Monday, March 21, 2016

Yading Big Kora preparations

I'm due to be landing in Daocheng around the 12th of June, flying in from Chengdu. This is a first for me as I've usually taken the bus in via Kangding and Litang. But with limited time, I'm hoping I will not be too much affected by the sudden arrival at altitude.
My other concern is finding a guide to help me round the mountain. I don't actually need a guide - I know the way pretty well by now ... but to help my carry my gear and provide protection. I hope I can find somebody good - not like the clowns we hired last time, who didn't know the way beyond the second day and didn't bring tents or sleeping bags. It's hard to find guides in May/June because it's the caterpillar fungus collecting season. The locals can make more money from chongcao than from guiding. Maybe I will just have to go it alone - which is a bit of an ask at my age. Ah well, we shall see.
It's been five years since my last trip and I hope there haven't been too many other ugly developments around the Yading site. Last time I was shocked to find that an eyesore of a concrete  road had been laid all the way up tranquil Luorong pasture to accomodate the electric golf buggy-style tourist transport carriers. With a bit of luck there still won't be any of the hordes beyond the 5000 first pass.
The picture above shows the stone 'bothy' above Luorong at the beginning of the ascent  to the first pass. This is intended to be my first night's stay.

UPDATE: I corrected this post to show that I'll be trekking in June, not July. The rainy season starts in mid June - by July it will be overcast and wet at Yading - not good for trekking.

3 comments:

omer said...

Hi Michael,
Do you think the weather will still be good at mid July?

Peter said...

Hi Michael, Really great write-ups on your site here! I read some of your Yading trip reports last fall and it really motivated me to try out a solo trek around the small kora in November. Had a good time, perfect weather and views. I'm tempted to head back there and the big kora seems like a nice adventure, just a bit wary about rain during the summer- I know it can be hit or miss on how bad conditions can get. Sounds like you will make a go of it without local guides? ..I Don't blame ya. If you want to make some comparisons on how things have changed since your last trip (five years ago?), have a look at my Yading trip report. I linked to several of your blog pages in my article as well: http://www.knowmadicnews.com/2016/01/15/yading-nature-reserve-former-stronghold-of-bandit-monks-current-trekkers-paradise/

mutikonka said...

Hi Guys, yes going back in June, not July. Hope the weather is gentle and the route is not too busy.