURE:
Grade 1: no prior experience in adventure travel id required, just a positive attitude to adapt
Grade 2: prior, yet limited, experience in adventure travel, with a strong attitude to adapt and determination
Grade 3: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding
Grade 4: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding, strong determination to overcome unforeseen events
Accomodation
The type of accomodation as planned is indicated in the trip sheet (hotel, lodge, tents, etc..).
Transfers
The means of local transfers are indicated as planned (flight, bus, 4WD vehicle, ferry, etc.). Some changes are possible in relation to the actual availability on site and/or the terrain and wheather conditions.
Service included and Prices
We do not have a price list. Quotes are sent on request only. Details of services included, excluded, or optionally available, will be specified in the quote and confirmed at the time of booking. Prices depend on number of participants and on the specific requirements of the group. They will be definitely set at the time of booking after definiton of all trip details and confirmation of dates. Special prices can be granted according to number of participants, and/or for pre-established groups, clubs and associations, guides with own clients, active athletes, tour operators and travel agents, journalists, physicians, rescue operators, schools, staff of organization running an humanitarian or research project.