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Posted by Mardi himal trek MARDI HIMAL TREK Mardi Himal is considered to be an ideal introduction to mountaineering in the high Himalaya, particularly if you have limited time available. No previous experience of high altitudes is necessary, as every precaution will be taken to ensure gradual and thorough acclimatization during the trek to the mountain. Although Mardi Himal is the shortest and probably the easiest of our expeditions to Nepal, to maximize both your enjoyment and your chances of success, you need. A major benefit of Mardi Himal is the ability to climb it in a round trip of a little over 2 weeks. It therefore makes a visit to the Himalaya a real possibility for those who hitherto have not been able to find the time to join a longer expedition. This peak is located in the east of the Modi Khola, across the valley from Hiunchuli. It is separated from Machhapuchhre ridge by a col. and usual route of ascent reaches this col (about 5,200m. /17,060 ft.) and reaches the summit via a route on its east flank. Although the mountain rises above the entrance to the Annapurna sanctuary it is not often visited. The trek reaches and then follows the Mardi Khola for 2 days before turning and climbing the ridge line for 3 more days before reaching base camp around 4,100 m. /13,451 ft. The climb has problems with route finding and effort but little technical difficulty: the couloirs leading to the col on the East Face can present an avalanche danger with fresh snow. The climb begins by heading steeply towards the col on the connecting ridge between Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre. High camp is usually placed just below the final steep (45 degrees) couloirs leading to the col (about 4,650 m. /15,256 ft.) From high camp, climb to the col and turn west, ascending steep snow slopes to the summit. Descend the same route. Route : The approach to Base Camp is through a remote forested valley of bamboo and rhododendron typical of lowland Nepal. A high camp is established above Base Camp from which the route to the summit goes up a snow couloirs to the snow slopes that lead to the summit. Camps will be place en-route. Itinerary Link: Trekking in Nepal
on 8/27/2007, 1:53 am
Day 1 : Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Explore Pokhara before the evening trekking briefing.
Day 2 : Leave Pokhara (at 915m, 3,000ft) for a drive to the Tibetan Refuge Camp at Kaski. Then set off by foot to Suiket and in the afternoon, after an unhurried lunch, we climb from Phedi steeply up to the main trail along the ridge to Dhampus. The first night's camp at 1620m (5314 ft) is in full view of Machhappuchare.
Day 3 : Dawn usually brings a spectacular sunrise with the Fishtail tuning from pink to gold and the bare rock wall of Annapurna II still in shadow. Now we start on the 'secret trail' leaving tourist, other trekkers and the villages behind. We enter an enchanting forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, hemlock and daphnie. That evening we camp in a small clearing at 2550m (8360 ft) far from the beaten trail.
Day 4 : As we climb the flora changes into classic cloud forest with mosses and litchen, tree ferns and orchids. Now and then there are windows through the woods that look that look out onto the thrilling panorama, towards Hinchuli and the knife-sharp traverse towards Annapurna South. Far, far below, we can see the Modi Khola Valley leading up into the Annapurna Sanctuary. We stop climbing at lunch so as not to go too high tooo fast. The afternoon is at leisure, camped at 3400m (11020 ft) and through the forest we have mesmerising views of the ever-closer Fishtail.
Day 5 : After just a short steep climb we are out of the forest, above the tree-line. A ridge, either grassy or under snow depending on the season, takes us up to our 'High Camp', which we reach at lunch. We take another afgernoon at leisure to acclimatise, at 4100m (13,550 ft). The views here are awesome. Annapurna South seems close enough to throw a rock at while Machhapuchare seems close enough to touch.
Day 6 Breakfast will be earlier than usual and with packed lunches we set off to reach our objective. Conditions being favourable we should reach up to 5,000m to 5,300m (16,400 ft to 17,400 ft) and attain our absolute goal, the crest of Mardi Himal. It's the only thing separating us from the south face of Machhpuchare, looming now just in front of us. This is the sacred mountain and permission to reach the summit is never given. The great icefields and blue glaciers of the Sanctuary Wall lie below and Annapurna I is beyond. In an are from horizon to horizon, from Dhaulagiri to the Ganesh Himal are a dozen or more glistening snow-bound giants of the Himalaya. You are standing on a spot that has been your constant aim for days, a place a time a view that is almost impossible to equal and you've earned it! Whatever our achievement, by 1pm we need to descend back to 'High Camp.
Day 7 After a relaxed breakfast we make an unhurried descent down throuth the shade of the forest and out onto the terraced fields near the Siding Village. We continue down to our camp at 1750m 95740ft) near the Mardi Khola.
Day 8 The trail from siding now follows the contour of the river valley, gradually down between the pastures and throuth Tamang and Gurung villages at 1,160m (3,800 ft).
Day 9 With just a few hours of walking we meet the road and our transport Pokhara in time for lunch. That afternoon is spent showering and relaxing, some even have enough energy to go rowing on the lake. In evening we have our End of Trek Party when the sherpas and Porters let their hair down and dance to the sound of the Madal drum.
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