MANIRANG Expedition (6593 m)

Region: Spiti.

 Total Duration                       18 Nights / 19 Days          

 Style of Trip                          Climbing.

 Grade                                    Moderate to Difficult.

 Maximum Altitude                 6593 m./ 21625 ft.

Best Season                         June to October

 Accommodation                   Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite

 Food                                    On Expedition– All meals included

Manirang is one of the highest mountains in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on the border between Kinnour and Lahaul and Spiti district. Among the High altitude passes in the Himalayan region of Spiti valley, Manirang Pass is regarded as the most remote and hard even today.  This pass is reckoned to be one of the least explored mountain passes in the Indian Himalaya. Mount Manirang (Altitude: 6593 mtr. / 21625.04 ft) is known as the crown of the Spiti valley, is a ultimate challenge for the mountaineers. Close to the peak is the high Manirang pass, the Manirang Pass is located at an altitude of 5550 m, one of the shortest connectors in between Kinnaur and Spiti. Which was one of the early trade routes between Spiti and Kinnaur, before the motor able road was built. Trek starts from Kaza and passes through Sapena, Manirang Pass, Rankali and Pankit lands in Rupa village.The whole region is situated in the rain shadow area and more or less lies dry other than winter. The undulating terrain is very harsh comprising of boulders, marine and difficult to access without a proper guide due to sheer remoteness. Weather conditions vary during the period of expedition.

The trek starts from Mane a small village further from Kaza in Spiti  ,  after trekking around two hours we reach near Yang Tso. We establish camp there. We start for Base camp through a vast field then cross a stream. After crossing the stream we start to negotiate a gradual slope keeping stream on our right. It is a long march. We establish our Base camp on the right bank of the stream. Over night we spent at Base camp. We will take rest at BC that our body gets used to the altitude and the atmosphere. After acclimatizing and having rest, we move for load ferry to Camp-I. After sometime we cross the stream and start moving through a gradual slope keeping the stream on our left, then we again cross the stream and reach on moraine zone on the right bank after three hours of trek. We dump our load there and return to BC. On next day we move for Camp-I. We establish our Camp-I at an altitude of 5200 m. The other day we start for load ferry to Camp-II. First we move following the right bank of the stream. After a while we start to negotiate a vast boulder field then stiff slope of scree and dump our stuff there, then return back to camp-I. In the morning we move for Camp-II. We establish our Camp-II at an altitude of 5200 m. Manirang Pass is clearly visible from this campsite. We start ferrying load to Camp-III. First we move following the ice field of the glacier towards Manirang pass. After a while we start to negotiate a stiff slope of moraine. Reaching on the pass we again start to negotiate a stiff loose boulder slope.  We leave our load there and return back. On the following day we ascend for recee and rope fixing towards summit route following the rock face. We climb the rock face and fix rope the entire route, then reach on the top of the rock face after three hours and return to summit camp. The route is very difficult due to loose rocks on the face. It could cause injury anytime by rock fall to anyone.

In early morning move for summit attempt. We will climb over the rock and ice mixed slope following the fixed rope. After gaining the ridge we start climbing through gradual snow slope. After a while we will be at a rock and ice mix zone towards summit. The climbing on the last portion is tiring and challenging. On the summit.the weather condition is not often clear and depends on luck. We will offer puja and take photographs at summit. We pray to the almighty at summit. At the top of the peak you will be busy to enjoy your hardships during the expedition as well as to take photographs of 360’ surroundings. We start to return back following the same route and reach summit camp. We spend the night at summit camp. Return back to base camp and so on to Mane village. Return to Kaza then Kaza to Manali by taxi.