Another January trekker

[Ruth]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone out there has trekked the cross country route from Manang to Jomsom to cut out the Thorung La pass. I want to do the Annapurna circuit trek but am concerned that the pass will be closed in January due to weather conditions. Has anyone done the trek at this time of year and got any feedback on this? Cheers, Ruth.

[Hira Dhamala]

Hi ! Ruth ,I am writting from Karnali Excursions. It is true that thorang la gets normally lots of snow fall in the month of Januray.Why not try Annpurna base camp and Kali gandaki valley trek till muktinath.You will enjoy beautifull view with diverse culure and land scape.
Thanks
Hira

[Hira Dhamala]

Hi ! Ruth ,I am writting from Karnali Excursions. It is true that thorang la gets normally lots of snow fall in the month of Januray.Why not try Annpurna base camp and Kali gandaki valley trek till muktinath.You will enjoy beautifull view with diverse culure and land scape.
Thanks
Hira

[andreées]

Hi Ruth,
waht do you mean by the cross country route between manang and jomson?
There ar only two possibilities, either going over Thorong la or going by the tilicho lake. The later is very difficult in January, there is much more snow than on Thorong la and it would mean a serious winter himalaya expedition, only for experientd montainiers.
Normaly Thorong la gets so much snow in the end of dezember, that it will be closed till mid february.
Like Hira Damala wrote, going to direccy to jomson would be a better idea, maybe combining it with ABC. You can not be sure to reach ABC in January, it may be also hidden under meters of snow ans then every thing is closed. But in many years it was still open.
If you fly to jomsom you need about 9-12 days, the ABC would be an other 8 -9 days.
Be prepared to come into the very, very cold.
Andrées