Avalanches???

[Katinkaowen]

I have heard that there is significant danger of avalanches along the route to the Annapurna Sanctuary between Doban and Machhapuchhare Base Camp. Is this unlikely in April?? Don't fancy this myself ;)
cheers
Katinka x

[Trekman]

Namaste!

March 25 2001
Four missing after avalanche hit
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2001/march/arc200.htm


March 28 2001
Bodies of two missing Australians found
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2001/march/arc201.htm


Snow Avalanche Incidents
http://www.csac.org/Incidents/
http://www.csac.org/Incidents/list.php?fromyear=2000&frommonth=01&fromday=01&toyear=2005&tomonth=02&today=28&country=Nepal&activity=%25&Submit=Submit

Good fortune!

[andrees*]

Yes, , April is one of the most dangerous month on this trail as the spring sun warms up the snow on hiunchulis est-slopes.
But there are some basic precautions which can diminish this risk .
See more on my website
http://www.nepal-dia.de/int__England/EV_Annapurna/EB_ABC/eb_abc.html

greetings Andrées

[yakshaver]

March is a time where avalanches have killed people on the Himalaya Lodge to Machapuchare BC (more specifically Hinku Cave to Deorali) part of the ABC trek. However these are not everyday occurences. Having an experienced guide with you and takling to the locals (lodge owners at Himalaya or Dovan etc) will definitely help. Avalanches don't come out of nowhere. Snow acumulated on the top of Hiunchuli can drop on the trail in a couple of places. However the locals, and your guide, have a pretty good idea when the conditions are prone to avalaches. Most of the times if you leave Himalaya Lodge early enough the snow is usually stable above you because of the cold. Also a good guide can find a way on the oposite side of the Modi Khola, where the danger is much less. Again, this should not be a show stopper. If it's your first time on trek make sure you have a knowledgeable guide you can trust. Talk to the locals in the morning as you leave the lodge.