The mighty Dhauladhar meeting with Pir Panjal mountain range
We two friends climbed Mount Friendship Peak in alpine style. Our journey began from 1550 meters and ended at 5272 meters. The name of this peak is Mount Friendship, which is situated at the confluence of Dauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain range. The location of Mount friendship is in Kullu District, Solang valley, Himachal Pradesh, North India. Friendship peak altitude is 5272 meter and coordinates are 32.3960° N, 77.1030° E.
The Epic Solang valley
We started this trek from October 26th and finished it on October 27th 2018. For 2 days we had loaded with about 40 kg heavy rucksack which we had to picked up for 25 km While going a long way, The summit was covered with blessings of Himalaya and sun rays.
Enroute to Summit camp
Friday 26th October 2018 (Day 01)
On the first day, we reached Manali (2000m) from Bir (1550m), where one night we spent in Dharamsala of Manali. Next day before leaving to Solang we did small shopping for the trek. On the afternoon of October 26, we reached Solang Valley (2450m). Here we met an old friend named Roshan Lal. Roshan provided some gears for summit. Such as climbing rope, snow shoes, gaiters and ice-axe etc.
The Mesmerising view of Dhauladhar mountain range
Together with all the accessories and food supply, we had a total weight of 40kg of our both rucksacks. 20 km Per sack.
The next morning after breakfast we left Solang. Roshan dropped us Dhundhi, from where our track started. The altitude of the Dhundhi is 2300 meters above sea level. At 10:30 in the morning, we started our trek towards our first camp.
It was difficult to climb with a heavy bag but still we reached Nuaali for 2 hours continuously without any break. Nuaali's height is 2700 meters. From here, the dangerous steep climb towards "Lady Leg camp" starts, which usually takes 2 hours to climb, but the training done for the last several days came in handy and we climb about 700 meters in just 30 minutes.
There was another team sitting on Lady Leg, who would summit two days later. We went ahead by saying the best of luck to both climbers. Today our target is the Summit Camp of Friendship Peak. The sun was strong and the air was very cold. Hiking on the climb did not cause much trouble, but heavy backpack crushed the shoulders perfectly.
Before the evening, we reached the summit camp where the altitude was 4400 meters. Immediately we pitched tent and after a while we made hot tea. On the first day we trekked 8.6 km with the ascent of 1700 meters. The night was very cold, the temperature was -10 degree at 9 o'clock.
In the backdrop of our tent you can see the Mount Friendship peak
Summit Day, Saturday 27th October 2018
We woke up at 3:15 in the morning and after all the preparations we left the camp at 4:34am. Today's goal is to reach Solang after summit the Friendship Peak.
The tiny me in front of my Love
For 2 hours, we kept wandering in the debris area. Snow began as soon as debris ended, which was with us till the summit. Now we were wearing crampons on snow shoes and slowly started moving towards the summit. We reached the shoulder of peak in 3 hours. So far, the sun's rays came out, but the temperature was rising rather than decreasing. Temperatures was -9.2 degree at 8 in the morning.
Summit effort
The altitude was gradually increasing and the depth of snow was also increasing. Finally, we reached the summit at 10:30 in the morning, avoiding all the crevasses. More than 100 peaks were visible from the summit and all was higher than 6000 meters.
Chasing the crevasses
The Mount Friendship Summit
The altitude of the Friendship Peak is 5272 meters and the summit is 4 km away from the camp. Hanuman Tibba, Shitidhar, Mukar Beh, Shikhar Beh, Manali Peak, Deo Tibba, Indrasan, Rohtang Pass, Gehpan Goh and many other countless mountain peaks were visible from here.
The Himalayan tales
Winter has come in the Himalayas and I have done my last summit of the season before covering the Himalayas in the snow. Well, I do not know anything yet, if I feel I can go somewhere else.
I hope this effort will get attention of adventures. Best wishes from Himalaya.
Love Nature,
Love Himalaya