Far West Nepal

Ski Expedition to Putha Hiunchuli (Dhaulagir VII)

Expedition Putha Hiunchuli [7246m]

You love adventure and the beauty of nature?
You dream of seeing the world from high altitudes?

Then join us on our expedition to Putha Hiunchuli.

The Putha Hiunchuli, also known as Dhaulagiri VII, is the most western cornerstone of the Dhaulagiri group. The well shaped summit invites to be ascended by ski from Camp 1 (5400m).
This expedition is organized and run on behalf of the Nepal Foundation for Skiing and Snowboarding (NFSS), which aims to bring snow sports to Nepal as a recreational sport, thus opening up an additional source of income for the local population. You are also very welcome if you want to climb the mountain on foot.
The expedition will take place from 14th September 2018 to 13th October 2018. Date and overall planning are geared towards making the dream of the summit a reality.
You are interested in this expedition? You can find detailed information on the following pages – or contact us directly. We look forward to an unforgettable experience with you.
1. Contact in Europe: Florian Trittler (florian-ski@web.de)
2. Contact in Nepal: Utsav Pathak (skiguidesnepal@gmail.com)

Cost: 6500€ from Kathmandu

The entire profit, benefit the nepalese guides, the nepalese expedition helpers and the development of a snow sports culture in Nepal.

The Expedition

The goal of the expedition is the 7246m high summit of Putha Hiunchuli, the most western cornerstone of the Dhaulagiri Mountains. According to the motto “the way is the goal” we start our journey in Kathmandu.

After arriving in Kathmandu on the morning of the 15th of September, we will relax in the hotel. In the evening we will meet the other expedition participants before we complete our equipment. In the afternoon of September 16th we fly to Nepalgunj.

In Nepalgunj we will spend the night. On September 17th in the morning we fly to Juphal where we start our trek to Dunai. In Dunai, we are mentally preparing for a wonderful six-day trek to basecamp while meeting our transport support.

From September 17th to September 19th we will walk to Tarakot (2500m) and Mushi Khola (2800m) to Kagkot (3300m). Every day we will be hiking for 5-7 hours with a light daypack, covering about 500 meters of altitude per day.

In Kagkot, we change horses through yaks and continue our way to basecamp. We divide our way to the base camp (4900 m) in three stages and arrive there on September 23. If we are at the basecamp, we have managed the technically most difficult part of the expedition!

Between September 24th and October 7th we have enough time to make our dream of the summit come true. While we enjoy culinary delights in the basecamp, we undertake further acclimatization tours during the day.
As of Camp 1 (5400m) we will cook ourselves supported by our guides. From here we can also buckle up our skis or splitboards as the average inclination between Camp 1 and the summit is around 25 ° (maximum 35°). Nevertheless, climbing such a high mountain is not “easy”. A good physical condition, altitude experience and alpine climbing knowledge are required.

On the way to the summit we will build Camp 2 (6000m) and Camp 3 (6600m). In Camp 3 we will sleep only one night on the way to the summit.

At the latest on October 8th we will say goodbye to Putha Hiunchuli and start our way back to Juphal. We go back and let the expedition fade away in two longer day marches.
On the 10th of October we fly back to Kathmandu where we can relax for two days, visit the old town and celebrate our expedition to the Putha Hiunchuli with hopefully very positive thoughts.

Travel plan:

2018-09-14 departure Munich (2:40 pm)

2018-09-15 arrival Kathmandu (6:20 am) recovery in our hotel in Kathmandu, get to know the other participants

2018-09-16 domestic flight (4:00 pm) to Nepalgunj (150 m)

2018-09-17 domestic flight to Juphal (2300 m), trek to Dunai (2150 m) get to know the nepalese helpers

2018-09-18 Start of a six-day trek via Kagkot (3300 m) to the Basecamp (4900 m). During these days we acclimatize slowly. On average, we will cover an altitude difference of 500 meters per day, carrying our day luggage and admiring the beautiful landscape of the Dolparegion

2018-09-24 Within the next 14 days we move between Basecamp (4900 m) and summit (7246m), enjoy the time on the mountain and the culinary highlights our team of helpers prepares for us.

2018-10-08 Trek Basecamp – Kagkot

2018-10-09 Trek Kagkot – Juphal

2018-10-10 domestic flight Juphal – Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

2018-10-11 two days in Kathmandu

2018-10-13 departure Kathmandu (7.35 am) / arrival Munich (4.55 pm)
Cost included
The expedition is a complete package. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, we take care of you. Airport transfer and bed & breakfast accommodation in Kathmandu are included in the price. Likewise, the following services are included:
1. domestic flights in Nepal
2. accomodation (hotel and tent)
3. all meals
4. nepalese lead guide
5. additional guide per two participants
6. european ski guides
7. cook and team of local helpers
8. assurance for nepalese guides and helpers
9. tents and equipment
10. emergency medicine and communication devices
11. garbage fees
12. yaks / mulis from Dunai to Basecamp
13. all permits (climbing permits, ski permit, tims card)

Cost not included:
1.international flight to Kathmandu and back
2.visa (available at the airport, passport photo needed)
3.individual equipment and medicine
4.sleeping bag and sleeping mat for high camp
5.alcoholic drinks
6.lunch in Kathmandu
7.individual assurance
8.fees for satellite telephone

Please be aware that this is our optimal plan and that changes can be necessary. For force majeure, such as weather, flight failure etc., we cannot assume any liability.

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