With no new snow since the 2m dump and the sun scary warm for the heart of winter, it was time to get up a bit higher (for latest exploits since we arrived in Solang, please see the post below as this is a 2 post night!). I was mostly interested in learning what the snowpack and conditions were like up high, but of course wanted to have the summit attempt possible. So at 4:30 a.m., the gringo ski touring team of Em, myself, Kelly, and Joe met outside our hotel and started the methodical march up Patalsu (photos). The stars were out and we made great progress by the time the eastern horizon started lighting up.

Without climbing a bunch since arriving, Em and I were both impressed with how well good we felt. Joe has been skiing around Solang for almost a month and I knew his excitement for the top was a real possibility. Above treeline, with Kelly feeling "knackered" and Em knowing there will be plenty of days to summit Patalsu when she is better acclimatized to altitude, we decided to split into two groups. We all trudged another 300 m into the alpine together before I gave Em our first public kiss in India (yeehaa) and Joe and I departed them at around 3600m. The sun was on us as Patalsu's ascent/descent is south to southwest facing, but still not too damaging. The skinning continued to be fast on top of a firm snowpack. Taking one final break at 3900 m, we skinned to a most beautiful summit a little after noon. The summit was a 1 m wide ridge caked in snow and quite perfect for a small group.

The views were truly amazing. In most big ranges I visit, the expectations can sometimes falsely minimize the vastness of the surrounding peaks. There was nothing minimal about the mountains in all directions around us. With the vegetation primarily ending in the Kullu Valley where we are staying, the high plateau to the north was caked in whiteness while the steep southern side of the Solang Valley presented mean rock and hanging glaicers. Hanuman Tibba at the end of the Solang Valley was in view all day and never lost our respect. Looking south towards Hampta and Jagatsukh valleys, it was relieving to know that even with the currently low snowpack, the alpine still boasts tons of great skiing.

Not only is it a novelty to ski to the true summit of a 4200m peak, but also quite special to make powder turns off the top. Thank you altitude. After enjoying some winter powder, we experienced a brief section of a thin crust before it softened to give us almost 800m of easy spring turns. Large. While feeling great on the ascent, it was tough to make more than 15 turns without losing my breath.

After a steep skin over a ridge disecting the main face we skied and our ascent route, Joe and I met back up with Em and Kelly. Fearing they had waited longer than desired and would be a little upset that the remaining 500m of skiing might be too soft, we were pleasantly thrilled that they were more than content chillin in the Himalayan alpine under the warm Indian sun and even encouraged us to take a good break. After some soft slush through beautifully spaced trees, we booted down through the old village of Solang and over the bridge back to our hotel. Bahut bahut accha!!!

Labels: India, Kullu Valley, ski touring, Solang