FULL SPEED AHEAD, Vince Poscente
Sign-Up Vince's Weekly
Full Speed Ahead eBrief


Vol.3.92

Reaching New Heights

by Vince Poscente
Author of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed

 

Yesterday we either reached a summit of an unclimbed, unnamed mountain or had a change of plans. Either way, we made plans. As you know, making plans involves setting expectations and budgeting for contingencies.

 

I’m writing this eBrief in June. Yet I’m giving you a blow-by-blow report of what we have experienced, before we experienced it. Last week I talked about the necessity of rebooting yourself. Turning off then checking back in again.

 

Checking out and turning off is exactly what I planned for myself. Here is what our group has experienced in the past seven days in our 2009 Over the Roof of the World Himalayan Expedition.

 

Day 3 – July 2nd – Manikaran to Khir Ganga

An early morning drive to Kalga at 7,200 ft (2,200 m) in a thick forest of pine trees. With a few steep sections we reach the holy place of Khir Ganga (elevation 9,350 ft). We take a dip in the hot spring near a small temple of Lord Shiva.

 

Day 4 – July 3rd – Khir Ganga to TundaBhoj

A five hour hike still within the pine trees giving way to a magical forest of birch. At 9,000 feet we continue to acclimatize to the higher altitudes. Our tents set up in an ethereal campground with the raging Parvati river running through deep ravines.

 

Day 5 – July 4th – TundaBhoj to Thakur Kuan

This challenging day is five hours of steep and arduous hiking. Through the Kanawer Wildlife Sanctuary a chance encounter of Brown Bears, Wild Sheep and the elusive Snow Leopard. We camp at 11,150 feet.

 

Day 6 – July 5th – Thakur to Mantalai Lake

A seven hour hike through flower speckled meadows to the mysterious Mantalai Lake. Unusual rock bridges, quartz deposits and hidden precious gems are part of our path.

 

Day 7 – July 6thMantalai Lake to Base Camp

Another seven hours of hiking over challenging glaciers and loose scree slopes.  There’s a beautiful grassy camp at the base of pass we will cross in two days. A beautiful grassy camp at 14,800 feet allows us to see a stunning green color to the lake below.

 

Day 8 – July 7thSummit Attempt or Rest Day












Each of our five climbers makes a decision to either climb to an unnamed, unclimbed peak or rest. At this altitude you know immediately if you can attempt a difficult ascent like this. Weather permitting we summit. (I’ll tell you in a couple weeks if we reached the summit and what we named the mountain.)

 

Day 9 Today July 8th Cross Pin Parvati Pass (17,420 feet)

The Pass is over the massive snowfield. Everyone is roped in as the crevasses are sometimes hidden. Over the top we descend over a steep scree slope to first camp site in Pin Valley at around 15,000 feet. Sleep is fitful at these altitudes.

 

Until next week, it’s full speed ahead,

 

 

 

 

Email This Full Speed Ahead Article to a Friend




© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved.