Everything you need to know about Chulu West 6419M climbing expedition
Chulu West Peak 6419M in far distant.
Chulu West peak is a 6000M+ climbing peak in the mid-western part of Nepal. The peak is located in the beautiful region of the Annapurna region. Trekking through one of the world’s most beautiful trekking routes, climbers set apart to Chulu base camp from Ledar village to embark on their peak climbing adventure. The peak resides on the backdrop of the Annapurna massif range, Himlung Himal 7246M, Nemjung, and Manalsu 8163M.
Annapurna region is not packed with climbers and trekkers compared to the Everest region. Any climbers seeking remote and less traffic on their trail, this will be the right option for you. Having said that the beauty of the Himalayas is not compromised around the Annapurna region. It offers a different beauty and leaves the impression of its own. If you as us Annapurna circuit region is one of our favorites because of its access points, cultures, landscapes, giant mountains, remoteness and we could go on forever.
No. of climbers
2020: 4 climbers
2019: 73 climbers
2018: 105 climbers
2017: 90 climbers
But before you embark on one of the most amazing adventures, we have listed 11 useful pieces of information that will help you prepare for your Chulu West peak climbing expedition.
1. When is the best time to climb Chulu West peak?
Chulu West 6419M Peak
Chulu West is best suited to climb during two climbing seasons. Spring (Late March-May) and Autumn (September - November). During both the season there aren’t as many climbers as other peaks in the Everest regions. So climbers can expect a low-medium number of climbers.
For experienced climbers, winter climb is still possible but this comes with a lot of uncertainties. i.e unstable conditions, tea houses may not be operational or even the ones operating won’t be well-stocked. Pre-arrangements will have to be made but that will also depend on the number of climbers.
2. Is it possible to shorten the Chulu West expedition or If I want to extend my expedition what other options do I have?
Chulu West expedition can definitely be shortened but this comes at an additional cost. At Namas adventure, we do provide these services for private client groups (2+ members). The shortest Itinerary we can make it up to is a 14-day itinerary. Extra charges apply of an additional $3000 - $3500 applies since we will have to charter helicopter services. Please contact our team for other flexible options.
If you want to extend your trip then we would like to recommend the following two other destinations that is in the same region.
Chulu west & far east expedition. Double your summits. (inquire for extension)
Chulu East 6059M is another peak that includes some technical climbing sections along with glacier walks. The approach to the summit is as expected strenuous with two high-altitude camps (5400M and 6050M).
3. How much does it cost to climb Chulu West? What does the cost include?
With Namas Adventure, Chulu West expedition costs $4500 per person. We provide premium high-quality all-inclusive peak climbing services. Climbers do not have to worry about anything with our team and totally focus on their climbing holiday and fun times ahead.
List of what’s included in your booking.
NNMGA Certified Sherpa Mountain guide
$300 Individual tip pool. Tip pool will be fairly distributed among all Namas staff members. (Guides, porters, drivers, hotel security, and staff). Guest may personally hand in extra tips to our guides and porters.
Namas Branded merchandise (Down Jacket, Cap, Buff)
1:2 Sherpa Guide: Client ratio
Cook and helping team at High Camp
30Kgs per person
Arrival hotel in Kathmandu
All trekking and climbing permits (ACAP and Peak Permit and TIMS)
All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trailhead
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on trek and expedition days.
1 Pot of hot water every night
Hydration tablets, frozen foods at BC and high camps
Lodge accommodation during the trek
Porters
Arrival pick up and departure
Internal flights
Basic First aid kit
Welcome/Farewell leave Dinner
4. Are guides necessary for climbing Chulu West?
To issue a permit for the Chulu West Peak climb, you will have to go through a registered local company, for this purpose guides are hired. For beginner to intermediate climbers, we highly suggest climbing the peak with guides. The usual climbing route does have a crevasse and new hazards may appear every climbing season. Experienced climbers/guides who want to venture into new routes will still have to be assigned a local guide even if they don’t prefer them climbing with them. So, yes legally speaking guide assistance is required.
5. What is the best acclimatization itinerary for Chulu West expedition?
Chulu West high camp
Chulu-West climb is slightly longer for 6400M altitude. A total of 5-6 climbing days are required due to the nature of difficult terrains but the climb is possible. (2021 Spring expedition report).
For climbers, acclimatizing properly for high-altitude climbing trips is a must. Our expedition itinerary planning allows you to acclimatize to higher elevations, giving your body the time it needs to adjust to the altitude. With years of guiding experience and well-known scientific literature, we know that this is the only way for your body to adapt after gaining elevation. With that knowledge and experience, our team has built up the itinerary for this expedition.
On this climbing trip, we make sure your itinerary has high camp acclimatization combined with trekking gradually to higher elevations. Your body needs these adaptation periods when you are above 5000M+. This way you can experience alpine camping, enjoy the Himalayas all around you, and had gained enough strength to make your summit climb.
6. What training is required for this expedition? Can you suggest me a training plan?
Chulu West is by no means an easy climb like every mountain expeditions but this Chulu West or East climb is suitable for beginner to intermediate level climbers. Mountains are graded based on their technical and physical difficulties. For your training, we highly recommend climbers to focus on endurance and strength training. Any type of aerobic exercise, like long-distance running (10-15km) 3 to 4 times a week, cycling (1 hour - 2 hours), hiking gaining elevation with 10-15kgs weights on are some of the suggested training. We can also suggest high-intensity training like cross-fits are a good way to build your overall fitness or kettlebell training are also suggested. More on our training mountain expedition blog.
Courses like Level - 1 mountaineering are also helpful tools. You will learn technical skills like climbing with a rope on 5/6 anchor points using ascenders, how to walk with crampons on ice, snow, and rock, and to be efficient with abseiling and overall gear safety checks awareness.
7. How hard is Chulu West Peak climb?
Chulu West is graded at PD/3. (Alpine/fitness grading link).
Trail blazing on way to Chulu West high camp. Expect deep snow during spring expeditions.
Climbers are expected to be physically fit. The day leading to the summit is always the longest enduring and tough period of your itinerary. Breathing is always a challenge at high altitudes but with proper acclimatization done ahead of time, staying well hydrated, eating properly, your body should recover and adapt to the altitude.
Once you depart from high camp the real alpine challenge begins, mostly climbing on steep ice and snow surfaces. You will be walking for 4-6 hours to reach high camp. Summit day climb starts early (3 or 4 am) with the goal to reach the summit or near to the summit by sunrise. This will be the most challenging and rewarding part of the climb. You can expect to hike around 10+ hours on this day as you will have to summit and then descend back to high camp. All your previous physical training, your will, mental strength, and your grit for real adventure will take you through this final day and to the summit.
8. What are the clothing and gears - boots required for Chulu west climb (trekking and mountaineering)? Can I rent gears in Nepal?
Choosing the right gear is very important. We advise climbers not to make compromises on the quality of gears and clothing, and to pay attention to layer up comfortably as well. You will highly depend on your clothes to keep you warm, especially during nighttime when temperatures can go down to -10/-15. Please check our equipment blog for recommended clothing and gears.
Renting your gears in Nepal? We provide gear rentals exclusively for Namas Adventure clients during our climbs. All the gears are in the best condition, clean, and highest quality. Kailas equipment, black diamond, Mountain hardwear provides all-out mountaineering gears. (Namas Equipment hire link)
If you want to hire it from other local sources in Nepal, our simple answer is NO. This is one of the most frequently asked questions mainly by beginner climbers. We have tested and tried several gears in Nepal and frankly, we do not recommend hiring here. We know it might seem like a huge amount of expenses to buy all the gears, but they are well worth it.
Boots (trekking and mountaineering) for Chulu West
With better technologies, climbing shoes have improved every year. We highly recommend double-layered boots like La Sport G2Sm or Scarpa phantom. It is wise to spend on good mountaineering boots, as so with all the gears that we have mentioned in this post above.
9. What types of foods are available during the expedition? Is clean water available and how much water intake is recommended?
We suggest all our clients drink 4-6 l of water every day. Staying hydrated will also help you with acclimatizing properly. It’s best to take hydration tablets or filtration bottles with you.
Most of the foods are prepared in the tea houses and during your climbing days, kitchen tents are set up by our Sherpa teams. You do not need to worry about food but remember to eat enough. In the high altitudes, your body will naturally want to reject food or avoid using energy on anything, which includes eating too. You might have to force yourself with the first few couple of bites and then eventually your body will start accepting the food. We also provide packed dried meals, so that clients have other options should they not want to eat what’s being cooked in the tents.
Remember to avoid smoking and any alcohol intake. You might see our guiding leaders smoking or drinking but remember they are professionals and they have adapted very well to these environments compared to the climbers who go there just for adventure holidays.
10. What trip insurance will I need for Chulu West expedition? Do I need helicopter evacuation to be included in my insurance cover?
No matter how prepared you are, you never know when or how things might go wrong. You might be sick suddenly or not that we wish but there might be some incident, you might suffer from altitude sickness or anything we can’t imagine yet. So, for these reasons, it is always good to have insurance cover. Our recommended Insurance companies (link)
Helicopter evacuation is our final emergency option and we do recommend you have one in your insurance, as it is the only means of transport in the Everest region. Our guides will assess your condition and examine if it is a major issue. If not, they will use their experience to motivate and push you through your trip. However, in case of emergency, helicopter evacuation will be called upon.
There is a procedure to follow when calling for emergency evacuation. We will call the insurance company hotline, get approval with your insurance and only then helicopters are sent to the distress call location. You will have to pay for the evacuation in Nepal from your own pocket but once you are back home you can claim your money back. Make sure you collect helicopter evacuation receipts, certified doctor’s approval letter. The insurance company will ask for this evidence to back up your claim. There was a huge helicopter scam in Nepal during 2018, so insurance companies are taking extra measures to stop this from happening. Our guides and staff members in Kathmandu will also remind you of this process during briefings.
11. Which other high-altitude peak climbing can I aim for after Chulu West climb? Can I combine other 6000M+ peaks with the Chulu West expedition?
Recommended 7000M Expeditions
Once you have completed your expedition and when you feel like you want to take on higher peaks we can suggest other 7000M+ peaks that you can aim for.
HIMLUNG HIMAL 7126M EXPEDITION
Himlung Himal Summit 7126M
The south flank of North-west ridge route, Camp 1 - 3 strategy
7 - 13 days in Himlung Himal Base camp 5460M and higher
1:2 Guide/Client ratio throughout the expedition
Nar & Phu Villages and Manaslu conservation area
BARUNTSE PEAK 7129M EXPEDITION
Baruntse Expedition route
Baruntse 7129M summit, Mera Peak 6476M (Acclimatisation training peak)
South-east ridge route, Camp 1 - 2 strategy
5-10 days in Baruntse Base camp 5460M and higher
1:2 Guide/Client ratio throughout the expedition
Amphu Lhabtsa Pass 5800M and Khumbu Valley
TILICHO PEAK 7134M EXPEDITION (TECHNICAL CLIMB)
Tilicho Peak 7134M on the left.
Tilicho 7134M summit
North-West Shoulder ridge route, Camp 1, 2 and 3 strategy
7 - 14 days in Tilicho Base Camp 4910M and higher
1:2 Guide/Client ratio throughout the expedition
Tilicho Lake and Annapurna Circuit trek
Chulu West Peak is a mountain climbing trip that every traveler should experience at least once. We hope the information we have provided will help you decide or prepare for your outing in the best way possible. If you are looking for a great climbing trip and have an amazing time in Nepal, join us on our Chulu West climbing expedition! You can be assured that you are provided quality services with our fun-loving yet professional guides who have 5 - 10+ years of taking clients on such peak climbing trips. After all, we do aim to be the best adventure specialist in the world and you having a great time, being safe and summiting will always be our priority.
Do you plan to climb and summit the amazing Chulu West peak in Nepal? If you do have any more questions, please ask us below in the comment section or you can email us at bookings@namasadventure.com and our team will get back to you as soon as they can.
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