Dhaulagiri Circuit 2012

Grading - Challenging

This is a trek that you must be well prepared for. It is testing for a the novice in the Himalaya, but the rewards are there for those who are up to the challenge.This is constantly reviewed as one of the most spectacular adventure treks in the Himalaya, and for very good reason.

This is a three week camping trek around the 6th highest mountain in the world. We venture well away from civilisation and we have to cross two high and exposed passes. At our camp at Hidden Valley (5050m), we can expect the night temperatures around -15 to 18C, so this is a serious undertaking.

This trek may involve some sections using ice axes and crampons while walking, possibly placing some fixed rope in places, and, dependent on conditions, possibly roping together.

Altitude is a factor, so acclimitisation is critical. We don't view this as a stand-alone trek, as we have to ascend reasonably quickly, then spend 4 - 5 days at a significant altitude, so we have to have establised a reasonable degree of acclimitisation BEFORE we commence. We will take a gammow bag (portable altitiude chamber), but that is no substitute for proper acclimitisation as we don't want to be caught "hanging around" on the northern side of the mountain, where the weather has a deserved reputation for being extreme.

This trek will only run if there are four (minimum) to six (maximum) trekkers, and we will have to be assured of the correct preparation of all persons prior to commencing.

As this is a camping trek we need to take a fair number of sherpas and porters, and we do not want to jeopardise their health or lives by either having too big a group, or by not being prepared.

To borrow from the legendary mountaineering book "The first ascent of Rum Doodle", to walk the Annapurna Circuit is one thing, but to make it around the Dhalaguri Circuit is soemthing different altogether !

C'mon. Back yourself. Have a go. Just contact us and make this amazing adventure part of your 2012.

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