Mt. Putha Hiunchuli (Mt. Dhaulagiri VII) Expedition 7246 m

Nepal, a tiny country, nestled in the Himalayas between India and China, is one of the most diverse and fascinating countries in the world. Covering an area of only 147,181 sq. km, Nepal encompasses the world’s highest mountains and the deepest valleys as well as low elevation rain forest. Although the width of the country is only 200Km North to South, Nepal has the highest altitude variation of any country on earth, from 20m above sea level to 8848m above sea level (Top of Everest). The country is divided in to 3 elevation Zones viz. the low Terrain, the Midhill region and the High Himalayas, which contains 1/3 of the Himalayan range with 9 of the world’s highest mountains. This wide diversity of landform gives Nepal an incredible wealth of flora and fauna. Nepal is not only famous for its landscape but also renowned for the friendliness of its people. The people of Nepal are as variable and intriguing as the country’s geography. There are more than 37 ethnic groups with their own language and culture. Hinduism is the official religion, which the majority of the people practice. Many people throughout the country are Buddhist and the two religions have co-existed in harmony over the ages. A small number of people practice Christianity and Islam.

Nepal at a glance:

Longitude: 26’12’ and 30’27’ No   Latitude: 80 degree 4′ and 88 degree 12′ East
Population: 24 million
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: 147,181 sq. km.

Program detail:

We begin our expedition with a scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and to Juphal. We will trek through the exotic valley of the restricted area of Dolpo. From a village called Kakkot there are no more villages, therefore our expedition actually starts from this village. After acclimatizing and preparing for a few days in this village we set off on to a two day trek to Base Camp. Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp (4900m) is on a beautiful grassy meadow. We climb from the North side of this mountain. The guides and Sherpas will fix rope on the route and stock the camps with provisions and equipment.  We will begin our ascent progressing towards Camp I, Camp II, Camp III and make a bid for the summit.

Guides and Sherpas will carry all group gear but members are expected to carry their own personal gear.
Radios and Satellite phones will be used to co-ordinate between the climbers and the Sherpas and Base Camp to provide a safety back-up if necessary.

The Climb:

Hi On Life Adventures emphasizes on safety and at the same time help as many team members as possible reach their goal.
We ensure a cautious climbing, with excellent leadership, organization and Sherpa climbers support. We provide the best equipment available along with an excellent logistic and technical support providing `walkie-talkie` radios, satellite telephones, cooks and kitchen staff, healthy food, medical oxygen, gamow bag, extensive medical kit, top quality climbing accessories etc. that all trekkers/ climbers who has ever been on any of our Hi On Life treks/ expeditions are well versed with.

On the Mountain: We have highly experienced Climbing Sherpas, and we provide one climbing Sherpa between two climbers. Our Sherpas will fix the route, set up the higher camps, as well as carry the group equipment, such as tents, stoves, food etc. They also help with high altitude equipment transport, carrying your extra weight both up and down the mountain. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the climb.
For an additional expense, we can also provide personal Sherpa and climbing-guides to individual members who wish to have their own private Sherpa.

Cooks and Food: Our skillful and hard working cooks prepare three hot meals each day with a very healthy diet of fresh vegetables, cheeses, eggs, and fresh meat as well, tinned fruits, tinned meats and fish (all meats and fish are prepared separately out of respect for the vegetarians in our midst) and a high dose of carbohydrates from breads, rice and pastas. We have weatherproof kitchens and heated dining tents, with comfortable chairs and tables.

Please note: Any ascent of a Himalayan peak must be taken seriously. The Group leader will take all factors concerning group fitness and acclimatization, weather and snow condition into consideration when making a decision. While recognizing that this ascent is important to the group, first priority will always be safety. The decision on whether or not you will be able to attempt Putha Hiunchuli rest with the Group Leader. His/ her decision is final and must be accepted.

A Day on Your Trek

Although each day is different, considering the weather, general pace of the group and length of the days walk, in general your day begins with a wake up tea at around 6 to 6:30 in the morning. You will then be provided with a bowl of warm water for washing. Then you will need to pack your duffel bag and your day pack and come to the lodge’s dining for breakfast.
After breakfast we will hit the trail and usually walk for about 3 to 4 hours before we stop for lunch. We will give you about an hour and a half rest during lunch, which will also give enough time for the staff to have their lunch and pack. Usually after 3 to 4 hours of walking we finish the days walk by 4 PM. Tea/ Coffee and snacks will be served on arrival to the lodge. Your group Leader will often organize side trips in the afternoon. Your dinner will be served around 7 PM.

During camping at Base Camps: You will be sleeping in Tents and the food will be cooked and served in the dining tent by our staff. We will provide single tent with comfortable sleeping 3 inch foam mattress with insulated ridge mattress at base Camp. On higher camps we provide North Face VE 25 tents on twin sharing. We also have weather proof Kitchen and Dining tents with comfortable tables and chairs.  Toilet tents with sitting pot and shower tent will be provided at Base Camp.

High Altitude

On this expedition you will be climbing a technical mountain which is 7135m, so it is very important to understand the effects of altitude. The greatest provocation is going too high too fast. Hi On Life’s itinerary has been carefully designed to minimize the effects of altitude. We ascend slowly and surely allowing enough time for safe acclimatization.
Headaches and breathlessness are common at altitude which in itself is nothing to worry about. In rare cases, this may worsen to Acute Mountain sickness (AMS), so a close watch is kept on all trekkers by the group leader who is trained to recognize the symptoms of AMS which are severe headaches, nausea, lethargy, loss of appetite serious breathlessness even at rest. If any trekkers show such signs they will be descended to relatively lower and safer altitude. The Group Leader’s decision on evacuating such person to a safe altitude is final. Do not medicate yourself without first informing your group leader. Going to altitude slowly with adequate rest and adequate intake of fluid (3 to 4 litres per day), you will most likely have no problems apart from breathlessness on hills which is completely normal as the percentage of Oxygen in the air is relatively lower to that at sea level. The most important thing is not to worry about altitude because our team is there to take care of you.

Staff

Group leader: Our Group leaders are highly trained in all aspects of the trek, conservation, first aid specializing on altitude sickness, emergency procedures and have extensive knowledge of the natural history of the area.

Sirdar: His job is to manage and organize staff duties. He is responsible for the actual operation of the trek.
Climbing Sherpas: They are the key to a successful summit. They fix ropes and fix routes up the mountain. They will also carry your sleeping bags, tents and cook high altitude food up in higher camps in the mountain.

Cook: Responsible for your food. Hygiene of a high standard is taken into consideration in preparing the food.

Climbing Sherpas: Climbing Sherpas will ferry load up the mountain and establish camps. They will also fix ropes on sections where we require fixed lines and accompany you while climbing up to the summit.

Mules and horses: to ferry expedition gears to Base Camp.

Weather:

June till September

On the trek at lower altitude (3500m to 4500m) during daytime the Max temp can be around 15C to 20C and the Min temp can be 0C to 5C

During the climb: Daytime Max temp can be between 5C to 10C and Min temp can be between -8C to -15C

On your summit day: You can expect between -15C to -20C + wind chill factor depending on the wind speed

Please note that this is just general information and it could vary.

Recommendations for things you should bring:

Clothing:

Head 

• Warm hat wool or synthetic that covers your ears
• Balaclava
• Sunhat
• Glacier sunglasses with side shields, 1 pair ski goggles (optional)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions

Upper Body

• 2 cotton t-shirts
• 2 polypropylene t-shirt
• 2-3 long sleeve thermal underwear shirts, lightweight
• 2  heavy thermal underwear
• 1 polar fleece jacket
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Please note: We provide  1 very warm goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood. However, you can bring your own if you already have it.

Hands

• 1 pr. lightweight poly-liner gloves
• 1 pair mittens, consists of 1 Gore-tex over mitt matched with the very warm polar Fleece mitt liner
• 1 pair down mittens
  

Lower Body 

• 1 pair walking shorts
• 1 to 2 pair walking trousers for trekking and around camp
• 2 pair lightweight thermal bottoms
• 2 pair heavy or expedition weight thermal bottoms
• 1 pair polar fleece trousers
• 1 pair Gore-Tex trousers, Waterproof/breathable with side zips

Feet

• 1 pair climbing boot preferably for 7000m+ (you can also hire them in Kathmandu)
• 1 pair treking /walking boots with good ankle support
• 1 pair trainers, running shoes and/or sandals for Kathmandu and in camp;
• 1 pair down booties (optional)
• 2 pair heavy preferably wool socks
• 3 pair of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool
• 3 pair medium lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool

Sleeping 

• For high altitude, 1 down (duvet) sleeping bag (rated to – 20 Centigrade or -0 F)

Please note: We provide Exped down matress and kari mats (You dont need to bring your own)

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 litres)
• Small padlocks for duffel kit bags.

Please note: We provide you 2 big duffle bags.

Personal Food for camps beyond Advanced Base Camp.

We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods for higher camps. We recommend you to bring 8 to 10 packets of Turmat or equivalent quality freeze dried food of your choice of flavours. In addition, growing variety of imported foods such as cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices.

Accessories

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighter
• 1 compass or GPS
• Camera
• Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage, large Ziplocs are useful also
• 3 Water bottles (1 litre)
• 1 plastic cup and spoon
• 1 small folding knife
• Books, playing cards, ipod/mp3 player, games, musical instrument etc
• Adequate amount of batteries, etc.

Healthy and trouble free holiday

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entering Nepal. However please consult a doctor for vaccination against Typhoid, Meningitis, polio, and hepatitis. If you have special dietary requirements or allergies, please through your agent, give us a list of what you can
and can’t eat so that we can provide proper food for you.

If you are undergoing a course of prescription medicine, please ensure that you have sufficient supplies for the entire holiday. Some types of drugs including antimalarials have side affects at high altitude; therefore please consult your doctors regarding these drugs. The places you trek are mosquito free and there has been no report on malaria in Kathmandu for the past couple of decades.

Insure yourself:

Insure yourself

Hi On Life Adventures strictly follow the policy, No Insurance= No expedition! We highly recommend you to take a comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance with Rescue before leaving home. It is mandatory that your insurace covers helicopter evacuation, even above 6000 m and incase of unforeseen incident they should cover long line re

Money Matters

The ideal currency to bring with you is US$ or Euro. There are Atm machines in Kathmandu and Namche Bazaar where you can draw money as per your bank limit.

In Kathmandu: Each meal will cost around 4 to 6 US$. Plus 10 to 20 US $ for your taxis if you wish to go around the city.

On trek: you will need around 5 to 6 US $ per day. This money is for your hot showers, chocolates, soft drinks and beers etc and also for small donations in the monasteries.

Tipping

Although tipping is entirely optional and personal matter the following is recommended as a guideline

In Kathmandu: for bellboys, waiters and porters 50 to 100 Nepali Rupees

On the trek: At the end of the trek it is a customary to tip the field staff. The recommended amount is 200 to 250 US$ / member. The Expedition leader will organize that for you.

Please Note: Climbing Sherpa Bonus is extra which is 500 USD/ member as a summit bonus.

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Nepalese people treat visitors as special guests. Although they will never rebuke you publicly for unknowingly offending them, we must consider their culture.

While in Nepal please observe the following:

• Full or partial nudity is not accepted.
• Over display of affection between men and women, especially in temples and monasteries are discouraged.
• Please remove your shoes before entering monasteries and temples.
• Never point the soles of your feet at a person or shrine.
• Many Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus. Please ask before entering.
• Locals walk around the Mani walls and Stupas in a clockwise direction as a respect and they expect you to do the same although it is not compulsory.

“TODAY IS YOUR DAY! YOUR MOUNTAIN IS WAITING, SO… GET ON YOUR WAY!”
DR. SEUSS