A Short Wintry Walk in Kashmir

New Year Trek 2023: Marchoi, Kashmir

I am planning a short trek in Kashmir to welcome and embrace the New Year 2023. It is known as the Marchoi trek as the highest point of this trek is the Marchoi Mountain (3200m). However, the same peak is also referred to as the 'Shadimarg top.' This trail has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the winter, because of its splendor and ease of access. I chose this trail not only to curate a ‘winter wonderland’ experience, but also to present the trekker the unparallel taste of standing atop a summit. The trail is neither long nor difficult, making it ideal for first-timers. It is only 18 kilometers long and we will be dividing the distance over three short hiking days, ensuring that your time in the snow is enjoyable rather than punishing.

I have always preferred small groups on Himalayan treks in order to leave minimal impact on the environment. In this trek I am hoping to build a team of 6-8 members and not more. It is in this connection, I would like you to know that our little team will be an independent team and will not be tagged with other groups, which is a normal practice over there. I would also like you to know that yours will be a full service guided trek. Meaning, from the time we pick you up from the airport, we will make sure you have everything you need- all your food, shelter, transport will be taken care of by our local partners and you will be escorted both by local guides and a seasoned mountaineer, i.e. yours truly. To me your safety and satisfaction matters above everything else.

Please feel free to email or call me if you have any questions regarding the trip. My contact detail is given at the end of this document. Here is a highlight of the trip:

 Duration: 5 days, 4 nights, total distance to be covered on foot: 18 kms.

 Trek Grade: ideal for beginners

 Altitude range: 2128m to 3200m

 Overnight shelters: Home stays, tents and a hotel in the end.

 Dates of departure: January 7 and 14, 2023. Cost: INR 19500/ per person

Price includes: airport transfers, private transport to road head and back, 1 night in a hotel in Srinagar on full board, 1 night in a home stay, and 2 nights in tents. All group camping gear like- tents, mats, sleeping bags, guide, support staff, first aid kit, and oxygen cylinder.

Price excludes: your flights/transport to Srinagar, personal insurance, tips, alcoholic drinks, any expense of personal nature

 Email: anindya.adventuremania@gmail.com

Image courtesy: Adil

Comments

Sundardhunga Khal – The Goddess Keeps her Secret

Sundardhunga Khal – The Goddess Keeps her Secret George W Rodway and Anindya Mukherjee The Sundardhunga Khal and our route of attempt in 2015 The History Locating a practicable route into the Nanda Devi Sanctuary occupied a very respectable amount of exploration time and effort in the latter half of the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century. By the time W.W. Graham made spring and autumn journeys to Sikkim and spent the summer in the Kumaun region around Nanda Devi in 1883, a shift had just started towards looking to the Himalaya as a venue for sporting adventure. Graham and the Swiss guides that accompanied him this year planned an ambitious itinerary for their time in Kumaun. They attempted to penetrate, for the first time in recorded history, the Rishiganga gorge with an eye to ascending Nanda Devi. Not surprisingly the difficulty of the gorge, not infiltrated to its source (after many attempts) until 1934, forced them to reconsider the wis...

Zemu Gap from south: the first documented ascent

view of Kangchenjunga south summit and Talung peaks from Tongshyong glacier. Pic. Anindya Mukherjee Text & Photographs: Anindya Mukherjee Introduction The history of exploration around Kangchenjunga [1] , especially around its south, south east and east flanks; has always fascinated me. The classic journeys and adventures of pioneers [2] like W.W. Graham, John Claude White, Douglas Freshfield, Dr. A.M. Kellas, Harold Raeburn, N.A.Tombazi, Lord John Hunt and Paul Bauer ignited my imagination. The height of inspiration of course came from reading my hero Mr. H.W. Tilman’s account in the Himalayan Journal (vol. IX) on his attempt on Zemu Gap from south in 1936. The primary challenge of climbing Zemu Gap from south has always been its remote & complicated approach. Many failed just to reach the foot of this col. To add to that its apparently impregnable defenses took Zemu Gap to a next level of exploratory climbing. In 1925, Greek photographer N.A.Tombazi is sai...

An Alpine Season in Ladakh

An Alpine Season in Ladakh First Ascents of three 6000m peaks in the Khyam lungpa [1] Text and Photos: Anindya Mukherjee Khyam lungpa Background Sometimes, the most memorable adventures stem from the most unexpected turns. In August 2023, Christian Ranke and I, was aiming to traverse the twin summits of Kang Yatse IV, a feat that would build upon our previous success on Satopanth in 2016 [2] . Kang Yatse IV had already become familiar terrain for me—on 1st August 2021, I had been part of a team known as 2L1B (Two Ladakhi One Bengali), which made the first ‘documented’ ascent of the North summit of Kang Yatse IV (6130m). Along with Ladakhi climbers Sonam Yangjor and Stanzin Wangial Kaya, we climbed the mountain in alpine style, reaching the North Summit via the North Face-North Ridge route [3] . That ascent left me deeply connected to the region, and I was eager to return. However, this time, the mountains had different plans. After spending a week struggling up the northern slopes ...

Trek and Climb with RAJA

Search This Blog