Best time for Chulu Peak Climbing
The best time for climbing the summit of Chulu Peak are Spring and Autumn seasons. However, the Winter season (December, January, and February) is also a great time for Chulu West peak climbing if you are well prepared for the cold weather. The views of the mountains are crystal clear and routes are less crowded making the perfect time for climbing Chulu West Peak.
The Spring season falls in March, April, and May and the autumn season falls in September, October, and November. The seasons are characterized by stable weather conditions, including clear skies, mild temperatures, and low precipitation chances. The views of the surrounding mountains, landscapes, and valleys are also at their peak in these seasons making a more enjoyable and memorable climbing experience.
The Summer/Monsoon season which falls in June, July, and August is not recommended due to harsh weather conditions and heavy rainfall. Similarly, climbing is also not recommended in this season as there is a high risk of landscapes, avalanches, and weather-related hazards.
It is important to note that even in the best seasons for climbing, the weather can be unpredictable at higher altitudes or in the Himalayas. So climbers should always be prepared for changing weather conditions and bring appropriate gear and equipment.
Preparations
Climbing the summit of Chulu West Peak is not easy, requires a good level of physical fitness and strength. You have to build your stamina, and positive attitude, and set your body and mind for the trek. Any kind of aerobic exercise like long hiking, cycling, and long-distance running should be done before 3 months from the beginning of your trip. For making the trip successful, be prepared well with the packing gears and the equipment required for mountaineering. You have to take the training to use mountaineering gears such as crampons, ice axe, and ropes.
Packing List
Proper mountaineering equipment and gears are essential to make the Chulu West Peak Climbing successful.
A backpack to carry all the essential equipment
Warm and Waterproof Jacket
Warm mountaineering boots with a good ankle support
Crampons
An ice axe for balance and support in the event of a fall
Climbing rope for safety and support on steep terrain
Climbing harness
Climbing helmet
Carabiners
Ascenders and Descenders
Sunglasses and sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn
Clothing items like liner socks, trekking t-shirts, short sleeves, thermal underwear, fleece sweaters, trekking socks, pants, a pair of gloves, a down jacket, and a sunhat.
Note: We provide all the gear and mountaineering equipment required for trekking and climbing expeditions.
Acclimatization
The high altitude of Chulu West Peak adds technical challenges for climbing. Every trekker and climber must acclimatize properly to adjust to the low oxygen level to minimize the risk of high altitude sickness. This involves gradual ascent, rest days, proper hydration, and consumption of nutrition to adapt to the high-altitude environment. As per the planned itinerary, we have two days of acclimatization at Manang (3,351m/10,914ft) on the 6th day and the high camp of Chulu West Peak (4,900m/16,090ft) on the 9th day. We take proper rest and let our bodies adjust in higher altitudes also the training for mountaineering usages of mountaineering equipment training will be provided to climbers on the rest day at the high camp of Chulu West Peak.
Summiting Day
The most important day where you reach the top of the Chulu West Peak - the final destination of the journey. Before climbing, you go through the weather pattern to know whether the weather condition is favorable or not. After the training for Chulu West Peak climbing given by the mountaineering guide, the climb ascends toward the summit passing rugged ice terrains. From the top of the summit, the views of the stunning mountains and the landscapes below you are mind-blowing. The achievement of reaching the summit after training, and a long day of hard trekking - the feeling is indescribable. On this day, you walk around 10 hours from the base camp to the summit and descend back to the base camp. The trekking on this day is quite challenging but reaching the goal is the most pleasure and unforgettable moment of a lifetime.
Permits
Chulu West Peak climbing requires three types of permits which are mentioned below:
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit
Peak climbing permit from NMA (National Mountaineering Association)
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for climbing the Chulu West Peak. Anything can happen in the Himalayas regardless of your physical fitness, experience, preparations, and confidence. Before purchasing the travel insurance, make sure the insurance policy covers all the facilities which includes medical expenses, helicopter evacuation, repatriation, trekking, and climbing. It is advised to have the assurance that covers trekking or climbing activities up to 6,500 meters. Getting travel insurance means getting personal security for climbing so that you can complete your journey with peace of mind and worries.
Guide and Porters
To conquer the summit of Chulu West Peak, highly professional guides and porters are crucial. Guides are knowledgeable about the route, terrain, and weather conditions and provide guidance and instructions on climbing techniques, and the use of equipment while climbing. Guides will ensure your safety throughout the climb and will be a perfect companion for a journey by providing support and assistance and also helping to remove language barriers with the local people.
Porters are the persons who will carry your equipment, luggage, and backpacks so that you can have a comfortable climbing journey. They can carry up to a maximum weight of 10 to 15 kg of baggage items.
Responsible Tourism
We Bold Himalaya conducts a trekking or climbing expedition focusing on the principle Leave-No-Trace. While trekking, it is our responsibility to protect nature, local cultures, traditions, and customs and support their beliefs. We heartily request our clients to leave nothing except footsteps, the pristine remain untouched or unharmed focusing on the preservation and well-being of the community.
Drinking Water
Safe drinking water is available in the tea houses and the lodges throughout the trekking trail. They offer mineral water, bottled water, or boiled water for the trekkers for some extra charge. It is recommended to carry 2 or 3 water bottles for refilling purposes. Drinking water can be available through natural water resources like taps or springs but make sure to use a water purifier before drinking.
Food and Accommodation
There are various tea houses and lodges that offer basic accommodation facilities such as a twin-sharing room with attached bathrooms, beds, pillows, blankets, bed sheets, and mattresses. Tea houses and lodges offer local cuisines (Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari) with a shared dining table for all trekkers staying in the same tea houses.
On the day at the high camp of Chulu West Peak, accommodation takes place in a tent, and food is cooked by the cook hired by the company.
Other Facilities
ATM and Money Exchange
You can easily find ATM and money exchange facilities in Kathmandu Valley as well as in the city nearby Syange. Before starting the trek, you need to withdraw enough money and carry Nepali Rupees as no ATM and money exchange facility is available at the higher altitude.
Electricity
Teahouses along the trail offer electricity facility to the trekkers, where you can charge the electronics or electrical appliances by paying some additional charges. No electricity facility is available at the high camp, so it is advised to charge fully all your electrical appliances or carry power banks.
Mobile Networks and Internet
In city areas or lower altitudes, you can get access to mobile networks by using Nepali sim Ntc and Ncell. The internal facility is offered in all the teahouses through the WiFi router to the climbers.
On the day of summiting Chulu West Peak, the internet and mobile networking facility may not be available as you are walking around the Himalayas for around 10 hours.
Altitude Sickness and its Preventive Measures
Chulu Peak Climbing, the journey leads up to an altitude of 6,419 meters/21,059 feet. Long days climbing in the Himalayas at low oxygen levels and high atmospheric pressure, the possibility of altitude sickness may come into existence for climbers. To avoid altitude sickness, it is essential to prepare abundantly which includes training, acclimatization exercise, and proper guidance.
The symptoms may include Nausea and Vomiting, headache, insomnia, and reduced performance and coordination. To prevent altitude sickness, stay hydrated, avoid smoking and alcohol, maintain a slow pace while trekking, focus on climbing high sleep low, and consume a high-calorie diet.
