Friendship Peak Expedition (5250m)

Close to friendship summit
Beaskund valley 1
Enroute friendship

Trip Details

  • Trip Type: India Mountaineering

  • Region: Manali - Himachal

  • Grade: Moderately Challenging

  • Duration: 8 days

  • Max Altitude: 5289m

  • Batch Dates: Custom Dates Only

Friendship Peak Expedition (5250m) Overview

Friendship Peak Expedition is popular climb among climbers who have introductory mountaineering knowledge. The peak is at the headwall of the main Manali/Beas valley and is clearly visible from Manali town.

 

The approach for the mountain starts with a drive from Manali to Dhundhi past the popular summer tourist spot Solangnala. We start our trek by making our way along the Beas river to the pastures at Bakarthach and past Beas Kund - the holy pond where Hindus believe that Rishi Vyas, who wrote the Mahabharata took his daily bath. We make our way up to flatlands at Lady Leg where we set up Camp 1.

 

Friendship peak is a trekking or non-technical 5300m summit accessed through Beas Kund Glacier, one of our favourite areas for mountaineering, skiing and snowshoeing. This trip can be fit into a much shorter duration depending on the skill and acclimatisation of the climbers.

Dates and Cost

This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this climb.

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Friendship Peak Expedition (5250m) Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Manali

Arrive in Manali in the morning and check into your hotel. Walk around town and orient yourself to your surroundings. Final gear check and prepare for the climb ahead. Overnight in a hotel.

 

Day 02: Manali  - Bakarthach 3300m

Duration: 5 hrs

Drive up to Solang nala and further ahead on the Rohtang Tunnel road. We start our trek from Dhundi, on the banks of the Beas. We follow the river, through a couple snow bridges and gradually ascend to the meadow at Bakarthach.

 

Day 03: Acclimatisation around Bhakarthach

We take this day to explore the area around Bakarthach, acclimatise ourselves and brush up on our snow and ice skills for the climb ahead. Return back to base camp for the night.

 

Day 04: Bakarthach - Camp 1

Duration: 6-7 hours

We leave Bakarthach and climb up steeply to cross over to the Beas Kund Glacier.  We descend to the glacier. From here we climb up a steep section to the ridge on Lady Leg where we set up our  Camp 1.

 

Day 05 and 06: Reserved for summit attempts

Duration: 10-12 hours

The summit is a single push from Camp 1. The terrain goes through moderately steep snow slopes. As reach the summit after negotiating a rocky ridge an amphitheater of peaks in the Kullu and Lahaul valleys lay before us. We can also see the town of Manali from the summit. We return to ABC for the night.

 

Day 07: Return to Bhakarthach from ABC

Duration: 5 hours

Retrace our steps to reach the green meadows at Bakarthach.

 

Day 08: Return to Solang and drive back to Manali

Duration: 5 hours

We make our way to our waiting vehicles and drive to Manali. Trip Ends!

  1. Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents.
  2. Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Dining Tents, Western Style Toilet Tents.
  3. Insulated sleeping pads.
  4. All meals as detailed in the itinerary and safe drinking water.
  5. Cook and camp staff.
  6. Climbing guide for the duration of the trip
  7. Pack animals (Horses/Mules) to carry loads on the route until Base Camp with personal portage up to 20 kg/person 
  8. All HP state Forest Permits,
  9. IMF Peak fee/State government royalty/permits where applicable
  10. All technical climbing group gear
  11. All transport from Manali to road head and back.
  12. All Staff Insurance
  1. Sleeping Bags
  2. Stay and food at hotels in Manali.
  3. All expenses of personal nature like bottled water, drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
  4. Any Personal Mountaineering Equipment and Clothing.
  5. Any other transport than whats mentioned in Cost includes.
  6. Any expense incurred due to force majeure such as landslide, bad weather or reasons beyond our control.
  7. Any Guest Insurance.
  1. Sturdy backpack/rucksack (70 lt)- This will go on horses until Base Camp
  2. Backpack small ( 20 - 30 Ltrs) - to carry every day
  3. Warm hiking pants and shirts/T-shirts/sweatshirt.
  4. T-shirt wicking Layer.
  5. Good hiking shoes.
  6. Head light with extra batteries.
  7. Sunglasses.
  8. Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and toiletries.
  9. Thermal underwear / long johns (upper + lowers)
  10. Insulated water bottle/ flask.
  11. Warm fleece jacket.
  12. Rain Gear
  13. Down jacket.
  14. Warm gloves - thin to work in the ice.
  15. Warm gloves - thick (waterproof)
  16. Warm socks
  17. Headgear (balaclavas/woollen cap, sun hat, bandana etc.)
  18. 4 season sleeping bag (-10 deg C or lower)
  19. Personal recreation: camera, books, music, cards etc
  20. Hiking poles
  21. Personal climbing harness
  22. Helmet
  23. Gaiters
  24. Crampons
  25. Carabiners
  26. Ice axe
  27. Rope slings for self anchors
  28. Prescribed medication if any