Summit Window

When is it climbable?

Summit Weather Window

Severe from November through winter

Alpine Start

01:00 AM – 09:00 AM

Avoid afternoon wind deterioration and high temperatures melting snow bridges.

Forecast Source

Meteoblue / Mountain-Forecast

Verify satellite forecasting reports before final summit push.

Conditions by Month

May

30 km/h
4 rain days

Jun

25 km/h
6 rain days

Oct

40 km/h
2 rain days

Sep

35 km/h
4 rain days

Lightning Risk

July & August

May-June (pre-monsoon) and September-October (post-monsoon) offer consolidated snow and stable skies for the technical West Ridge and steep ice headwall. The July-August monsoon must be avoided due to heavy rains, landslide risks on approach roads, and active bergschrund hazards.

Season at a Glance

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak
Recommended
Shoulder
Closed

Editor's Notes

Editor's Insight

May-June offers consolidated snow corridors, while September-October post-monsoon offers stable skies but extremely cold summit temperatures.

Month by Month

What each month looks like

January

Conditions

Extreme winter conditions.

Crowds

none

Sub-zero blizzard conditions, high winter avalanche risk, and impassable deep snow on the technical ridge.

-35C to -20CSnow: Very HighSky Clarity:

Closed. Extreme winter conditions.

February

Conditions

Extreme winter conditions.

Crowds

none

Sub-zero blizzard conditions, high winter avalanche risk, and impassable deep snow on the technical ridge.

-33C to -18CSnow: Very HighSky Clarity:

Closed. Extreme winter conditions.

March

Conditions

Deep unconsolidated snow.

Crowds

none

High winter avalanche risk and impassable deep snow on the technical ridge.

-28C to -13CSnow: HighSky Clarity:

Early season. Deep snow accumulations.

April

Conditions

Deep unconsolidated snow.

Crowds

none

High winter avalanche risk and impassable deep snow on the technical ridge.

-24C to -9CSnow: HighSky Clarity:

Early season. Deep snow accumulations.

May

Recommended

Conditions

Consolidated snow cover, excellent visibility, and stable weather.

Crowds

low

-20C to -5CSnow: MediumSky Clarity:

Prime pre-monsoon window. Good snow stability.

June

Recommended

Conditions

Consolidated snow cover, excellent visibility, and stable weather.

Crowds

low

-17C to -2CSnow: MediumSky Clarity:

Prime pre-monsoon window. Good snow stability.

July

Conditions

Monsoon downpours. Active landslides. Crevasse hazards.

Crowds

none

Heavy monsoon rains, landslide risks on approach roads, and active bergschrund hazards.

-15C to -4CSnow: LowSky Clarity:

Monsoon danger. Landslides and severe rains.

August

Conditions

Monsoon downpours. Active landslides. Crevasse hazards.

Crowds

none

Heavy monsoon rains, landslide risks on approach roads, and active bergschrund hazards.

-16C to -5CSnow: LowSky Clarity:

Monsoon danger. Landslides and severe rains.

September

Recommended

Conditions

Consolidated snow cover, excellent visibility, and stable weather.

Crowds

low

-20C to -7CSnow: LowSky Clarity:

Crystal clear skies. Best visibility of the year.

October

Recommended

Conditions

Consolidated snow cover, excellent visibility, and stable weather.

Crowds

low

-25C to -11CSnow: LowSky Clarity:

Crystal clear skies. Best visibility of the year.

November

Conditions

Winter onset.

Crowds

none

Sub-zero extreme temperatures and severe jet stream impact on the summit headwall.

-30C to -16CSnow: HighSky Clarity:

Winter setting in. Sub-zero temperatures rapid.

December

Conditions

Extreme winter conditions.

Crowds

none

Sub-zero blizzard conditions, high winter avalanche risk, and impassable deep snow on the technical ridge.

-34C to -19CSnow: Very HighSky Clarity:

Closed. Extreme winter conditions.

Photography & Light Conditions

Sunrise Spot

Summit ridge / high camp looking east.

Recommended Lenses

16-35mm wide angle70-200mm telephoto

Astrophotography

10/10Milky Way: may, jun, jul, aug, sep

Drones not permitted

Requires DGCA permission; usually restricted due to close proximity to borders.

Sub-zero temperatures rapidly draining batteries. Keep devices in inner clothing pockets.

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