6 Dec 2021 Prakash Devkota
Island Peak is probably the most trekked mountain in the entire Khumbu Valley. It’s quite popular, if not the most, with visitors from all around the world. The mountain has a slightly easier hiking trail compared to other brutal snow peaks. It isn’t as tougher to climb as it seems unless the trekkers have chosen a rough time.
This is where the hikers will have to be cautious and decide carefully on when to visit the mountain. As the weather in Island Peak never promises warm sunshine or a temperate climate, they better climb the mountain in Spring.
The season is ideal for climbing Island Peak as it offers mild weather with the least precipitation. The weather is lovely around this time with summary temperatures and warm, bright days. An average daytime temperature in Spring is between 15 to 17 Degree Celsius, while the nights have up to -8 Degree Celsius temperature.
There’s a blast of chilly air with light snowfall at the beginning of the season. Things get better as time goes by. The after-effects of winter slowly fade away from the end of March, and the visitors will once again get to enjoy the bright sunny days.
Down the line, the weather is pleasant and relaxing in Spring. Its surrounding atmosphere with clear sky and fresh air makes the walk to the mountain easier and exciting. It provides a balance of longer days and longer nights to the trekkers, ensuring that they don’t have to rush in the trails.
Spring brings back the plants and trees to life. During the season, fresh flower sprouts and vegetation show up in the entire forest, providing a spectacular view. Green farms and patches of meadows offer a great backdrop and makes the journey refreshing.
It’s likely for travelers to witness an extreme change in the climatic conditions during Spring. The beginning of the season is generally cold but by the end of Spring, the temperature increases dramatically.
Therefore, visitors trekking the mountain in pre-season must bring along warm clothes to avoid suffering from the cold windy nights. Similarly those who’re doing the hike in mid or late spring can go easy as the weather is incredibly warm around this time.
Sometimes, Spring can tease visitors with the sudden and unexpected change in the climate. So, trekkers will also have to prepare themselves for the unpredictable weather of the mountain terrain.
You may also like: Island Peak climbing in Autumn
Island Peak Climbing in Spring
Unlike the base camp, Island Peak isn’t an all-time trek destination. It’s awfully cold in winter with heavy snowfall and blizzards. Winter temperature is normally below 0 Degree Celsius throughout the season. Island Peak is uncomfortably cold and frigid before Spring.
Thus, to avoid extreme weather and hostile climatic conditions, most trekkers prefer climbing the mountain after winter. They willingly let the season go by to enjoy the warm and pleasant weather of Spring. Travelers relish the increasing temperature in Khumbu Valley throughout the season.
Spring season starts from mid-March and lasts till May. Since it falls right between winter and summer, there’s a little flip flop in the weather. It’s initially frigid with the temperature falling up to -17 Degree Celsius. Due to the offshoot of winter, much of the part is icy-cold and snowy in March.
In fact, the travelers climbing Island Peak in the earliest month will be able to enjoy the winter activities. But, those who visit the mountain in April and May will be showered with the fantastic view of verdant meadows, steep-sided valleys, and lofty hills.
Island Peak in Spring is a great time to witness the beautiful wild flowers and full-bloom rhododendron. Given the crystal-clear sky, travelers can watch the sky-high mountains like Everest and Ama Dablam from a distance during the season.
Island Peak Climbing in March
March is indeed the perfect time to head mountains. It has mild weather with quiet trails and great scenery. Due to the post-winter climate, the courses are less crowded in the month. Island Peak is incredibly cold in the early few weeks of the month.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the weather only at the end of the month. The weather gets more stable from here onwards, with the temperature rising high up to 17 Degree Celsius. Its nights are colder and moist across the region, following a minimum temperature of -15 Degree Celsius.
Bright sunny mornings turn into cold and windy afternoons. The weather in Island Peak is usually cold in the evening, with the temperature ranging from -7 to -14 Degree Celsius. Travelers may even encounter snowstorms in the nighttime, so they’ll have to prepare in advance for the trek.
The weather can be snowy at the higher elevations in March. In fact, it can be subarctic at times, but travelers can also experience the spring energy and vibe. Climbers are less likely to have snow-related issues on the journey but, since it’s shoulder season, they might have to take care of the accommodation and food before the actual trek.
Island Peak Climbing in April
April completes Spring by all means possible. It’s a full spring season with warmer days and cooler nights. The weather in April changes quickly at Island Peak. It gets even warmer and sunnier than March. Beautiful mornings with cool wind and radiant sunshine seem to make the day of visitors.
In April, days are mostly sunny in spring, with temperatures gradually rising up. Evenings and nights are still chilly but not as frosty as in March. Daytime weather is moderate at Island Peak, with the temperature ranging from 0 to 15 Degree Celsius.
The weather is comfortably warm in April, making it easier for trekkers to hike. It tends to get warmer at the end of the month than it is at the beginning. As the travelers start to swing in with the season, the trail remains packed, so the visitors might not have the whole place to themselves.
But, on the brighter side, the month also offers delightful weather with radiant sunshine all day long. Ensuring that the cold winter days are long gone by, April enables travelers to enjoy cool and balmy weather.
Unlike March, the trail marching to Island Peak isn’t covered in deep snow during April. As a result, trekkers can easily ascend the mountain without extra effort. Besides the cool hiking trail and impressive weather, they’ll also be rewarded with the breathtaking view of colorful valleys, rocky cliffs, and mountains.
The cover of greenfield and brimming colorful forest with wildflowers give them a taste of Himalayan wilderness. They’ll also be blessed with the highly visible view of Imja Glacier, Imja Tsho, and other surrounding snow peaks.
It becomes incredibly easy to ascend the snowy ridge and glacier of Island Peak in April. Since the trails aren’t deeply covered in snow, trekkers will not have to suffer from frostbite or freezing of the skin. With the help of a trek guide and a few technical skills, they can comfortably make it to the summit.
Island Peak Climbing in May
In May, the weather is slightly hotter than in the earlier months. The temperature inclines super quick, reaching up to 15 Degree Celsius and more. The lower elevations are warmer but the temperature at the summit is still below 0 Degree Celsius.
As the month keeps getting closer to summer, the weather gets blistering hot. Days grow warmer as the month goes on but the visitors shouldn’t expect the total summery weather. Climate in the beginning of the month is slightly mild and comfortable.
The humidity level is quite high in the month with temperatures gradually rising up. For most part, the weather seems to be balanced and normal with warm mornings and slightly crisp evenings. It’s easy to see the changes in temperature in the mountainous terrains, especially the cold nights replaced by the warm air.
Travelers really get into action in May as well. As a prime trekking season, it receives a lot of visitors who intend to climb the mountain. There’s madness on the trail with travelers going back and forth the mountain.
Despite that, May happens to be one of the best times to visit the Island Peak. It has clear sky, fresh air, and bright days makes it possible for trekkers to catch the glimpse of shimmering snow peaks, including Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, and more.
The trail of Island Peak unfolds a splendid view of serene lakes, rocky mountains, and towering icefall. The trek also provides a picturesque scenery of deep valleys, glacial moraines, and ice slopes.
Trekking Island Peak in May is less challenging compared to other months of Spring. The weather is pleasing around this time so, trekkers won’t have to push the boundaries to reach the mountain top. However, they must spend enough time in training and keep themselves physically fit.
They must consider the weather in May while bringing the trekking equipment and other necessary gear on the journey. Hikers should be fully prepared for all weather conditions in case they are needed. The weather could be a little drier at the end of the month so they better stay hydrated.
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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.
