THORUNG HIGH CAMP - Head start!

Reaching Thorung High camp is quite an achievement in itself so don't belittle yourself too much if somehow you feel sick and can't cross the Thorung-La. If everything is in order, then buckle up for the pass! There is only one lodge here and basically, the place is named after the lodge itself.

Spending the night here is perfectly fine if you have no symptoms of altitude sickness. Moreover, if you spend the night at High camp then it will be easier for you the next day when you finally push for the pass. Your trek time will be cut off by at least an hour (which is a lot at altitudes above 4000m). Also, make sure you get constant weather updates if you don't want to get caught up in bad weather during pass day. The news about the 2014 Thorung-La snowstorm disaster should give you enough motivation to do your research. While you are at Thorung High camp do take care of yourself by rehydrating your body with garlic soup and ORS. Take a look at our health section for more tips about Altitude sickness. Talking about safety make sure you either treat or boil the water as the sanitation isn't quite pleasing up here. And by now you should know the importance of getting constant weather updates. The locals are a very good source of information because they have been living up here for a long time and they know the behaviour of the winds and clouds up here.

There is a viewpoint towards the east of the lodge. It should be a good exercise to head towards this viewpoint following the cairns (stone stacks). The view is absolutely stunning. Awesome panoramic view of all the mountains will make you realize you are in the Himalayan wilderness. Make sure you check out our Mountain Finder to know more about the mountains that are seen from this viewpoint.

And just like at Thorung Phedi if you are really lucky then you could even see a snow leopard. In stark contrast, Blue Sheep is seen more frequently around High Camp.