Day 1: Manali Arrival

The squad will arrive in Manali by 11 a.m. today. The day is crucial not just because we’ll be able to acclimate, but also because we’ll need to gather as a team to obtain some expedition permits. About the fact that IMF lists Friendship Peak as a trekking peak, the current procedure developed by IMF in the Manali area requires that the team have an intimation as well as copies of all participants’ and guide’s ID proofs. For trekking in the upper Himalayan stretches, the IMF has established a regional office in Manali. We’ll require two more licenses, one from BRO and the other from SDM, once we receive this intimation from the IMF regional office. Only these two permits are required to drive on the road between Solang Nala and Dhundi. If we do not get these two permits, we will hike from Solang Nala to Dhundi, a 7-kilometer walk along the river’s edge. Team members stay in a shared hotel in Manali and spend some quality time together in the evenings preparing for the next day and get a greater understanding of one another.

Day 2: From Manali towards Dhundi to Bakkarthatch, a 21km trek

Today, we leave early in the morning in a car for Dhundi, arriving at 8 a.m. Today, mules will transport our common luggage and rations to Bakkarthatch, where we will set up base camp. Today’s hike is relatively straightforward, with a gradual incline. In Dhundi, we pass across 3-4 fixed camps where “sailanis” should be visible during the year. The trail begins on the real left bank of the Beas River, which runs parallel to the trail during the day. We soon come to a wooden bridge with no “railings.” If you have a fear of water, this bridge maybe a little scary for you. We continue walking along the lush green path on the real right bank of the Beas River from here.

Day 3: From Bakarthatch towards ABC at Lady Leg

We’ll get up at 6.30 a.m. today because we need to get to ABC early for camp set-up and to practice Snowcraft. We arrive at our camp early enough, about 11.30 a.m., after a light breakfast, to have a hot lunch there. We’ll now set up the team’s camps here and take a short break for a couple of hours. Since AMS sets in quickly, no sleep is recommended as early as now. If the weather permits, we will switch our Snowcarft to the snow stretches in front of the campsite in the afternoon. Today, we’ll discover a few important things – On thick snow, ascending and falling, Using an ice axe as a temporary anchor, ice axe self-arrest, roping up, and using advanced mountaineering equipment

Day 4: From Load ferry towards Camp 1

We’ll transport our summit loads to Camp 1 today. This will help us achieve our acclimatization goals. We’ll stay at Camp 1 for a while before returning to ABC in the evening.

Day 5: Acclimatization Day and Move towards Camp 1 Distance 2 Km

The morning of the day is set aside for practicing the craft we learned the day before. In the afternoon, we’ll start heading towards our Summit Camp. The hike to the Summit Camp, where we set up our tents, is just about an hour long. We climb a little higher from the big hum, where we set up our Summit camp for acclimatization, and then descend to the Summit Camp to rest. If there isn’t enough snow, Summit Camp could be set up higher. The aim is to reduce the amount of time it takes to reach the summit.

Day 6: From Summit Attempt and back towards Base Camp

This is the day we’ve all been waiting for to put together this display! We begin about 2 a.m., fully equipped with snow boots, gaiters, harness, helmet, and head torch. Around 9 or 10 a.m., one could arrive at the summit. Celebrate your achievement and take photos, but keep in mind that the Summit’s platform isn’t very broad. It’s crucial to arrive early (around 10 a.m.) so the return journey is also long. The descent would become impossible once the snow became slushy. Fix rope is needed once more when climbing down to the shoulder. When we near our Summit Camp, we catch our breath and get a bite to eat. We immediately dismantle our tents and make our way to the ABC. We will switch to Base Camp on the same day if the squad has enough stamina after the celebratory lunch at ABC. The descent will only take 2 – 3 hours, and the luxury of Basecamp could be very appealing!

Day 7: From Base Camp towards Dhundi to Manali

From the Basecamp, we retrace our steps back to Dhundi and take a vehicle to Manali. The evening has been set aside for a grand Summit party in which we will all dress up as Dutch people.