1

list of plant species and what elevation they change
what is flowering when you are there
soil analysis if possible

2

Photos of menus showing prices at different elevations.

scoodly

3

maps of villages and hamlets along the way as well as names, phones of guesthouses and assortment of goods in shops, would be very welcome.

4

Remember to go from Pisang via Ghyaru (sleep there for better acclimatization) and Ngawal. Visiting Tilicho Tal would also help acclimatization and give good photo opportunities. Actually no need to stay in Manang at all except for a lunch and HRA AMS lecture, maybe.

5

We considered attempting Chulu West this spring but opted instead for Chulu East. It would have been helpful to have a good description of the difficulties of CW, esp with pictures. As best I can tell, the rock band is a bit sketchy and the ridge on summit day can be quite long, worse with new snow. Details of the AC are pretty well documented, but the trekking peaks aren't.
I also think folks would appreciate hearing your experience organizing the climb, which is more involved than many realize.
Petrus- we signed up with your guy, looking forward to a great trip. PMs down, so haven't been able to let you know.
Will post a report some time this summer, when back home and settled in.

6

@mdmss: nice to hear, as there is no PM you can use my trekking gmail address "arkienkeli" if you want to. As can others around here.

7

Hello everyone,

Thanks very much for your input. It was especially good to hear from the regular contributors such as Petrus and Scoodly. My ears (eyes) always prick up when you guys write, as your comments are based on experience and are relevant and to the point. Personally, I tend to get a bit angry with people who use this forum to self-promote or belittle others and am inclined to fire off the odd angry shot. Also, Davyd and Mdmss, your questions reflect the kind of things that I would like to know about.

So......

Petrus - .I have walked the high route via Ghyaru once and it was great! As well as the acclimatisation, the views are among the best I have seen. Definitely doing that. Also, after falling ill with AMS last time I tried Chulu West, I thought about what I could do to increase my chances of a successful trek/climb. Yep, another 3 days or so above 4000 metres to Tilicho Tal 4900?? is what we are doing.

Mdmss - What you have mentioned is exactly what I want to share. I read so many blogs which are almost generic, with terms such as great views, tough day etc. I want specific details of the route, costs, accommodation, food, toilets, logistics, etc. That is what I will write about. I will also name my guide and porters, tell you how I contacted them and how much they cost, how they travelled, insurance etc. If they are good (they will be) I will praise them. If they are bad, I will tell you who they are so you can avoid them.

Davyd - Good call to include names of guesthouses as well as photos of the accommodation (inside and out). Just out of interest, where do you see the benefit of maps of villages and phone numbers of guesthouses?

Another good point is the assortment of goods in shops. Never thought to write about that, but I have often wondered how I would go buying batteries, electrolyte drinks, soft drinks (at what price) Mars Bars, gloves, a new down jacket, bandaids, painkillers, etc etc etc, Shall do.

Thanks once again for all of your tips.

Only 6 days to go!!

Later dudes.

Gavin

8

You may have seen this already, but if you go to Google Earth and advance the Imagery Date to 11/23/11 you can see tracks in the snow leading to the summit of Chulu West. It's pretty cool. Tracks on Chulu Far East too, IIRC.