12 Jan 2022 Prakash Devkota
Nestled in the heart of nature with visually stunning glaciers, towering mountains, and crystal-clear lakes, Baruntse truly is a marvel. It’s perhaps the most iconic and gorgeous mountain in Khumbu, capped by four other peaks.
The mountain overflows with natural charm, scenic hideaways, majestic waterfalls, and vibrant valleys, and so many inherent wonders. It has diverse geographical features with steep-walled rocks, deep valleys, and basins, which are worth admiration.
Baruntse is in the seam of Hunku glacier on the south, Baruntse in the east, and Imja glacier on the northwest. It’s at an elevation of 23,497 ft and requires to travel an extended trail with surrounding steeps, wide-open valleys, and alpine meadows.
Baruntse looks spectacular at any time of the year, but Spring and Autumn seem to bring out the best in it. Their fine weather enables the mountain to beam and shows off its exquisite beauty. The warm and predictable weather of the spring and autumn also makes the trek more comfortable and relaxing.
The climate favor trekkers by offering plenty of sunshine throughout the journey. It also provides them with a scenic view of rolling hills, diverse landscapes, and vibrant valleys. Flowers begin to bloom in Spring, providing a lovely backdrop. Its crisp and clear air allows the climber to sight the mountain from a distance.
Baruntse Spring Weather
Spring is an incredible time for Baruntse Expedition, given its cool, calm, and pleasant weather. It fights the winter blizzard before making a smooth transition into summer. The change in weather can be observed from late March.
The temperature in the lower region starts rising gradually from early April, but it’s still below 0 Degree Celsius in the mountain. The trekking routes may be open around the time. However, due to fresh snow, it’s a bit hard for trekkers to find the way and even get traction.
There’s a dramatic change in the weather across Khumbu in Spring. At most places, it’s cold at the beginning of the season. But once the winter fades, the average daily temperature increases, making the trek easy and comfortable.
The weather remains chilly at the mountain even in April, but below the camp, it’s warm. Temperature is rising in the lower region from the very start of the month. You’re likely to have longer days in Spring with warm sunlight.
Early summer sunshine and warmer temperature can be experienced in late May. There is spring blossom in the peak season, which provides a breathtaking view. Walking along the trail, they can witness lush meadows and terrace farms.
It’s easy to capture the shots of pristine mountains and landscapes in Spring. Mountaineers have an even better time climbing the peak due to the strong visibility and clear view. Climbers can expect more snowfall in Spring than that in Autumn.
Fresh snow covers the trail deep down in the mountain. Besides, spring is next door to winter, so the trekkers can foresee continuous snow showers in the mountain. This will make the hiking slightly more difficult for the trekkers.
The fresh snow makes it hard to take long and quick steps on the trail. Due to low frictional force, it requires trekkers to spend some extra time on these slippery courses. Chances of flight delays are more in the early spring due to bad weather conditions.
Baruntse Autumn Weather
Autumn can be an ideal season for those seeking mild climatic conditions and temperate weather to visit Baruntse. Traveling between September and November will provide visitors with warm sunshine, cooler temperature, and less humidity.
It leaves the summer behind, offering mild weather for most of the season. A better part of the Khumbu is usually warm in Autumn, but the weather in the mountain is still frosty. By the time the season is at its end, temperatures drop to -15 Degree Celsius.
Autumn in Khumbu is quite a magical time to relish the fall colors. Trekkers navigating the series of forested trails will be delighted to watch the colorful leaves before it sweeps away. The lovely flowers with autumn foliage provide a picturesque backdrop for visitors at the peak of October.
So many seasonal events and festivals take place during the month. It means the trekkers climbing Baruntse in Autumn will be exposed to the unique culture, history, and lifestyle of the Himalayan people, particularly Sherpas’.
There is low precipitation and snowfall in Autumn, making the conditions favorable for climbing. But, as it strives towards the end of the season, the temperature drops rapidly. Due to the up-and-coming winter, trekkers can expect heavy snowfall in late November.
Unfortunately, the trees start to lose their leaves from mid-November, so whoever climbs the mountain thereof won’t be able to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage. They can have the view of pristine mountains, though but not as clear as in the earlier month.
The morning mist may prevent trekkers from catching a glimpse of surrounding mountains. Climbing the summit is easier in Autumn due to warm weather and sunny days. The weather is stable, with no blizzards and severe storms.
Even scrambling the glacier and crossing crevasse becomes less difficult in the season. Since the weather is crisp and clear, it’s rare for the Baruntse expedition to get postponed in Autumn.
Off-Season Weather
Off-season trek isn’t recommended for Baruntse as the weather is too harsh. Winter is pretty brutal in the mountain, with temperatures falling up to -20 Degree Celsius. There are snow blizzards and storms in the mountain, which causes whiteouts. Finding the way to the summit becomes impossible in such times.
The weather in the monsoon isn’t great either. There’s continuous rain in the season, which makes hiking really tough. The trials are slippery and hard to walk while maintaining the same pace. Tropical winds and storms make the race to summit incredibly difficult.
Outline Itinerary for Barunste Expedition
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu City and Preparing for the climb
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m), then trek to Chhuthang (2,800 m), 4-5 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Chhuthang to Thuli Kharka (4,100 m) via Zatrawala Pass (4,600 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Tuli Kharka to Kothe (4,182 m), 6-7 hrs
Day 06: Trek from Kothe to Thangnak (4,326 m), 4-5 hrs
Day 07: Trek from Thangnak to Khare (5,000 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 08: Rest day at Khare
Day 09: Trek from Khare to Mera La Pass (5,400 m), 5-6 hrs
Day 10: Trek from Mera La Pass to Seto Pokhari (4,850 m), 5-6) hrs
Day 11: Trek from Seto Pokhari to Baruntse Base Camp (5,300 m), 4-5 hrs
Day 12-23: Summit Mt. Baruntse (7,129 m), and back to Base Camp
Day 24: Cleaning Base Camp and return to Seto Pokhari (4,850 m), 3-4 hrs
Day 25: Trek from Seto Pokhari to Mera La Pass. 6-7 hrs
Day 26: Trek from Mera La Pass to Thangnak, 6-7 hrs
Day 27: Trek from Thangnak to Kothe, 4-5 hrs
Day 28: Trek from Kothe to Thuli Kharka, 5-6 hrs
Day 29: Trek from Thuli Kharka to Lukla, 5-6 hrs
Day 30: Fly back to Kathmandu, (1,400 m) from Lukla
Day 31: Final Departure
Difficulties of Baruntse Expedition
It may not be the highest mountain but climbing Baruntse isn’t a walk in the park. The trek is one of the most challenging, with steep slopes, mountainous terrains, seracs, and glaciers. Climbing the summit is even tougher, with a vertical ascent on snowfields and ice sheets.
It requires technical skills like rock climbing, using ice axe and ladders. Since the trails to Baruntse are covered in deep snow, mountaineers will need crampons to walk through it. Altitude Sickness is another extreme challenge that makes hiking difficult for mountaineers.
The low oxygen at the Baruntse summit makes the trekkers suffer from breathing problems. It also causes dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and insomnia, which, if untreated, can cause severe casualties,
Altitude Sickness usually develops due to climbing higher altitudes at a faster speed. Therefore, mountaineers have to acclimatize well before heading to the summit. They must learn a few skills from the trek guide to overcoming the challenges.
Besides, they also have to get the proper training to tackle the harsh terrains of Khumbu. Trekkers have to prepare themselves for a long and uneven walk. To get to the summit, they have to hike through the Sherpa villages, cross suspension bridges, and travel dense forests.
Check more at Baruntse expedition difficulties.
Final Say
Generally, Autumn draws more climbers than spring given its stable weather conditions. It provides the visitors warm climate with less humidity and snowfall. This makes hiking to the mountain easier and comfortable.
The post-monsoon brings crisp weather and provides a clear view of mountains and surroundings. There are more trekkers climbing Baruntse in the season due to its pleasant and delightful scenery. Visitors can watch the beautiful fall foliage in the forest during Autumn.
Meanwhile, Spring has a little colder weather compared to fall; The weather is chilly at the beginning of the season. But, as it gets closer to the end of March, the weather gets a lot warmer. Temperature is rising in the season, so the weather is not frosty as in the winter.
Spring season starts from early March and lasts till May, providing trekkers a wonderful trip. The season brings sunshine with it after the long-frosty winter. It also offers a splendid view of blooming flowers, green fields, and colorful valleys.
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Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
