Hiunchuli Expedition 6441m

A fast and light expedition-style ascent of an 6000m peak in the magnificent Annapurna Sanctuary

This is an lightweight, no frills climb of a "trekking peak" that is considered more difficult within its class. You'll need climbing experience to join this trip, and the maximum number of people will be four. Trekking into the peak with adequate acclimatization days; we'll move into the Sanctuary and set up our base camp. There will be no Sherpa support on the climb, but we'll have local porters to bring in climbing gear to base camp. You'll be expected to carry a pack to base camp, sharing the weight of climbing food and gas. You must have a very high level of fitness for this climb. Have a look at our preparations and gear page at the left, you'll need the best quality, warm clothing to enjoy this climb.

Not keen on big groups or conventional climbing expeditions? This is the trip for you!

Itinerary

We'll trek into Hiunchuli Base Camp in ten days and spend four to six days climbing. We'll trek back to the road in four days.

Day 0 - Friday 2 March 2012

Give yourself a day to recover from flights (optional, arriving tomorrow is fine but if you need to purchase clothing / gear then arrive this day).

1 - arrive Kathmandu 1400m

2 - fly to Pokhara, trek to Ulleri

3 - Trek to Ghorepani 2700m

4 - Trek to Tadapani 2600m

Sunrise on Poon Hill at 3100m, for Dhaulagiri and Annapurna views, including our mountain.

5 - Trek to Chomrong 2000m

6 - Trek to Bamboo 2200

7 - Trek to Deurali 3000m

We break out of the forest and into the mountains, the Himalaya towering above us as we move into the Sanctuary.

8 - Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 3800m

9 - Annapurna Base Camp 3800m

We'll explore the upper reaches of the Sanctuary to get some different angles of our climbing route.

10 - Trek to Hiunchuli Base camp 4600m

We'll rise early, beginning our series of alpine starts that will persist through the rest of the climbing stages. Our climbing day will start very early and probably be in camps late morning / early afternoon at latest.

11 - climb to Camp 1 5100 m

12 - rest Camp 1 5100m

13 - climb to Camp 2 5600 m

14 - summit Hiunchuli 6441m

A big day! Climbing 850+ meters at this altitude takes quite some time and effort. We'll all need to give it our best. After summit, we'll descend as far as we can into the valley.

15 - Trek to Himalaya Hotel 2600m

16 - Trek to Chomrong 2100m

17 - Trek to Tolkha 2500m

18 - Trek to Phedi, drive to Pokhara

19 - fly Kathmandu 1600m

20 - extra day

21 - extra day

22 - Depart - Saturday 24 March 2012

Highlights

+ full 6000m peak ascent

+ climbing in the Annapurna Sanctuary

+ cultural trek in

2012 Dates

2-24 March, 22 days

Cost

US$2450

* US$2250 if you book before 10 December 2011

Trip deposit: US$600

Leader

Luke Smithwick

Nepal mobile: +977 98010 16610

On trek Satellite phone: +88216 2137 0158

Arrival hotel

Hotel Shakti

tel: +977 1 441 0121

backup hotel: Hotel Thamel

Local office contact

Happyfeet Travels

Nima Sherpa

tel +977 1 442 3656 9am-6pm

Our service includes

3 star hotel in Kathmandu, with breakfast (3 nights)

Kathmandu sightseeing tour (optional)

group transportation by private vehicle

airport transfers

highly experienced western climbing guide

air tickets to and from Pokhara

entrance fees and permits

expedition-style trek and climb

all porterage on trek

all meals and hot drinks on trek and climb

climbing gear (plastic boots, carabiners, harness, mountaineering axe, helmet)

Our service excludes

insurance, Nepal visa

emergency evacuation/early departure

international flights, alcohol and soft drinks, laundry, tipping and other items of a personal nature