Hiking altitude increments for Annapurna base camp

Replies: 4 - Last Post: Oct 14, 2012 2:48 AM Last Post By: hoofer

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Oct 11, 2012 11:21 PM
Posts: 5

Hiking altitude increments for Annapurna base camp

Hello there,

I will be making a trek to the Annapurna base camp through a trekking tour. I have specifically asked for a trek just to the Annapurna base camp, ruling out walking routes around. This is the Hiking itinerary i got from them:

Day 1.- Star trekking to Nayapul - Jhinu Danda.
Day 3.- Trekking - Dobhan (2600 m)
Day 4.- Trekking - Deorali (3200 m)
Day 5.- Trekking - Annapurna Base Camp (4200 m)
Day 6.-Trekking - Dobhan (2600 m)
Day 7.- Trekking - Ghandruk (1940 m)
Day 2.- Trekking - Birethanti

It caught my attention that on DAY 5, there is a 1000m vertical ascent to the BC in one day, I just have basic knowledge about high sickness so just wanted to ask to you guys with more experience and knowledge what are your thoughts and comments about it, Isn't it too much to go up 1000m above 3,000 in just one day?, or is it ok?

Thank you very much!
E.

Edited by: ericksoun

Petrus

Oct 12, 2012 1:10 AM
Posts: 1,157

That itinerary is definitely quite fast. 1000m gain from Deorali to ABC is too much, but it might not affect trekkers all that much as only one night is spent at ABC and then you would come down even faster. Meaning that it is not all that dangerous, but might/will be uncomfortable for many. Also Nayapul-Jihnu Danda on the first day is quite a hike. If you have the time you should just hire a porter-guide (about $15/day) and go by yourself at your own speed. Cheaper and more fun. Add 1-2 days to the ascent and 1 day more for descent, coming down ABC-Bamboo-Landrung-Phedi, this way you will not be hiking the same trail up and down from the road.

scoodly

Oct 12, 2012 4:39 AM
Posts: 3,694

Hi

If you cannot get more time, to reduce the height consider sleeping at MBC and hiking to ABC early in the morning and return down the same day.

Altitude info from ISMM.

Good luck.

scoodly

chrisjb11

Oct 12, 2012 11:48 PM
Posts: 5

I did the ABC trek with this itinerary two weeks ago:

Phedi - Tolga
Tolga - Chhomrong
Chhomrong - Himalaya
Himalaya - MBC
MBC - ABC
ABC - Sinuwa
Sinuwa - Ghandruk
Ghandruk - Birethani

I could have easily taken out a day by going Himalaya-ABC (which is what most people do) but I got lazy. As for signs of altitude, I didn't even get a headache, and I can't imagine that many people would have problems on this trek because you're only really at a significant altitude for 1 night before you descend.

I met heaps of people doing Deurali to ABC and for the overwhelming majority of people it wouldn't be a problem. You're only staying at a high altitude for 1 day anyway, and it's a short trek so you'll be fine. Lots of people do it in 7 days, some in less.

Edited by: chrisjb11

hoofer

Oct 14, 2012 2:48 AM
Posts: 58

Hi,

I did a similar itinerary to your's and got a mild bout of altitude sickness at ABC. Not life threatening, but it definitely took the fun out of things. I would not do the 1000 M ascent to ABC in one day.

Cheers,

Hoofer

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