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Intelligence
Season & Weather Guide
Best Time for Bara Bhangal Grand Traverse Expedition — Month-by-Month Guide
Pass Window
When is it climbable?
Pass Crossing Window
Early Start
03:00 AM
Lightning Risk
July & August
May-June (pre-monsoon) and September-October (post-monsoon) offer the most stable conditions for this dual-pass traverse. May and June feature significant snow coverage requiring careful crevasse navigation, while September-October offer clear skies and bare ice. Mid-summer monsoon months must be avoided due to dangerous river crossings.
Season at a Glance
Editor's Notes
September is the only month where BOTH glaciers are stable and the Ravi river is low enough to safely cross. Do not deviate from this window.
Month by Month
What each month looks like
January
Conditions
Extreme winter conditions with severe blizzards.
Crowds
none
Sub-zero temperatures and high avalanche risk on high passes.
Closed. Extreme winter conditions.
February
Conditions
Extreme winter conditions with deep snow accumulation.
Crowds
none
Sub-zero temperatures and high avalanche risk on high passes.
Closed. Extreme winter conditions.
March
Conditions
Early season with deep, unconsolidated snow.
Crowds
none
Deep unconsolidated snow completely buries the route and increases avalanche risk.
Early season. Deep snow accumulations.
April
Conditions
Heavy lingering snow on Kalihani and Thamsar passes.
Crowds
none
Unconsolidated snow completely buries the route and increases avalanche risk.
Early season. Deep snow accumulations.
May
RecommendedConditions
Transitional month. Significant snow remains on Kalihani and Thamsar passes.
Crowds
low
Prime pre-monsoon window. Good snow stability.
June
RecommendedConditions
Pre-monsoon warmth begins melting snow, requiring careful navigation of snow bridges over crevasses.
Crowds
low
Prime pre-monsoon window. Good snow stability.
July
Conditions
Heavy monsoon rainfall affects the region.
Crowds
none
Heavy rainfall causes dangerous water levels for river crossings in the upper Ravi river basin and increases rockfall.
Monsoon danger. Landslides and severe rains.
August
Conditions
Heavy monsoon rainfall affects the region.
Crowds
none
Heavy rainfall causes dangerous water levels for river crossings in the upper Ravi river basin and increases rockfall.
Monsoon danger. Landslides and severe rains.
September
RecommendedConditions
Clear skies and stable weather for the glacier traverses.
Crowds
low
Crystal clear skies. Best visibility of the year.
October
RecommendedConditions
Clear skies and stable weather, though temperatures drop sharply late in the month.
Crowds
low
Crystal clear skies. Best visibility of the year.
November
Conditions
Rapid temperature drop and onset of winter.
Crowds
none
Severe cold and winter snowfall make the dual-pass traverse extremely hazardous.
Winter setting in. Sub-zero temperatures rapid.
December
Conditions
Extreme winter conditions with severe blizzards.
Crowds
none
Sub-zero temperatures and high avalanche risk on high passes.
Closed. Extreme winter conditions.
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