Trekking to the base of Mt.Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world is an adventure in itself. But trekking to this very base in winters is a mountain lover’s wildest dream come true. There is a lot of misconception about trekking in the off-season, that it is dangerous, temperatures are unbearable or that the views are not the best. While there are seasons during which some trekking routes remain closed, there are routes that are open in the winters or off-season which typically refers to a time when the footfall of trekkers is lower.
This article looks at five reasons why the Goechala Trek must be attempted off-season, busting some myths and explaining a few facts along the way.
1. Have All of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Yourself
Goechala is undoubtedly a popular trek amongst trekking enthusiasts and sees its fair share of trekkers every year during the high season. In recent times, it has also been seeing a little too many trekkers given the mushrooming of trekking organisations in the country. If you want to experience Goechala in its pristine untouched version, the winters are a great time to attempt this trek. Imagine standing at the base of Mt.Kanchenjunga and admiring its grandiosity with no crowds in sight. It is a reminder of how far you have come from where you started and how little of this earth’s surface is known and accessible to humankind. Contrary to popular belief, trekking this route in the off-season is completely safe, although it might be a tad bit more challenging than the summer version.
2. The Clearest Skies
More often than not, people are of the impression that the views are not the best during off-season. That is absolutely not true and in fact, Goechala offers some of the most striking views with clear blue skies in the winters. The snow covered landscape is a winter wonderland and the views are nothing short of breathtaking. Clearer skies also mean a sure shot chance of seeing Kanchenjunga, given that she is the highlight of the trek. During the summer months, whether or not we get to see her is a matter of luck, depending on the weather conditions on that particular day. Trekking in winters is also famous on routes like Everest Base Camp because organisations promote the trails for their beauty and clear landscapes. Winter months are a bonanza in terms of the trail itself, no crowds and clear skies. Is there anything more a trekker could ask for?
3. Higher Summit Rates
Believe it or not, Goechala actually has a higher summit rate during the off-season than during the summer months. While it may be true that summit rates on Pangarchulla are lower during off-season given the erratic weather conditions, Goechala has shown the opposite results. Our off-season batches have seen a higher summit rate when compared to Goechala batches that run during the peak season.
4. No Leeches!
There is no dearth of leeches on the initial parts of the Goechala trail. Yuksom is infamous for its leech infested forests through which the trekking route runs. Leeches can prove to be quite a nuisance while trekking, they are on your gaiters, on your pants and sometimes even manage to make it inside. However, these nasty little things only survive in warm and moist climates. So trekking Goechala in the winters means no leeches and stress free walks through the forests!
5. Mountaineering Expedition Parading as a Trek
The winter version of Goechala gets you very close to experiencing what a mountaineering expedition is like without actually doing one. If you are someone who loves a challenge and wish to take your experience a notch higher, trekking Goechala in winters is just for you. It’s a more challenging version of the summer trek given the snow and lower temperatures but is also more rewarding than doing it in the summers!
So get out there and take that leap to trek Goechala in the winters, the mountains will reward your efforts and you will not be disappointed.
