Trekking
INTRODUCTION
Tibet,
the largest and highest plateau on the earth, is surrounded by the most
extensive jumbles of mountains found on any continent. Stretching for almost
1900 miles (3000km) and forming its entire southern boundary is the Himalaya,
and along its western extremity is the equally rugged Karakoram; between these
two ranges are all fourteen of the world’s 8000-meters peaks (greater than
26,25o feet in elevation), including the soaring heights of Mount Everest. In
Northern Tibet the plateau is a high, arid expanse know as the Jhang Thang,
the “ Northern Plains,” where no trees grow and summer temperatures can
fall far below freezing. Eastern Tibet is bounded by a succession of mountain,
the Hengduan Shan, where three of Asia’s largest rivers cut deep, parallel
gorges on their journey from the plateau to the sea.
Many people in
the West think Tibet is like the Jhang Thang- a desolate, cold, windswept
desert on the roof of the world- but an unusually diverse and strikingly
beautiful landscape of snowcapped summits, lush rhododendron and conifer
forests, and fertile agricultural valleys also lies beyond the Himalaya.
Currently, tourists have the choice of either arranging a private group
with an itinerary of their own design or joining a commercially organized
trek.
When to go trekking ?
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In
general the best season for trekking is from May through October. The weather
during these months is surprisingly mild with warm days and cool to chilly
nights in the mountain: not very different from summer conditions in the
Rockies or the Cascades. July and August can be very rainy, receiving over
half of Tibet’s annual precipitation. India’s monsoon manages to push over
the Himalaya into much of central Tibet, bringing rain most nights and
occasional showers during the day. This time of year is also prime wildflowers
season, when even the most barren hills don a fuzzy green coating of grass.
Higher up in the alpine areas the valleys become |
| lush and speckled with innumerable types of flowers and blooming shrubs. | |
By September autumn is knocking on the door. The days are cooler and
the willow and poplar leaves acquire a yellowish cast. Indian summers are not
uncommon and may last into late October or early November, Bringing sunny days
and clear, crisp nights with temperature often dropping below freezing. But
September and October can also bring surprise snowstorm to the mountains.
EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING
If
you want to go trekking in Tibet you have to book your trek through a
travel/trekking agent who will supply all the necessary camping equipment.
Although sleeping bags are also provided some outfits prefer you bring your
own personal sleeping bags because the rented ones are not very clean and
always have some residual odor from the previous usage.
Tents, kitchen equipment, all other camping gear, support staff, cooks,
porters and meals are generally included in the price quoted.
With regard to clothing you must constantly compare an item’s
effectiveness against its weight. If you’re
not buying everything new. One alternative is to rent gear. If you plan to
enter Tibet from Nepal and return there, it is possible to hire camping
equipment and winter clothing such as parkas from trekking shops in Katmandu,
particular in the tourist area of Thamel. (Trekking gear is not presently
available for rent or sale in Lhasa.) Another way to save money is to purchase
used gear or buy” seconds” from factory outlets. Local newspapers and
bulletin board at grocery stores or outdoor stores are good places to
advertise or find ads for used equipment.
When planning your clothing needs for a trek, think in terms of layers.
Layers of clothing will keep you warm, but can be removed to gradually prevent
overheating. During spring and autumn the night temperatures in the mountains
often dip below freezing, making warm gear essential. In summer the days can
be hot, requiring light cotton clothing. Adequate wet-weather gear is also a
priority during the summer. Remember that the mountainous regions of Tibet can
receive snow any month of the year, and always be prepared for cold weather if
you will be trekking at elevations much above 16,000 feet (4880m). Make sure
that the clothing you will wear most often can be washed in cold stream water
and dries quickly.
