GANGAPURNA EXPEDITION

What has dopamine got to do with climbing mountains? When dopamine is released by neurons in the ‘reward center’ of the brain, it generates a feeling of pleasure and well-being as well as increasing alertness. Mt. Gangapurna (7455m/24,457ft) in the Annapurna Himalayan range will do this for you, day after day as you continue higher and higher. The famous mountaineer George Mallory when asked why do people risk their lives to climb mountains? He replied, “Because it’s there,” The Land of Giants! Gangapurna is situated between Annapurna III (7555m) and Tarke Kang (7193 m) Base Camp, also known as Glacier Dome towering over the Manang Valley. At the summit, you can expect an adrenalin rush as you stare out over Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m) and Annapurna IV (7525m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tilicho Peak (7134m), and Manaslu (8156m). Climbing Gangapurna requires you are fit and an experienced climber. It is considered a difficult and challenging climb with snow and ice to traverse along with several technical sections. You should be familiar with the use of crampons, ice axes, harness, grappling ropes and other alpine climbing techniques. The trekking component takes you from Chame Village through the Marsyangdi Valley passing several traditional Tibetan Buddhist Manang villages. The villages exhibit numerous symbols of their faith that include monasteries (Gompa), prayer flags, and Mani stones (engraved with Tibetan symbols). Along the trail, you will have some fantastic views of several soaring peaks, such as Manaslu, Gangapurna, Lamjung, Annapurna II, IV, and other snow-covered peaks. At lower altitudes, you will pass through pine, fir and rhododendron forests prior to ascending to higher altitudes where the terrain is sparsely vegetated, arid and of rocky terrain (moraines).