Death By Ladoog IV

DECIDING ON THE TIME/MONTH OF TREK

Once you decide that you want to go on a high altitude trek, the first thing you do is decide when you want to go. As a rule this is determined by the purpose behind the trek. The purpose could be any of the following:

1.  Tourism

2.  Landscape photography

3.  Bird Photography

4.  Botany

5.  Pilgrimage

TOURISM

Under this, I would include trekkers – those people who love trekking in the mountains. I would choose mid October to mid December, and late March to early May. Ofcourse the duration of the trek is also a factor, including the highest point that the trek will attain.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Here too I would choose the above months. The reason is that these months will be that time of the year when the skies will be clear, there will be no rains and there is less likelihood of being snowed in.

However, if the trek is likely to touch over 5,000 Mtrs. you will have to begin the trek during mid September so that you cross the highest point before the heavy snow starts. Once again the duration of the trek is a factor that must be kept in mind. Regardless, what is important is that you plan in such a way that you pass the highest point in your trek, before the onset of the big snows.

View from Bonte-La Pass at 4,980 Mtrs. One has to scale this high pass to get to Soe Yaktsa from Jangothang. You can see the tip of Jichu Drake on the left.

BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

Not many people go to high altitudes for bird photography. One reason is that the birds migrate to lower altitudes during the cold months. However there are bird species that live only at high altitudes – such as the Bja Oro (Common Raven – Bhutan’s National Bird) or the Lammergeier. In Bhutan I have spotted and photographed these two birds in Gangkhar Puensoom and Lingzhi. Thus October and March should be the months of choice. Both these places are likely to be open during these months. I have done Lingzshi in February!

BOTANY

This requires that that alpine flowers are in bloom. So June – August are the most likely months – in terms of productivity. But I can tell you it will be WET and SOGGY. Pack a bloody good ground sheet and make sure your rain gear is top notch!

PILGRIMAGE

Here too I would choose the months between October to November and March to May. The reason is that these months will be that time of the year when the skies will be clear, there will be no rains and there is less likelihood of being snowed in.

No reason why your quest for Nirvana should not be an experience in blissful enjoyment.

But one thing you have to keep in mind – DESPITE YOUR BEST PLANNING AND FACTORING IN ALL PROBABILITIES, you can never be sure.

In nature, be prepared for the unexpected!