The Mustang District Administration Office has asked trekkers not to use five popular high-altitude trekking routes that connect the district with neighbouring areas, citing heavy snowfall since Tuesday night.
Following the snowfall, trekking has been suspended on the Saribung Pass, that connects popular tourist spot Mustang with Manang, the Meso Kundo Pass, the Thorong La Pass, the Yakkhark route linking Mustang with Dolpa, and the Dhaulagiri trekking route’s Dhamphus Peak section connecting Myagdi and Mustang. Every year thousands of people enter into Mustang district lying near the snow mountain mainly to visit Muktinath Temple.
These routes lie at extreme elevations and known as highly risky during snowfall.
Yakkhark stands at around 5,800 metres above sea level, Thorong La Pass at 5,400 metres, Saribung Pass at 6,000 metres, and Dhamphus Peak at 5,100 metres, according to the district administration office.
Heavy snowfall has been reported in Mustang’s upper Himalayan regions, including the Dhamphus Peak area along the Dhaulagiri trekking route. Trekking routes entering Mustang from three neighbouring districts had become extremely dangerous due to piling up of snow, informed Chief District Officer Ajita Sharma
“We have received information that snow has accumulated up to four feet in some trekking routes. Rescue operations would be extremely difficult if tourists get stranded,” she added.
Although trekkers often attempt the Thorong La Pass even in January-February under the Annapurna Circuit, the Saribung Pass linking the Damodarkunda area of Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality-4 in Upper Mustang with the Nar-Phu Valley of Manang, is considered the most hazardous.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged travelers to check weather forecasts before planning the journey, as rainfall accompanied by snow has affected daily life in the region.