For more information take a look at Lunana Snowman photo gallery and Lunana Snowman trek webpage
Roland Hunter
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
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 farmhousePhotos: 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 coloursPhotos: 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 LaPhotos: 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 dzongPhotos: 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
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