Nepal's Imja-tse (Island
Peak) 20,305 ft.
Don’t
be mislead by the appellation, the Trekking Peaks of Nepal
can certainly offer their share of challenging climbing.
Mountain Trip Himalaya offers a range of objectives in a variety of
regions in this culturally diverse country. All of our expeditions
are combined with a trek in to the mountaineering objective
and so are also accessible to fit trekkers who might like
to join us as we stroll amidst stunning landscapes and sample
the rich mountain cultures.
In the fall of 2008 MTH will be
leading a trip to the Khumbu region of Nepal. Climbers will
have the opportunity to challenge themselves on the . This is a great choice for
those wishing to experience high altitude mountaineering
in a dramatic setting. One of the world’s great alpine
walls, the South Face of the 8,516 meter giant Lhotse, provides
a spectacular backdrop to our climb.
We combine the Island Peak climb with a trek
through the Khumbu region to Everest Base Camp. Beginning
at the airstrip in Lukla, we will explore the Sherpa trading
center of Namche Bazaar and the religious and cultural center
of the Tengboche Monastery.
Further on, we will stop and visit the Himalayan
Rescue Association clinic in Pheriche as we further our acclimatization
with some of the most spectacular hiking on the planet. Above
Pheriche we hike along the massive Khumbu Glacier as we make
our way toward Everest Base Camp. A memorable objective in
its own right, we will make an acclimatization climb of 18,300’ Kala
Pattar, a stunningly situated satellite peak with views of
Everest, Nuptse and Pumori before briefly re-tracing our
route back toward the village of Dingboche.
From the idyllic stone houses and fences of
Dingboche we hike under the beautiful Ama Dablam toward the
village of Chukkung en route to our 16,690’ Island
Peak Base Camp. Our Island Peak ascent climbs the narrow
Southwest Ridge to the breathtaking summit surrounded by
the majesty of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and the holy peak
of Cho Polu. After savoring the rewards of our
efforts, we descend to our Base Camp and ready ourselves
for the journey back to Lukla.
Participants in the Island Peak climb should
have some basic mountaineering experience and be good physical
condition. Though we will only be hiking with daypacks, trekkers
also need to be in good shape as the mountainous terrain
that creates such majesty in the Khumbu region lends itself
to rugged hiking.
