Trekking Stok Kangri (6125 m)

I started together with 3 guys (Italy, England, Swiss), guide and cook (both from famous Sherpa tribe), horseman and four horses. After 6 hours walking through a massive scenery we reached base camp 1 (4200 m). There was a "cafe" run by locals and just one other trekker with his tent. We spent a sunny day to adapt to the altitude by playing with donkeys and horses, viewing the huge stunning mountains coming in various formations. I found beautiful mini-versions of flowers from our home garden (i.e. Veilchen) but also Edelweiss.

In the evening a cold strong wind appeared and set an end of the romantic atmosphere. Our cook served a 3 course menue! The food was so good as never in India before!!! Wow!

The next day we made it to the base camp 2 (4900m) and trekked up to 5100 m. There we had an amazing view on the Indus valley and Leh. One of us already got mountain sickness (headache, stomach problems).

This night at 2 a.m. all of us started towards the top. The almost full moon provided light. Unfortunately one had to return after one hour because of mountain sickness. The final group consisted of a 23 and 26 year old guys (both hungry reaching the top), the 23 year old Sherpa-Guide and me.

Just in time we passed the base camp 3 (5200 m) after 1.5 hours. Soon after that we put our crampons on to enter the glacier area. My two fellows began to run, where I stayed in rope with the guide and made step by step upwards. One fellow we hooked up again at around 5500 m where he got a strong headache. At this altitude I was able to make appox. 45 steps before I needed rest. The ice axe provided stability in the steepy area.

The final part from the uppper end of the glacier to the top of Stok Kangri we had to climb over 5 cliffy rocks. The difficulty was the snow- or dust-coverage of the crumble rocks. There I was able to make appox. 10 steps and needed rest. Really I could not do more - I felt enourmous difficulities in breathing. Apart from that I felt okay. The last 150 meters upwards took me 1.5 hours.

Again just in time we reached the top after 7.5 hours! The view was amazing!!! We were sourrounded by houndreds of smaller mountains of the hight of not less than 5000 m. Behind we saw the Great Himalaya Range with higher peaks. Amazing! We stayed appox. 15 minutes in the hight of 6125 m.

One the way back we slided down the total length of the glacier (ca. 3 km) on our backside (saved time and energy). For steering and speed control we used the ice axe. It was another fantastic experience.

After 11 hours we reached our camp and were so happy!!!

We are in the Nubra Valley for the next 2 day. After that we will be posting some pic from Stok Kangri.