Friday, 19 June 2009

Gary Pfisterer confirmed to lead The Mountain Company's Lunana Snowman trek in September 2010

Gary Pfisterer will lead the September/ October 2010 Lunana Snowman trek for The Mountain Company. He knows the trail well having led a successful Snowman trek in 2004. Gary is a very experienced mountaineer and trek leader, click here for his background and experience

Monday, 2 February 2009

Trip Report for Lunana Snowman trek led by Roland Hunter in September/ October '08

The Lunana Snowman group arrived back to Thimphu yesterday afternoon after successfully completing this epic trek across northern Bhutan. The Snowman trek is known as one of the most challenging in the Himalayas crossing over 14 high mountain passes and covering 400km over 28 days of trekking.

The Mountain Company only organises the complete Lunana Snowman trek from Paro to Bumthang. Some of the shorter versions of the "Snowman" trek start in Punakha and others Lunana via the Nikka Chu valley. My feeling is that if you are going to do the Snowman it is worth doing the complete traverse rather than smaller sections of it. We found the quietest & most remote part of the trek was from Thanza to Bumthang where we only saw two trekkers in 10 days! This is very unusual in the Himalayas these days during the peak season of October.

As you can see from the photos we experienced good weather and excellent conditions on the passes. The timing of this trek is very important in order to increase the chances of successfully completing the journey as well as getting good views along the way! The optimal time to start the trek is at the end of September when the monsoon should be winding down which places the group in Lunana around mid October hopefully before the winter snows block the exit passes.

The Lunana Snowman is a very special trek passing through a beautiful and unsploilt region of the Himalayas. The area is still heavily forested and this year's group saw the following animals & birds along the trek: Blue sheep, marmots, Himalayan black bear & cub, blood pheasant, lammergeier and birds of prey among others.


Dee, one of the members of our trek last year, summarises her experience:

"Roland was probably the best trekking guide I've ever had. He kept us safe and informed. I am particularly grateful for your resourcefulness and rapid response in replacing my disintegrating boots on Day 2 and making the effort to go back and advise us how much longer it would be till campsite after a long cold and wet day... you really went the extra mile.

The scenery on the Snowman trek was gorgeous and I feel really privileged to have seen this kind of vanishing wilderness. It was arduous but worth every step. It was a real treat to have real coffee as never been on a trek that offered it... you have raised the bar! Thanks for everything, Roland!" Dee Standley (USA)


I have copied a few photos of the trek below, if you are interested in seeing more photos of this trek then please visit the Lunana Snowman photo gallery.

The Mountain Company is planning on organising the Lunana Snowman trek for September/ October 2009 so please get in touch if you are interested. For further information on this trek please see our Lunana Snowman trek page.

Roland Hunter
www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Photos: Lunana Snowman 1

Photo: Tiger's nest, Paro
Photo: view from Drukyel dzong

Photo: walking through forest

Photo: near Shana camp

Photo: trail near river

Photo: isolated farmhouse

Photos: Lunana Snowman 2

Photo: Mt Chomolhari

Photo: farmhouse next to Jitchu Drake

Photo: Mt Jitchu Drake

Photo: approach to Ngele La

Photo: view from Ngele La


Photo: Lingshi dzong and camp

Photo: trail near Lingshi

Photo: Goyok village

Photo: approaching Gombu La

Photo: descending Gombu La

Photo: autumnal colours

Photos: Lunana Snowman 3

Photo: autumnal colours

Photo: children near Robluthang

Photo: Robluthang camp

Photo: Tiger Mountain

Photo: Laya women

Photo: archery near Laya village

Photo: approach to Tsemo La

Photo: rheum nobile plant

Photo: Tsemo La

Photo: view from Tsemo La

Photo: Narethang camp

Photo: approaching Karchung La

Photos: Lunana Snowman 4

Photo: view from Karchung La

Photo view from Karchung La

Photo: view from Karchung La

Photo: descending Karchung La

Photo: view from Tarina camp

Photo: waterfalls near Tarina

Photo: above Woche village

Photo: yak on trail

Photo: view from Kesha La

Photo: chorten at Tega village

Photo: cantilever bridge

Photo: Chozo dzong

Photos: Lunana Snowman 5

Photo: annual yak festival at Chozo dzong

Photo: Lunap family

Photo: Yaks taking a bath!

Photo: Thanza village

Photo: Thanza camp

Photo: Table mountain and Thanza village

Photo: overlooking Thanza

Photo: walking to Danje camp

Photo: friendly yakherder

Photo: Danje camp

Photo: approaching Tsorim

Photo: Tsorim