Dhaulagiri, the White Mountain was first
climbed by the Swiss in 1960. Its name is
derived from Sanskrit “Dhavala- meaning
white” and Giri meaning mountain – The
White Mountain. It is an enormous Himalaya
massif located in the North Central Nepal.
It was first sighted by the British surveyors
in India in the early 1800s and it was considered
as the highest peak in the world till 1848
AD. Later, it was mapped by one of the secret
Indian surveyors in 1873 AD. But the region
remained largely unknown until a Swiss aerial
survey in 1949. The French Annapurna Expedition,
led by Mr Herzog in 1950, had permission
to climb either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna but
decided on Annapurna after a reconnaissance
of Dhaulagiri. A Swiss team failed to climb
in 1953 as did an Argentine group one year
later.
After four more expeditions, an eight member
of a Swiss expedition reached the summit
in 1960. The climb followed a circuitous
route around the mountain from Tukuche, over
Dhampus pass, French Col to approach the
summit from the North – East Col. The
peak was then climbed by two Japanese in
1970s, the American in 1973 and the Italians
in 1976. There has been many attempts made
by various mountaineering expedition team
and recently an Italian team has successfully
climbed the mountain during spring season
2006. The Indian climbers have many grand
successful climbing to Nepal Himalayas peaks
in the recent past but they have not climb
Dhaulagiri as yet.
This is the perfect trip for those who want
a more intense experience of the mountains.
You will trek deep into the Dhaulagiri region,
providing more spectacular views of Mt Dhaulagiri,
Throng Peak, Annapurna I and Kali Gandaki,
the world’s deepest gorge. We may encounter
semi wild yak herds, Mountain sheep or the
elusive snow leopard in the remote valleys
of this region.
After a short flight from Kathmandu, Pokhara & Jomsom,
you will spend the first few days of our
walking through cultivated fields connecting
mountain villages, enjoying the shops, tea
houses and lifetime of the Gurung, Chhetri,
Magar peoples. You will walk along cobblestone
paths, over suspensions bridges and through
dense forests, taking in the vistas of some
of the world’s most beautiful mountains.
We will continue to explore and fully absorb
the beauty of the surrounding peaks. We will
climb over the glaciated French pass and
Dhampus pass and then descend a winding trail
to Yak Kharka. You will continue through
mountain villages, enjoying the Hot Springs
at the Tatopani and views of the majestic
peaks of the Annapurna (26539?) and Machhapuchhare
(22937?) as we make our way toward Pokhara,
visiting several Monasteries and religious
sites en route.
