Expedition diary for India Ladakh
Destination: India-Ladakh (Kang Yatze)School: The Emmbrook School
Year: Summer 2009
Summary
Northern India and Rajasthan offer something for every interest and lots of opportunities to get off the beaten track. The mountains of the Himalayan range from technical to easy high altitude climbs. India has a vast cultural history which includes ancient ruins and a fascinating culture which has changed little over the years. Cities such as Jaipur otherwise known as the ‘Pink City’ are living museums. The markets are a colourful and lively experience brought to life by the local people with their music, dance and costume.
Objectives
- To complete a trek
- To climb Kang Yatze around 6,450m
- To mix with the local people and learn about their local cultures
- Visit local Buddhist temples
- Visit the Taj Mahal
Diary by Expedition Leader
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Day 1: Build up and transfer Day’s leader: Cassey Lunch was fine and the coach drive to the airport went very smoothly. Day 2: Delhi Day’s leader: Tom After a quick meeting the team split up into three groups to search Delhi for restaurants, sights and the Embassy. People saw different things and were appalled at the squalor the City lies in, but the auto rickshaws were fun and everybody enjoyed riding them. |
Day 3: To Leh
Day’s leader: Hannah
Very early start, but the quiet of the city was worth getting up for. The check in and flight went very well even the food on the plane was ok! The landing at Leh is always exciting.
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Day 4: Acclimatisation trek Day’s leader: Lottie Everyone was woken up at 7.30 am after a good night’s sleep. We walked through a valley - some found it hard going as they were feeling the effects of the altitude. We walked through some small villages which proved a little difficult due to the number of small paths and roads but eventually ended up at the monastery above Leh. Very hot but the view was amazing. |
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Day 5 Day’s leader: Jack The team decided to go rafting today paying for it out of their own money. It was also Amrik’s birthday and what a birthday it must have been. There was lots of shouting and screaming from the team let you know that they were having a good time. Day 6 Day’s leader: Nicole First chance for the group to put up tents and sort out kit. I think all were impressed with the food so all looks well for the coming trek! |
Day 7
Day’s leader: Amrik
A very short day but good all the same. It gave the team a chance to shake down their camp craft and packing up skills.
Day 8: The main trek
Day’s leader: Kyle
What a day! We woke up at 05.30, then set off at 07.30 without knowing that this was to be one of the most demanding days of the trek.
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To begin with everyone was fine, the walk started and the temperature was around 15-18c. We walked about 18 miles in temperatures up to 32C over our first pass (Grand La 4,800mtrs) which came as a bit of a shock for most. Day 9 Day’s leader: Joe The first time the team have met some ‘mountain children’. All wanted to play with them and give them pens etc. Also the first wash in a river, very cold indeed!!! |
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Day 10 Day’s leader: Adam An easy days walking today following the river and crossing it using some quite exciting ‘sturdy’ bridges. Day 11 Day’s leader: Sophie Two river crossings today. The river was flowing quite fast but looked ok for us to cross. We went over in two groups once I had checked the river out. I think all found it quite exciting, especially Craig as I got him to lead one of the groups over. |
Great first views of our main objective Kang Yatse. It was very impressive as we walked along the side of the river covered in snow and looking very big. I am really looking forward to having a closer look at it in a few days. Can’t wait!
Day 12: Base camp
Day’s leader: Hattie
The peak looks better the nearer you get. Some excellent routes to be done and the summit ridge is well worth a look at some time in the future.
Day 13: Base Camp to ABC
Day’s leader: Jamie
Another early start this time to drop off kit at the ABC to save carrying it on summit day.
Day 14: Base Camp
Day’s leader: Megan
A complete rest day due to the weather. In hind sight this was a good thing as many seemed tired after the trip up the mountain to drop off kit.
Day 15: Base Camp
Day’s leader: Cassey
Summit day has eventually arrived. All got up at 0000hrs and after a quick breakfast were ready to leave at 1250hrs. When we arrived at the kit stash it became obvious that many of the team would not be able to continue for various reasons. Those that did were treated to one of the best mountains I have been on with a team.
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The sense of pride I felt is not something I am able to put in to words although I can say I had more than a few tears in my eyes as the six reached the top. We got to the summit at 1100 hrs. The journey down was quite exciting as the snow had softened considerably. All looked completely spent but on seeing the camp and their friends coming to great them the six seemed instantly to be lifted. An excellent day spent with amazing people. My only regret was in not being able to get more of the team to the top so they too could experience the feeling this brings. |
Day 16: Base camp
Day’s leader: Tom
Following a well earned rest the summit team where ready for the off. The prospect of another 5,100mtr pass was on everyone’s mind. In reality though, it proved to be the easiest pass of all with a gentle gradient all the way. The path down the other side was spectacular, many saying that it was the prettiest part of the trek.
Day 17: End of the trek
Day’s leader: Hannah
After an early start, we finished the trek all in good spirits. Gifts were given to the porters which they seemed very happy with, especially the guitar and Frisbee. An evening of games and general chatter followed.
Day 18
Day’s leader: Lotte
We passed the new hydro-electric plant on our way back to Leh, which is very impressive and should mean regular electricity supplies to the area when it is finished late 2011.
Day 19: Leh
Day’s leader: Jack
A great days shopping and final money checks and arrangements for the R and R phase were finalised so hopefully all is set for the last few days.
Day 20: R & R
Day’s leader: Nicole
The flight to Delhi went well with everyone in high spirits and looking forward to getting to Agra.
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We eventually arrived in Agra and the first views of the Taj. Day 21: R & R Day’s leader: Amrik Seeing the Taj at dawn was fantastic and also by the light of an Eclipse made it very special. One of my personal highlights of this stop was the string we were given in one of the temples. We all received some and were told to make a wish and tie it through the window. It is quite nice to think that our wish will still be in India when we have left. |
Day 22: Delhi
Day’s leader: Kyle
Last day of the trip and many, I hope, will reflect on the last three weeks we have spent in India. Many spoke seriously of how they enjoyed the Trek in the Markha Valley and reaching Kang Yatze Summit. Others enjoyed the sights of India, such as Forts or the Taj Mahal. For me the first days of the trip are always amusing watching the team deal with the heat, smell, poverty etc. that India throws at you, however, the sense of pride and satisfaction I experience seeing them grow and mature is something money can’t buy.
There is no doubt in my mind that everyone on the trip will take something away from it and most importantly realise how lucky they all are. My high-point of the expedition would still be the trek and climb, though sight seeing was still great, the trek offered such a fantastic sense of achievement. Reaching the summit of Kang Yatze with Tom, Nicole, Jack, Megan, Jamie and Amrik was something I will always remember. To see how some people actually live was quite disturbing at times and fascinating at others.
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Experiencing such a different culture, seeing how others live in such a different environment. I think and hope that everyone has had a great time on the expedition and has many happy memories and souvenirs to remember it by. Day 23: Home Day’s leader: Kyle I am sure the group are all looking forward to telling about the experiences encountered during the trip. All will have changed in some small way, hopefully for the better; only time will tell. But for now at least this chapter of our lives has come to an end and a new one begins! |
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