25 Aug 2022 Prakash Devkota
The Himlung Himal expedition is an expedition of the Himlung Himal or Nemjung of Manaslu region. The mountain lies between the Annapurna and Manaslu range. It lies northwest of Kathmandu valley and stands at an altitude of 7140 meters.
People climb the Himlung Himal every season. But not every season gives you the best expedition experience. Like any other peak climbing, the Himlung Himal expedition also has favorable seasons. Like most mountain climbing expeditions in Nepal, spring and autumn are the most suitable times. Here, we will delve into what different seasons bring to Southeast Annapurna. We will discuss the dangers and suitability of the Himlung expedition through these lenses. Then you can conclude what is the best time for Himlung Himal expedition.
Himlung Himal Expedition in Autumn
The autumn in Nepal comes in September and ends around November. This season is the most popular trekking and climbing season in Nepal. You will see vast crowds of expeditors during this season. The weather is the most suitable and the temperature isn’t at the extremes. Your likelihood of getting frostbites or cases of Hypoxia is less. The less extreme weather also subdues the worsening of possible AMS symptoms.
There are very few possibilities of rain or snowstorms. The trails are pretty dry too. Hence, there are significantly fewer risks of accidents. Moreover, just trekking and climbing will be pleasant. The skies will be clear, views of landscapes will be better and so on.
There might be chances of heavy winds at the end of November. But weather forecasts and proper planning will save your trip. The rare cases of heavy winds do not outweigh the other suitability of this season.
You also need not carry heavy luggage for rain gear or thermal clothes. You might need warm clothes for the night as the temperature goes down. But there is no need to have many of them. A pair or two would suffice. Consequently, saving you a lot of luggage weight.
Other than weather-based suitability, autumn also brings festivities to Nepal. Trekking and visiting Nepal is wonderful this time around and also the best time for Himlung Himal Expedition. The festivals of Dashain and Tihar occur this time. People visit their family homes making busy streets clear. If you visit settlement areas, you can see colossal bamboo swings. You can experience the celebratory environment by indulging with locals. The pride of climbing a 7000m peak and having a very festive atmosphere makes the experience way better.
The autumn’s peak climbing season also brings in many mountaineers worldwide. Guides have experience taking the most number of expeditors during October and early November. Hence, you will have a chance to share diverse cultures. You will build a more outstanding mountaineering fraternity if you do the expedition this season.
Himlung Himal Expedition in Spring
Spring comes in April and ends in May in Nepal. The start of spring begins with the melting winter snow in the mountains. The snowless trails make treks easier. However, the same cannot be the fact about mountain expeditions. Spring will still house a lot of snow on peaks. Although walking standard trails will be easier in spring, mountain climb will not. But if you are an experienced expeditor, a climb during spring will be the best time for Himlung Himal Expedition.
On the bright side, the spring will have comparatively stable weather. Intense snow storms are less likely. Although persistent, avalanches’ dangers are less than that of winter. Trekking/Climbing in spring is always a great experience. The wildlife is at its best, the landscapes are mesmerizing, and there are fewer risks of heavy monsoon rain. There is no need to carry heavy luggage with precautionary rain gears. You also need not bring heavy clothing because the temperature is quite suitable in the lower region.
The spring also has the emptiest trails in the mountain region. The spring and autumn are the most favorable seasons in Nepal. But autumn is way more crowded. The serene and quiet trails could also be a benefit.
Despite the less crowded trails, the business in the region is fully running in spring. You will get accommodations, food, and guides easily during spring. Doing a Himlung Himal expedition during spring would be a lifelong experience.
Himlung Himal Expedition in Summer
The summer months in Nepal are from June to August. These months bring a sweltering climate. The lower regions of Himlung go as high as 25 degrees Celsius. You have to factor a trek in such heat in the Manaslu trails. Hence, the first part of your expedition in the lower Manaslu will be very tiresome and hot.
Moreover, the summer season also brings in monsoon rain. The summer can almost be synonymous with the monsoon. The monsoon is a considerable risk for mountain climbing trips. The roads become very slippery. You have to carry huge luggage just for your rain gears. The overall expedition will be a huge hassle. So, it is best if you do not climb Himlung during summer.
Himlung Himal Expedition in Winter
Winter in Nepal is from December to February. It is the most gruesome time for mountain climbing. The northern Himalayan ranges are already cold, and the winter weather makes the cold extreme.
The lower trekking Manalsu trails of Samdo and Samagoan experience -8 degrees Celsius weather. So, the mountain expedition will be much worse. The air temperature drops by 0.6 degrees every 100 meters.
You ought to carry heavy thermals to keep you warm. Chances of frostbites are ample, and Hypoxia is a persistent danger. Extreme weather triggers risks of other underlying health conditions. The winter Himlung Himal expedition is a health hazard.
The winter also brings in snowfalls and snowstorms. So, the likelihood of avalanches is prevalent. Avalanches are life-threatening. If avalanches do not occur, the trails will still be inhabitable. They become very slippery as the route will be filled with icy trails. Such roads will once again increase the risk of accidents and falls.
Furthermore, most high-level trekking routes are closed during winter. Most mountain climbing expedition does not happen during winter. The three passes of Everest are closed. The Manaslu region’s Larkey La pass is also not hiked during winter. So, you can understand the dangers winter brings.
Shut down of trekking routes also results in shut down of accommodations. Therefore, you will suffer to get accommodation or food. Guides are less likely to join you for a climb. Once again, the season is against your favor for the Himlung Himal expedition.
Difference between autumn and spring expeditions.
We know that autumn and spring are the most suitable seasons for trekking in Nepal. The monsoon and winter seasons close a lot of trekking and climbing routes. But the trekking business booms during autumn and summer. Here are some facts about the seasonal expedition to help you choose the best among these two favorable seasons.
- The number of climbers in spring is less than in autumn. So if you wish to trek in a much quieter environment, better pick spring.
- The early spring will still have pockets of snow in the mountain region. Such deep snow still somewhat poses risks of bad roads and avalanches. If you do not have experience trekking or climbing in snow, do not climb in spring.
- The late autumns bring high winds. The winds at higher altitudes are sometimes even classified as hurricanes. Moreover, the nights of autumn are pretty cold. Late autumns bring harsher and colder climates.
- The days of spring are comparatively more prolonged than that of autumn. The more amount of sunlight during the day is better. The short winter daytime is a significant factor in the shutdown of the trekking business. Hence, this is a bright side since days get longer during spring.
Conclusion
Choosing favorable seasons to do mountain expeditions saves you from many dangers. A poorly planned expedition brings risks of accidents, health hazards, and many more. Frostbites and Hypoxia could occur in extreme cold. Similarly, monsoon rains could damage the smooth trails resulting in casualties.
Spring and autumn seasons are the best time for Himlung Himal expedition. But those seasons do not end all the risks of the climb. You also ought to be cautious of some difficulties spring and autumn bring.
The appropriate season choice will make your expedition many times better. It makes the mountain climbing trip more than just a strenuous task. The best season-based mountain climbing will be a lifelong experience.
You may also like: Himlung Climbing Difficulty
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.
