Mount Kang Yatze / Yatse a twin summit mountain, located in the beautiful Markha Valley of Leh-Ladakh. It is a lesser known and less scaled mountain in comparison to other equal altitude ones. The eastern side peak of this mountain is Mount Kang Yatse I and the western side peak is Mount Kang Yatse II where the Mount I is higher with 6240 M and Mount II is lower with 6400 M. Here trekkers often choose Mt Kang Yatse II as the other one is difficult to climb because of edgy traverse. The abode of mountain Hemis National Park comprises green meadows along with barren and Rocky Mountains. The trail passes through this region only where you’ll also see, boundless valley where yaks will be grazing, remote villages of Markha Valley introducing the local culture and some oldest monasteries.
The journey starts from Leh city where you’ll be staying for next 2-3 days. The purpose of staying will be acclimatization, medical check-ups and permit to climb from local authorities of Leh. The temperature here varies in day and night so we’ll suggest you to keep warm clothes. Winters are pretty bone chilling, where all day temperature goes beyond 0 degree Celsius. So, the best to visit Leh -Ladakh will be from June to September. Then to start the trek you have to drive to chilling village which is nearly 60 kms from Leh. This journey will be a treat to eyes as the whole valley is surrounded by high rocky and snowy mountains. After Chilling we have to reach skiu where we have our campsite and stay for the night.
Through the initial journey of this trek you’ll be experiencing the local culture and religion. There will also be some old beautiful monasteries on way where you can rest for some time. This day you’ll reach to the most admired village of the valley, Markha village. The valley is named after this village which has mesmerizing meadows where you might see yaks. After the overnight stay at Markha the trail goes little longer till next camp site, Tachungtse. This camping site situated to the higher side of the valley at 4376 m where it goes little difficult as the altitude ascends.
Nimaling is quiet famous camping site of this region as the people who just visit for Markha Velly trek they hike till this place. It’s a beautiful plain land surrounded by huge mountains. After this till reaching the base camp of Mt Kang Yatze the difficulty level increases a little. You’ll be walking upwards on loose rocky surface. Once you reach at the high ridge, you’ll have the complete view of Mt Kang Yatze and then moving down to the river and crossing it for the camps.
After reaching the base camp, the usual itineraries reserve 3-4 days for summit only as the weather is completely unpredictable here. Otherwise as well there is the need to rest and get acclimatized for climbing the summit. During these days instructors plan training and practice sessions on Kang Yatze glacier for the usage of ropes, anchors, crampons, axes etc. Then the night before scaling the summit should be early as the trekking starts in midnight. It easily takes about 6-8 hrs to reach summit where the trail goes through tough ridges that are covered with snow. Though the trail is well marked but sometimes unpredictable weather makes the expedition difficult. But after reaching the summit the view releases all the pain and tiredness. It is incomparable beautiful naked valley of Zanskar where clouds are floating on the top. After cherishing the view, start descending to the base camp to reach back on time and rest overnight.
After the summit base camp we’ll be heading to our new campsite Chuskimro via Nimaling and passing Kangmaru La (5260 m) a pass with spectacular view of Mt Kang Yatze and Indus River. Then the last trail will be till Chokdo where vehicle will be waiting to drive back to Leh hotel.
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