ANNAPURNA EXPEDITION

In 1950, a team of French climbers under the leadership of Maurice Herzog conquered Annapurna I, the highest of the four main summits. The Annapurna range includes Annapurna I at 8,091 m (26,545 ft), 13 peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft), and 16 peaks above 6,000 m (19,690 ft).   

The three years leading up to Mount Everest’s first successful ascent, it remained the world’s highest summit. Annapurna, meaning “full of food” in Sanskrit, is translated as “Goddess of the Harvest” in English. The mountain rises east of the Kali Gandaki Gorge, separating it from the Dhaulagiri Mountain range, 34 kilometers away. The gorge between the two peaks is considered Earth’s deepest.  

Annapurna South-side Expedition   

There are many routes across the Annapurna range open to climbers, so prospective mountaineers should plan their route carefully before starting to climb. Usually, this summit is reached by setting up three camps and following the West Face and Northwest Ridge, but other routes have also reached it. Although the number of fatalities on the Annapurna peaks has decreased in recent years, they remain some of the world’s most dangerous peaks.  

Annapurna south expedition (7219m) is a popular expedition in the Annapurna region. In Annapurna south, you can experience beautiful Himalayan views explore rhododendron forests, lush valleys, traditional villages and beautiful landscapes. It is possible to complete an Annapurna south expedition within four weeks of trekking and climbing. The south Annapurna expedition offers various routes, including the east to north route and the base camp side.   

Avalanches are uncommon on the South Face of Annapurna and are also a common route up Annapurna. The most important thing is getting back to Base Camp from the summit. Thus, for the Annapurna south expedition, you need to be physically fit and have climbing experience with the Himalayas.  

Nayapul/Phedi is the starting point for the south expedition on Mount Annapurna after an hour-and-a-half drive from Pokhara. On this expedition, you will explore off the beaten track, along remote mountain ridges, through exposed forests and visit traditional villages. During this classic trekking and expedition of Annapurna South, views of the Annapurna and the huge mass of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre accompany some truly spectacular campsites. You can trek through Ghorepani Poon Hill (one of the best viewing points in Annapurna region) or Ghandrung village – Nayapul after finishing the Annapurna south expedition.   

There are, however, fewer avalanches on the South Face of Annapurna. Mt. Annapurna 1 can be reached via this route. Comparatively, it is more challenging to descend from the summit than to ascend there. 

Annapurna Western Expedition

Even though Annapurna is one of the lower 8,000ers at 8,091m, the normal, north side route is notoriously hazardous due to the seracs and avalanches.   

When Maurice Herzog’s French team summited the peak, many of the pioneers suffered frostbite during their successful ascent, including summiteers Herzog and Louis Lachenal, who lost all their toes. Herzog also lost most of his fingers. Annapurna has attracted many historic mountaineering epics throughout history, highlighting both excellence and drama.   

Both the North Side and wild, enormous South Face saw leading climbs, extreme rescues, and numerous climbers perished, including Anatoli Boukreev, Iñaki Ochoa de Olza, and Park Yong-Seok. All expeditions until recently followed the French pioneer example by not using supplementary oxygen.  

The route begins with a grueling 70-meter climb two hours after Base Camp. Seracs fall here, constituting a major hazard. The climbing from Camp I to Camp II is slightly less steep and avalanche-prone, but still extremely tricky. The switchback route from Camp 2 to Camp 3 crosses a snowfield between the broken glacier’s seracs.  

While some expeditions establish four camps, others only establish three. Fixed sections also vary in number and length.  

Even for seasoned high-altitude climbers, the mountain was a difficult challenge, and relatively few actually ascended to the summit. However, in recent years many more summits have been achieved, partly thanks to well-sustained expeditions, bigger Sherpa teams that fix the route ahead of time, and supplemental oxygen, which makes the climbs faster (and therefore safer).  

In 2019, 23 climbers obtained Annapurna permits, a number that has increased significantly over the years. Likewise, the Nepalese Department of Tourism has approved permits for two expeditions, each with an average of 15 non-Nepalis.  

How Much Does It Cost To Summit Annapurna ?

A trip’s cost will vary based on the number of people in the group, the type of hotel accommodation, and the mountain facilities you wish for. In terms of the cost of an expedition, peak climbing is operated with both full package arrangements and basic arrangements (full board or base camp service).  

Itineraries may be altered after an agreement between the agency and client is reached. Prior to processing the trip, the client may request to add or decrease additional activities. It may be possible to deduct the price of reduced activities and add new activities in mutual agreement.  

Many different factors can affect the cost of a travel experience, including the number of climbing guides, porters, kitchen crew, and the mode of transportation. In addition to climbers and non-climbers, support staff, doctors, and Alpine climbing guides affect costs. Climbers generally climb the Himalayas in the spring and autumn. The cost of mountain climbing permits royalties in autumn is about 50% lower compared to the spring season. In general, the cost of an Annapurna Expedition consisting of 2-12 people should range from $15,500 up to $25,000.  

What is the Best Season to Climb Annapurna ?

Nepal has four seasons, autumn (Sept to Nov), winter (Dec to Feb) , spring (March to May) and storms (June to Aug). Mountain evenings can be chilly in the fall, but the splendid sunshine makes for pleasant temperatures during the day. At higher elevations, temperatures may range from around 20°C to -10°C around evening time. The sky is usually clear in the morning and then mists form throughout the day, revealing staggering starry skies at night.  

Passes in the winter season are generally closed, including Thorong-La, Dhaulagiri circuit, Tilicho (Musukanta Pass) in Annapurna trekking, among others. It is best to make a short and simple trek to the center slopes at this time. Due to heavy snow, trails become impassable during January, February, and March.    

Annapurna Expedition is considered to be the best climbed between September and November and March and May. Despite this being a challenging and dangerous mountain to rise, the number of people exploring and summiting it is on the increase every year. Annapurna South Peak is best climbed in autumn and spring, but guides can customize a trip to accommodate mountaineers’ needs and holiday schedules.  

Annapurna Expedition Difficulty   

Due to its technical nature, Annapurna has a low ratio of fatalities to summits. Attempting an 8000m peak like Annapurna is a severe adventure, making it one of the most difficult peaks in the world. In the future, there is hope that a new route will be used for climbing that will be the safest and most effective. Annapurna’s South Face includes some of the steepest and largest slopes on earth.  

Annapurna’s massif cliffs are technical; it is quite a dangerous climb. As climbers and mountaineers attempt to scale a mountain, they have to contend with rugged terrain, massif cliffs, slippery surfaces, and snowy cliffs. Mt. ANPRANURNA is often said to be one of the world’s most dangerous summits due to the high mountain climbing techniques required to climb over the massif cliffs, snow and ice barriers. 

Is Annapurna harder to climb than Everest ?   

Mount Annapurna is not especially difficult in terms of technical skill compared to Everest. With the exception of the altitude, it would be an easy climb. Some routes up Everest are much more difficult, less frequented, and are just climbed by climbers, such as the west face.  

Annapurna is still in the death zone, as avalanches so plague it, just as all of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters. Avalanches can sweep away trees, rocks, and other materials along their paths. Furthermore, depending on how sloppy the terrain is, they can move at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. It is a mountain range climbed by elite climbers, with no Sherpas and no fixed ropes.  

Altitude is indeed difficult, but combining length with actual technical climbing makes it even more challenging. With better gear and better forecasts, Everest has become safer and safer.  

Why is Annapurna so hard to climb ?  

Annapurna is not the only high altitude but also has unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, avalanches, and its life-threatening risk. It is a steep climb from the base camp to the highest peak, and under harsh weather conditions, it is nearly impossible.  

High-speed winds are common in the area. It is more likely to rain during the summer than during the other seasons, but it can also rain at any time, making visibility very poor even in the most favorable weather conditions. In adverse weather, people are at risk of hypothermia, slips, falls, and other hazardous conditions.  

Furthermore, the difficulties of Mt Annapurna Expedition depend on these common factors:  

• Unpredictable Weather Condition  
• Cold Temperature   
• Physical Fitness  
• Basic Mountaineering Training and Skills for Climbing 
• Trek Route
• High Altitude Sickness  
• Clothing and Equipment  
• Distance covered

In essence, all the above factors contribute to another major aspect; accessibility. In the event of an emergency, some areas of Annapurna are difficult to access due to the high altitude, unpredictable weather, rough terrain, and frequent avalanches.    

Annapurna Altitude Profile