Overview :

The Complete Guide To Nanda Devi East Advance Base Camp Trek

The following trek documentation is by Amitava Chakraborty who, along with his team, recently concluded the Trail Pass Expedition to the Nanda Devi Advance Base Camp.

Nanda Devi East A.B.C trek does not come in the purview of a simple trek. If adequate attention is not given to logistics it can be damning especially if you are planning to climb Longstaff col which is tantalizingly so close to the advanced base camp of Nanda Devi East. It is a tough trek ranging from easy parts in the beginning which slowly becomes tougher in the later stages- so adequate preparation is a must.

After a bone-grinding journey from Haldwani, you arrive at the sleepy hamlet of Munsiyar and take refuge in Pandey Lodge. Depending on your past interaction with Mr Pandey, the lodge owner, the cost of rooms will range between Rs 200 and 500. Other similarly priced lodges abound in that area which is very close to the market.

For costlier and plusher accommodations you may choose Zara Lodge,which is higher up. You can then look around for a muleteer who will be your companion with his pack horses or mules for the next four days to Martoli after which only porters can carry equipment. Shopping in Munsiyari for vegetables and potatoes is required as you can always lug provisions like fuel tanks of propane, lentils, wheat flour, rice, tea, sugar etc from Delhi or wherever your journey begins. Kerosene is not easily available in the hills so you need to procure it in advance.

While resting at Munsiyari you are also acclimatizing for the trek as it stands at 7513 ft (2290 metres). You will need to find a reliable Tempo Trax or Sumo SUV that will carry the team members, provisions and equipment to Dhapa, 10 km away, where the trek starts. The cost of an SUV is between Rs. 300 to 350 per vehicle and can accommodate about seven people with their equipment on top. The muleteer will arrive there directly from the nearby Madkotevillage and surrounding areas where most of the mule teams have their homes. Each mule, perparav (hill destinations which can be a 12 to 15 km stretch) can cost Rs. 400 to Rs. 500. Stiff bargaining is required as the muleteer will try to reduce the distance of a parav which automatically spells more money in his pocket.

During the second day, you can check through your gear and reduce the load by leaving behind a bundle of unnecessary stuff which you can deposit safely in Pandey Lodge for no extra fee. Some team members can go fill up forms at the ITBP office, with the expedition members' complete details and photographs, and also get permission from the District Magistrate’s office as the trek falls within the Inner Line Area where repeated checks and entries are made in registers maintained by the uniformed men manning the ITBP check posts all along the route.

Short Itinerary of Nanda Devi

Day-1- Munsiyari to Lilam

Day-2: Lilam to Bugdiyar

Day-3: Bugdiyar to Martoli Via Rilkot

Day-4: Rest day & exploration of Martoli

Day-5: Trek from Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa (4.5 km) (4/5 Hours) (14,124 feet) via Kalu Vinayak (14,310 feet)

Day-6: Patta to Bittalgwar to Nandadevi east base camp (N.D.E – B.C) via Narspanpati herding ground

Day-7: Basecamp to Nandadevi East Advance Base Camp

Day-8: Nanda Devi East ABC to Naspanpati, 3 hour

Day-9: Day 9 to Day 12

How To Get Fit For The Trek

Cardiovascular endurance
This trek requires a good amount of endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Start jogging at a slow pace and then keep increasing your pace day by day. Make sure you are able to jog 4 km in 20 minutes before the start of the trek. It takes time to be able to cover this distance in the given time. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too.

Strength
This is another area you should work on. There is a lot of trekking distance that you will cover carrying your backpacks and trekking along with your backpack is not a very easy task. You have to walk on uneven terrain during the trek. It could be taxing for your legs. For this, strengthening your legs will help. You can do some squats to strengthen them. Do around 3 sets of squats, with 8 squats in each set.

Flexibility
Another aspect that will help you trek comfortably is flexibility. For this, you can do some stretching exercises - stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. On your trek, it is important that you arrive on the slopes with your muscles relaxed. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek.

Working out indoors
If you can't go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here's a video you can use to work out indoors.

Bare necessities

Trekking shoes: The trek distance is long and you will have to walk for long distances which needs you to have comfortable trekking shoes. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes.

Backpack (40-60 liters): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for the backpack is essential.

Clothes

Three (Five in Winter) Warm Layers: You will be trekking and camping at high altitudes. So make sure you have the apt clothes for the climatic conditions. It will be cold at the higher altitudes so make sure you have at least three layers of warm clothes to protect yourself.

Two trek pants: One pair of pants should suffice for this trek. But you can carry one spare pair in case the first one gets wet. Wear one pair and carry one pair.

Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full-sleeved t-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. Again, wear one and carry one.

Thermals (Optional): Those who are more susceptible to cold can carry thermals to wear at night.

Accessories

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. There might be snow in Har Ki Dun Valley or from Kalkatiyadhaar (depending on the season you are going in), so carry a pair of sunglasses.

Suncap: The sun is harsher at high altitudes so wear a sun cap to protect your face and neck.

Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves. One pair of waterproof/resistant, windproof gloves.

Balaclava: You may use woolen scarves instead as well.

Socks (2 pairs): Apart from two sports socks, you can take a pair of woolen socks for the night.

Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory

Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole.

Others

Daypack (20 litres): If you are offloading your backpack, you will need a smaller backpack to carry water, medical kit and some light snacks.

Toiletries (Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste)

Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their own cutlery for hygiene reasons.

Two water bottles: 1 litre each

Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Mandatory Personal Medical Kit

Diamox - 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)

Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)

Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)

Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)

Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)

Disprin – 6 tablets (headache)

Norflox TZ & Lomofen– 6 tablets each (diarrhea)

Digene - 10 tablets (acidity)

Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)

Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters

Gauze - 1 small roll

Band aid – 10 strips

Cotton – 1 small roll

ORS – 10 packets

Betadine or any antiseptic cream

Moov spray (aches, & sprains)