TRIP FACTS
Region: Kullu Valley.
Duration: 7 Days.
Season: April & June / September & October.
Grade: Moderately Challenging / Non-Technical.
Group Size : 10 Persons.
Maximum Altitude: 5289m.
Activities: 6 Days of Hiking & Mountaineering.
Accommodations: 5 Nights In Camp.
Meals: 5 Breakfasts / 6 Pack-lunch / 5 Dinners.
Trip Begin: Manali.
Trip End: Manali.
INTRODUCTION
Friendship Peak, a spectacular mountain standing at an elevation of 5289m, is a part of the Pir Panjal range, in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. Facing several other peaks like Hanuman Tibba (5,490m), Shetidhar (5250m), Ladakhi (5,536m), Manali peak (5,735m), Makar Beh (6,070m) and Shikar Beh (6,200m), the summit of this peak offers spectacular panoramic views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges with the Beas Kund basin enhancing the beauty of the panorama. Friendship Peak has been declared a trekking peak by Indian Mountaineering Foundation for trained and professional mountaineers. The Friendship peak summit is not meant for the beginners. Trekkers must have prior experience of high altitude treks. The fitness level required for this expedition is quite high. On the route to the top you will find all mountain topographic features like moraines, glacier, crevasses & Ice Patches depends on seasons. The best months to do this trek are from May to June and September to October.
HOW TO REACH MANALI
The nearest airport serving this beautiful hill station is situated at Bhuntar. Known as Kullu Manali Airport, it is at a distance of approximately 60 from Manali.
The road instead since there are some spellbinding picturesque views en route to be enjoyed. The destination has a good connectivity by road with cities like Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh and Shimla serving as pivotal points. A number of bus services including private services like the very comfortable Volvo ply frequently from Delhi to Manali.
The closest railway station is Chandigarh (315 km) or Pathankot (290 km). You can make your travel bookings till either of these two cities and then take a prepaid bus or a cab till Manali.
DAY 01 - ARRIVE MANALI (2050M) REPORT AT OLD MANALI OFFICE.
Arrive in Manali and report at our office at Old Manali by 11:00 am and meet the rest of the team. Today it is important that your rest and acclimatize properly. We will complete a Short briefing for our upcoming expedition and complete all necessary paperwork.Friendship peak is listed as a Trekking peak by IMF the new process established by IMF in Manali region prescribes that the team provides an intimation along with copies of ID proofs of all participants and Guide. IMF has designated a regional office in Manali for trekking in the upper Himalayan stretches.
: No.
: No.
DAY 02 - DRIVE 14KM TO SOLANG AND TREK TO DHUNDI (3150M) 3 TO 4 HOURS.
A short trek following the Beas River through green meadows and the forest of Pine, Maple, Walnut, Silver fir and Oak, leads us to our camp at the meadows of Dhundi.On a clear day we get magnificent view of Hanuman Tibba 5950m, Deo Tibba 6001m & Indraasan 6223m.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 03 - DHUNDI TO BASE CAMP LADY LEG. (4573M).
Today trek to BC, which is also called as lady leg. Initially the climb will be done. First we trek through the Beas River, then climb towards lady leg. Lady leg is the steep strenuous stretch just before the BC ridge and is infamous for its difficulty. Reach at BC, rest for a while then head for an acclimatization walk.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 04 - LOADFAIRY / MOVE TO SUMMIT CAMP (4817M).
Start early after healthy breakfast towards the summit camp. Get familiar with your gears; try learning some basic techniques of climbing a peak. Half day training on use of the mountaineering equipment helps us spend some time on refreshing the skills at a moderately low altitude. This also helps overall acclimatization of the climbers.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 05 - SUMMIT ATTEMPT (5289M).
We will start early morning as the day is full of adventures. An early start will help climb better on the snow, before it melts. It will take about 8 hours to reach the summit. One can celebrate the summit once reached at the top and have a glance over the mighty peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Range. Spend some minutes at the top and climb down to the ABC.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 06 - RESERVE DAY FOR SUMMIT ATTEMPTS AND BACK TO ABC.
The day would be reserved for any bad weather situation, which will interrupt or delay the summit attempt on this day also.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 07 - BC TO DHUNDI & DRIVE BACK TO MANALI.
From BC to Dhundi would be an easy climb down to the valley via same route. Returning back to vegetation and civilization would give a pleasure to the climbers after an arduous trek. The taxi ride to Manali is waiting and back to Manali.
: Breakfast,Pack Lunch.
: No
What is included in the tour
- Equipment:
- Camping equipment up to and beyond base camp will be provided,
- Technical equipment beyond base camp to be arranged by us,
- Personal climbing equipment to be brought by climbers. Himalayan Yeti Adventure will provide climbing boots, Crampon, Ice – Axe and sleeping bags etc, however, if participants have their own gear, it is always advised to use that.
- Food:
- Food upto base camp will be arranged,
- Simple Food for higher camps can also be arranged by Himalayan Yeti Adventure for the climbers, if desired and the same to be prepared by the HAP’s, Instructors and Climbers themselves.
- Transportation:
- Food upto base camp will be arranged,
- Manali to road head (Solang or Dundhi) & back to Manali will be provided. Mules / Porters to base camp and back will also be included. We will also provide qualified & experienced guide/s, HAP’s familiar with the area and the mountain itself, as per the requirement for the expedition
- Medical:
- Only first aid will be provided upto the base camp. Insurance (medical and emergency evacuation), to be arranged by the climbers themselves.
- Rescue:
- The rescue cover will be provided by land route, in case of emergency helicopter evacuation can be made available on special request and the expenditure will be based on actual cost and advance request. The cost (At actuals) to be borne by the expedition members themselves.
- Vehicular transport from hotel to the roadhead for the trek to the base camp and back to the hotel, after the conclusion of the climb.
- Camping on twin sharing basis in 2-man tents, kitchen tent, toilet tent, camping stools etc.
- One Cook with all the necessary kitchen items, utensils etc and all food at base camp. Basic meals at higher camps to be prepared by Hap’s and members.
- Boiled drinking water during the trek to base camp and warm water for personal washing etc. in the morning.
- Wildlife / environmental Permits and other permits & Levies, wherever required.
- Permissions, Royalty and Registration.
- Liaison Officer Cost (included for foreign expedition only)
- Porterage of all the equipment / supplies/ & personal baggage of max 15 kgs per member.
- Fixed rope.
- Tarpaulin sheets for storage at Base camp and Camps 1 & 2.
- Snow stakes for the fixed rope.
- Insurance of technical staff and camp staff.
- ‘Leave No Traces’ protocol charges.
- Complimentary Oxygen cylinder/s & other apparatus till base camp.
- Good medical / first aid kit, till base camp.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any accidental, emergency, travel or medical insurance for the climbing party. It is strongly recommended that the participants get themselves comprehensively insured before the expedition.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Any and all evacuation charges (medical emergency or otherwise), or hospitalization or physicians consultation charges. Your own insurance policy should also ideally, cover this.
- Any air transfers or airfare between Delhi and Bhunter or vice versa.
- Any Surface Transfers between New Delhi & Manali and vice-versa.
- Beverages or drinks of any sort, including soft drinks, alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks or bottled / mineral water.
- Tipping of the drivers, camp staff or guides etc.
- Any photography charges or camera charges or batteries.
- Any shopping charges or transfers for personal visits to the market etc.
- Any other services not specifically mentioned in the service inclusions.
- Any charges for a manual or helicopter evacuation, in case of a medical emergency or the like.
- Any personal climbing gear or equipment, unless specified otherwise.
THINGS TO BRINGS FOR TREK :
- Headlamp. Bring plenty of spare bulbs & batteries
- Glacier glasses (w/ side covers or wrap around). 100% UV, IR, high quality optical lenses designed for mountain use
- Ski Goggles, 1 pair. 100% UV & IR.
- Warm synthetic/wool hat.
- Bandanas (2). Used to shade your neck.
- PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
- Expedition Backpack. 3,500 - 4,000 cu. In.
- Trekking Backpack. 2,000 - 2,500 cu. in. (Optional)
- Sleeping Bag. (Expedition quality rated to at least -20°F TO -40°F
- Self Inflating pads (2). Two 3/4 or full length pads. Make sure to include a repair kit.
- Closed-Cell foam pad.
- Sunscreen. SPF 40 or better.
- Lipscreen. SPF 20 or better.
- Water Bottles: 2 to 3 Wide mouth bottles with minimum 1 Litre capacity per bottle
- Water Bottle parkas for the big bottles.
- Toiletry bag.
- Pee Bottle (1 Liter). Large mouth, clearly marked water bottle for use in ten
- Pee Funnel (for women).
- Camp Knife or Multi Tool.
- Thermos.
- Trash Compactor bags (4).
- Camera gear.
- Compression Stuff Sacks.
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT
- Ice Axe w/Leash. General mountaineering tool. Sizing is important: under 5’7” use a 60cm tool; 5’7”- 6’1” use a 65cm tool; over 6’1” use a 70cm tool. (Too short is preferable to too long). Make sure you have a leash that is designed for use on a glacier axe. Please no technical leashes.
- Crampons. With “step in” bindings and flat rather than “cookie cutter” frame rails anti balling plates OK. Keep in mind that ice specific crampons are for technical ice climbing and are not recommended for glacier travel. Anti-balling plates (optional).
- Alpine climbing harness. Harness should fit over all clothing, have gear loops, adjustable leg loops and be reasonably comfortable to hang in. Make sure you can get into the harness without having to step through any part of it.
- Carabiners (3) Locking; (3) Regular. 2 Twist lock & 1 small screw gate locker; 3 standard ovals recommended..
- Climbing helmet. Alpine climbing helmet with sizing adjustments.
- Ascender (1). One right or one left.
- Rappel/Belay device.
- Prussiks. Or bring 40 feet of flexible 6mm accessory cord to make into prussiks.
- Adjustable 3 Section Ski or Trekking poles. Optional but highly recommended. Helpful for non-snow covered ascents and descents if you have knee problems.
- Hand wear
- Lightweight Synthetic gloves. 1 pair. Should fit comfortably inside mitts or gloves. Lighter capilene preferred.
- Heavyweight Synthetic/Soft Shell gloves. 1 pair.
- Expedition Shell Gloves w/ insulated removable liners. 1 pair.
- Expedition Shell Mitts. 1 pair. Should be big enough so that synthetic gloves fit inside pile liners.
- Hand warmers and Toe Warmers: Bring 3 sets of each.
FOOTWEAR
- Light hiking boots or trekking shoes. For day hikes and trek to Base Camp
- Tennis shoes or low top shoes. For international travel and town days. Optional.
- Booties. Optional.
- Camp Boots. Optional. Insulated boot for Base Camp.
- Double Plastic Climbing Boots w/ altitude liners. Good quality plastic shells with inner boots. Avoid tight fit with heavy socks.
- Fully Insulated Overboots. Not needed with Millet Everest or Olympus Mons Boots.
- Gaiters. Not needed with One Sports or Olympus Mons.
- Trekking Socks. 3 pair.
- Wool or Synthetic Socks. 4 pair heavyweight wool or synthetic socks (wool is warmer) to be worn over the liner socks.
- Liner Socks. 4 pair of smooth thin wool, nylon or Capilene to be worn next to the skin
- Vapor barrier socks. Optional. Helps reduce moisture buildup in your boots, also keeps your feet a little warmer.
TECHNICAL CLOTHING
- Lightweight Long Underwear. 2-3 pair tops & bottoms.
- Heavyweight Long Underwear. 1 pair. Expedition weight Capilene. (Alternative: a one-piece suit)
- Lightweight Nylon Pants. 1 -2 pairs.
- Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt. 1-2 pairs.
- Synthetic/Soft Shell Jacket.
- Insulated Synthetic Pants. Full separating side zippers.
- Down Pants.
- Expedition Down Parka. Fully Baffled, Expedition Weight.
- Insulated Synthetic Jacket. Optional. Allows you to leave your down parka up higher on the mountain as we establish higher camps.
- Hard Shell jacket w/ hood. We recommend a waterproof breathable shell material with full front zipper, underarm zips, and no insulation. This outer layer protects against wind and rain.
- Hard Shell Pants. Waterproof, breathable. Full length side zippers
- The list we’ve provided is only a guideline. Everything mentioned here is required. It’s your choice regarding the brand. However we suggest you to purchase from best brands available so that it makes your climb safe and comfortable.
