Selected photos of Lunana Snowman trek in Bhutan (September 2011)

I have added below a selection of photos from The Mountain Company's 2011 Lunana Snowman trek in Bhutan:

Photo: Taktsang (Tiger's nest) monastery near Paro

Photo: Mount Chomolhari

Photo: Mount Jitchu Drake

Photo: herd of blue sheep

Photo: approach to Ngele La

Photo: Lingshi camp

Photo: Lingshi dzong (damaged from recent earthquake)

Photo: camp below Tiger mountain

Photo: Laya village

Photo: women dancing in Laya village

Photo: view from Karchung La (entry into Lunana)

Photo: summit of Karchung La at 5.240m

Photo: valley near Tarina

Photo: lake near Kesha La

Photo: camp near Lhedi village

Photo: view of Lunana valley

Photo: farmhouse in Thanza village

Photo: wall paintings in Thanza

Photo: cordyceps sinesis (caterpillar fungus)

Photo: Lunap woman

Photo: camp near Tshorim lake

Photo: yaks near Tshorim lake

Photo: valley near Gwechewoma

Photo: view from Phorang La to Mischugang camp

Photo: Worithang camp

Photo: yaks carrying our gear

Photo: forest and waterfally near Dur Tsachu

Photo: our wonderful crew at the end of the trek

Please also take a look at photos of our 2008 Lunana Snowman trek:

Photos (1): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (2): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (3): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (4): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (5): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (6): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Photos (7): 2008 Lunana Snowman trek

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Our September/ October 2011 Lunana Snowman group successfully complete this trek across northern Bhutan

Photo: Mount Jitchu Drake

Photo: loading yaks at Worithang camp

I arrived back to Kathmandu yesterday with our 2011 Lunana Snowman group after being lucky enough to lead this trek for the second time, my first Snowman was in September 2008- click here to read 2008 Snowman trip report.

Our itinerary is the complete Snowman trek starting in Paro and finishing in Bumthang taking twenty eight days and crossing fourteen mountain passes over 4,500m. There is no doubt in my mind this is one of the most beautiful and remote treks in the world.

Overall the trek went very well we were lucky with the weather enjoying settled sunny conditions for most of the time and very little snow on the passes, I will post some of the photos onto TMC blog later on. I will also write a detailed trip report when I get back to Kathmandu after my Mera Peak Expedition starting in a few days time.

Photo: Punakha dzong

Congratulations and well done to all fourteen members of our group who successfully completed this challenging trek across northern Bhutan. Of course none of this would be possible without our wonderful Bhutanese crew who worked very hard and looked after us well throughout this long trek. Kahdinche (Bhutanese thanks) to Dawa (Sirdar), Tashi (guide), Tsering (guide), Tenzing (cook) and helpers Karma, Pema, Dogguy and Nima. Many thanks also to Kinley Tshering and Wangmo based in the office in Thimphu for all their help organising the logistics of this trek.

The Mountain Company is planning to organise Lunana Snowman trek in Bhutan in September/ October 2012 please get in touch soon if you would like to join this group.

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk