Useful Info

Chulu West Peak Climbing Difficulty

Chulu West Peak Climbing is located in the Annapurna mountain region and this is one of the adventurous and challenging climbing peaks of Annapurna region. The trekkers who are bold and looking for challenging climbing peaks in Nepal can go for Chulu West Peak Climbing Expedition. This peak is one of the challenging peaks of Nepal. Trekkers should have sound physical fitness and some prior experience of peak climbing for the successful completion of this trek.

From its base camp you will climb the rock band with some difficulty to the north-west shoulder of Chulu West where another camp can be established on a snow plateau above 5,530m. You have to ascent along with the rope fixed on the rock band. Then finally you have to continue up the progressively narrowing ridge towards the summit from the snow plateau. The altitude, steep snow slopes, sharp rock bands, unstable weather all create much difficulties while undertaking this climbing. Undoubtedly, Chulu West Peak Climbing comparatively more difficult than the Chulu East Peak Climbing.Chulu West Peak Climbing Season



Annapurna Region is obviously the best trekking destinations in Nepal. Spring and Autumn are undoubtedly the best time to visit Nepal. Autumn (September, October, and November) is the best time to travel to the Annapurna region. During this season, the landscapes appear vibrant and invigorated, with brilliantly clear skies that create picture-perfect views of the hills, rivers and gorges. The daytime temperatures generally remain pleasantly warm that ranges between 12ᴼC-15ᴼC, but the nights can get chilly cold.Spring (March, April, and May) is another peak Season. The winter snow begins to dissipate and the crystal clear skies create wonderful views of the green valleys and hills. The lower regions are covered in colourful rhododendron blossoms and the temperature starts getting warmer, which is perfect for trekking. As May approaches, the days become hotter, and the humidity causes a kind of haze to surround the peaks of hills that is visible from the lower regions.

Winter (December, January, and February) is extremely cold, and as the altitude rises, the temperatures sharply lower down. January and February are the coldest months. Though the days are chilly cold, night time temperature drops below freezing point. The bright sunny days even in winters offers splendid views in the Himalayas.

Chulu West Peak Climbing Preparation

It is better safe than sorry. Mountaineering obviously is an activity full of dangers. Therefore, safety must be always your first priority. Preparing well in advance is very important for your safe, secure and pleasant climb. Here are some tips in short cut about how to prepare for Chulu West Peak. Let’s have a look.

It is a good idea to take a basic rock climbing course

Practice enough gym workouts for this climb. Basically, Cardio and strength endurance training must not be avoided.

Be mentally ready to cope with this strenuous peak

Consult with your physician to prevent yourself from HAPE and HACE

Collect adequate gears and clothing

Consult with a professional and well-established trekking partner

Hire a professional guide

Complete all the mandatory paper works and procedures

Physical Fitness and Experience Required for Chulu West Peak Climbing

To climb high elevation peak the health and fitness is a paramount criteria. The level of fitness required is proportional to peak elevation and route difficulty and length. Chulu West Peak Climbing is a technical adventure activity in Nepal which requires previous trekking experience and technical skills about peak climbing gears to have successful summit. The trip is very suitable for adventure motivated trekkers who have ability to walk in snows ridges and adventurous trails. Walking in high altitudes might attract high altitude sickness, slow and steady walk would be the perfect solution. We suggest every trekker who are planning to come to Nepal for trekking and peak climbing adventure to do daily physical workout (jogging, hiking, cycling, gym, etc) prior to a couple of weeks. We recommend undertaking Chulu West Peak only if you have undertaken other smaller peaks of the same region. Here is the list of the activities that must be done compulsorily before attempting the Chulu West Peak:

Go for a run or hike to hills where you have to do ascents and descents.

Once a week, do a long walk.

Swim and cycle.

You can also go up and down the stairs of a tall building.

Eat healthy food.

Keep on doing yoga. If you can, do more yoga related to breathing.

Chulu West Peak Climbing Gears and Essentials

Personal Climbing Gear: Mountaineering boots, Rope, Climbing Harness. , Crampons, Ice axe, Ascender and descender, Head Lamp, Carabineers, Figure 8, Altimeter, Climbing helmet:

Footwear: Well broken-in walking shoes – these must be suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, camp shoes.

Clothing : Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers or jeans, shirts and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves, bathing suit, track suit.

Other equipment: Sleeping bag, lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries, lip salve, gaiters.

Other items: Insect repellent, toilet articles, diary, toilet roll, laundry soap, wet ones, pocket knife, towel, sewing kit, plasters, binoculars, camera, film, cards and personal medical kit., Oxygen mask and regulator

Chulu West Peak Climbing Permit and Cost

Chulu West Peak Climbing is an adventure that cannot be undertaken without a climbing permit. You need to acquire a permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association to attempt any peak above 5000 meters. The climb without having will be illegal. For climbing Chulu West Peak, you need to have Local Area (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Permit which costs around $20, Climbing Permit, TIMS Card Permit (Trekking Information Management System) and all government tax.

The following service charge has to be paid by the foreign climbers who are hoping to attempt Chulu West Peak:

Spring Season (March, April, May): $250

Autumn Season (September, October, November): $ 125

Winter Season (December, January, February): $ 70

Summer Season (June, July, August): $70



Accommodations

Chulu West Peak Climbing cost and itinerary provides you sophisticated hotels and resorts from normal tourist standard category to five-star categories that are available in Kathmandu for your accommodation, where you can choose your suitable one. During the entire trekking (apart from the climbing period of Chulu West Peak) there is availability of tea house/lodges. And during the climbing period for a couple of days, we need to set up tented camp for accommodations. So we will provide all tea house accommodation at available places and camping accommodation at the places where tea house/lodges are not available. Accommodation can be Single, Double, Triple or twin sharing basis as per your requirement

Meals

Chulu West Peak Climbing Expeditions are inclusive for all meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) including the entire trekking and climbing period, apart from the BB plan during the stay in Kathmandu. We will have Dinner and Breakfast in the same teahouse/Camp where we spent overnight and Lunch will be en-route of trekking towards next destination since we have to leave our accommodation after breakfast to continue the trek. You can enjoy the taste of varieties of cuisines; Nepali food, Tibetan, Continental, Indian, Italian etc by choosing in the menu. During the camping period, while we are in Chulu West Peak Base Camp and High Camp, our kitchen team will prepare hygienic foods to serve you. There might not be several choices of foods during the camp as in the tea houses and restaurants; you have to understand that our crew have to carry all camping gears and kitchen equipments from available places but we are sure we will provide as much services and facilities as we can do to make your adventure holiday awesome.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is the effect of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues at the high altitude. It is the negative health effect of high altitude due to the rapid exposure to low amount of oxygen at high elevation. The common symptoms of Altitude sickness include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping and dizziness.

Altitude Sickness generally referred as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs only above 2500m. The main reason of altitude sickness is rapid ascent and decreasing amount of oxygen at the high altitude. There are mainly three types of altitude sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema.

Altitude Sickness can become a medical emergency if ignored. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to travel to high altitude slowly. It normally doesn’t take long for your body to adjust into a changed altitude. At the higher altitudes, the air pressure and oxygen level is comparatively lower. Our body takes time to adjust to such change. We suggest you to keep you hydrated, not to smoke or drink alcoholic substance, eat hygienic food, sleep low, take it easy, use Diamox tablets etc. to prevent yourself from Altitude Sickness.

Tips for Chulu West Peak Climbing

Acquire right and sufficient trainings Pack Sufficient Collect most essential gears Hire a guide Be mentally ready Follow the instructions of your guide Never underestimate the weather Climb steadily, sleep low Be careful about your health and hygiene

Conclusion

Chulu West Peak provides the best experience of the Annapurna region. It is rewarding than any other mountain climbing. It is your chance to be familiar with a Himalayan peak and the experience will stay with you forever. However, it is technical and strenuous. You need to have peak climbing knowledge. Preparation in advance is the key to succeed this adventure. So, please contact Nepal Guide Trek and Expeditions right ahead for all the exciting details about this most admirable Expedition.