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  • 3 Peaks - 26 Days

An Introduction to Himalayan Mountianeering

Are you a hardcore hiker looking for the next step? Maybe a rock climber looking to go big? Come and experience Himalayan Mountaineering and learn along the way!
Contact us for Upcoming Departures
Location: khumbu Region, Nepal
Activity:
Duration: 26 Days
Difficulty Rating: Grade 5 - Alpine +
Comfort Level: Comfortable camping
Season: Mar, Apr, May,

Overview

This is a great expedition to introduce you to Himalayan Mountaineering. We plan to climb 3 'trekking peaks' in the Everest region, each peak progresses in difficulty, altitude or prominence making it a great opportunity to learn, progress and summit 3 peaks each with their own stunning views of a number of the 8000'ers as well as Ama Dablam, one of the most alluring mountains on the planet. 

What is a "trekking peak"?

Officially, a trekking peak is a non-technical climb with a summit less than 6500m above sea level. While all are classed as non-technical they can vary wildly in size, difficulty and of course the hazzards involved. The term 'non technical climb' can seem a little ambiguous too. Most of these climbs involved glaciers, snow slopes, rock scrambling and ridgelines. What sets them apart from expedition climbs are that they can be climbed in 1 or 2 days, and any of the technical skills you need, you can learn on the expedition. 

Can I come? 

Of course! While there is no prerequisite for experience required for this expedition, a very high level of fitness is required. Our 3 summits will only be a few days apart, and there will be trekking in between to access each. While we have plenty of time to acclimatise and rest for both recovery and weather, you will still need a very high level of fitness to maintain performance throughout the entire expedition, working up to our biggest objective towards the end. As well as being fit, you will need to be an experienced hiker, very confident on your feet on rough un-even terrain, have good balance, and good coordination. You are not required to have any rock climbing or mountaineering experience, although it will help, as we can learn skills on site. You will however need to have a good head for heights, and not be too intimidated by exposure.

There will be training sessions before each peak to practice and ensure our skills are up to standard. 

If you're based in Melbourne, we will be hosting a range introductory rock climbing trips which would be a great opportunity to get a head start. Enquire within!

Peak 1: Pokalde 5806m

Pokalde only 90m lower than Mount Kilimanjaro, although it is much more of a climb. It sits just above the town of Dingboche and its northern slopes create the Kongma La, one of the high passes in the popular "3 passes" trek. We will ascend the pass to access our basecamp. As our first peak, we will have plenty of down time at both basecamp and high camp to learn about our equipment and how to use it. From the high camp its a short 4-5 hour summit bid, crossing a glacier and low angle scrambling up a rock ridge. Objective hazzards are limited. 

Peak 2: Imja Tse (Island Peak) 6189m

Island Peak is the highest of our 3 peaks, but will still be climbed in a single push. This massive summit day will test your endurance, but you will be well rewared. From basecamp the climb starts as a steep trekking trail, switch-backing up slopes full of shale and rock. We pass a rarely used high camp, and begin some easy rock scambles to access a the main ascent ridge. It soon levels out to 'crampon point' at the edge of the glacier, at which point we fix our crampons, take out our ice axes, and rope up in teams. The route then navigates a small icefall before crossing a large platuea on the glacier. Depending in the route through the icefall and its conditions there may be very short steep sections, snow bridges, and potentially if snow is lacking, alluminium ladder crossings (just like on Everest!). The rest of the path along the glacier is simple and ends with a 170m (vertical) headwall to gain the sharp summit ridge. From here to the summit is climbed on fixed ropes making access speedy and safe. 

Peak 3: Lobuche East 6119m

While Lobuche East is slightly shorter than Island Peak, it is a little more involved, and considered a more difficult climb. By this stage we're extremely well acclimatised and have honed our skills, ready for the challenge! From Lobuche Basecamp, we'll take a short stroll (read: slog) up to the high camp to have a few hours sleep before the summit bid. From the high camp we ascend a narrow gully, and up a series of slabby rock pitches. These rock slabs may or may not be covered in snow and ice, but will have fixed ropes for protection and speedy descent. Above the slabs is a 45 degree snow slope to gain the south-east summit ridge, then a range of lumps and bumps to the summit. While easy going, you will be faced with some great exposure. The first summit is technically a false summit, to get to the true summit, a mere few meters higher, requires a 200m descent (likely rappel sections) and another ridge to gain that elevation again and then some. The descision to continue to the true summit will be made on the day and depend on weather, conditions, group speed and energy.

 

Itinerary

DAY 01: Arrive in Kathmandu 
DAY 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
DAY 03: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2,690m) 3–4 hours 
DAY 04: Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) 6-7 hours
DAY 05: Namche Bazaar: Acclimatisation Day
DAY 06: Namche Bazzar to Phortse (3,810m) 5 hours
DAY 07: Phortse to Orsho (4110 m)  4 hours
DAY 08: Orsho to Dingboche (4,360 m) afternoon acclimatisation walk 
DAY 09: Acclimatisation day in Dingboche
DAY 10: Dingboche – Pokalde Base Camp (4,900m) 4-5 hours
DAY 11: Pokalde Peak Base Camp – High Camp (5,400m)   4-5 hours.
DAY 12: High Camp to Pokalde Peak Summit and Trek to Chhukung  (4,730m)   8-9 hours
DAY 13: Chhukung - Island Peak Base Camp (5000m): 4 hours
DAY 14: Summit Island Peak (6189m) 8-12 hours
DAY 15: Island Peak Base Camp – Dingboche (4,360 m) 5-6 hours
DAY 16: Spare day for weather
DAY 17: Dingboche – Lobuche (4930m) 6 hours
DAY 18: Lobuche – Lobuche Base Camp (4865m) 3 Hours
DAY 19: Lobuche Base Camp to Lobuche High Camp (5,600m)  5-6 Hours
DAY 20: Summit Day: Lobuche Peak (6119m) Summit & back to Base Camp 7-9 hours
DAY 21: Spare day for weather
DAY 22: Base Camp to Pheriche(4200m)   4 hours
DAY 23: Pheriche-Pangboche-Tengboche-Namche Bazzar (3,440 m):  5-6 hours
DAY 24: Namche Bazaar-Lukla (2690m)
DAY 25: Fly Back to Kathmandu
DAY 26: Departure

Cost

This expedition costs $6300* twin share, ex Kathmandu.

*minimum number of bookings required, see ts & c's for full details

 

Cost Includes: 

  • Experienced Australian expedition leader for the entire duration of the itinerary
  • Airport transfers 
  • 3 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Kathmandu – Lukla return flight and airport departure taxes 
  • Tea house accomodation while trekking twin share
  • Tented camp accomdation while climbing twin share
  • All Camping Equipment (kitchen tent, dinning tent, toilet tent, table, chair and kitchen utensils) 
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner while trekking and climbing. 
  • Group climbing equipment (ropes, ice screws, snow bars)
  • Licensed local support team including trekking guide, climbing guides, camp cooks, porters
  • 1 to 1 client:porter ratio policy. Lighter loads and more employment!
  • Guides and porter’s meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, flight and other necessary equipment. 
  • Permits for Lobuche East, 6119m, Pokalde, 5806m, and Island Peak, 6189m 
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee & TIMS Card. 
  • Garbage Deposit 
  • Expedition Medical kit 
  • Pulse Oxymeter and PAC (Portable Altitude Chamber) for group use
  • Hire of sleeping bag and down jacket  
  • All government and Local taxes  
  • Evacuation and rescue coordination (funded by travel insurance)  
  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu

 

Cost Excludes:

  • International flight airfare 
  • Nepal visa
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu 
  • Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure or early return from trekking. 
  • Personal expenses such as shopping, additional snacks for trek, beverages, laundry, telephone call, extra porters etc. 
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Travel insurance and high risk evacuation insurance.
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Additional costs or delays cause by out of control for events eg. landslides, weather conditions, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes etc.

 

Mandatory travel insurance

It is mandatory that guests have an apropriate travel insurance policy to cover medical expenses and evacuations while traveling on our expeditions. There are currently no standard travel insurance policies within Australia that will cover Climbing or Mountaineering. In addition to your normal travel insurance policy we require you to take out a membership with our partners at Global Rescue who will cover rescue and evacuation costs in case of incident while climbing. Unfortunately there is currently no option for Australian residents for insurance to cover medical expenses in case of climbing accidents. We are working with our partners at Global Rescue to open their travel insurance products to non-US residents, until that happens, if you happen to find something please do let us know!

Personal Climbing Equipment

As people on this trip may have their own equipment, or be interested in purchasing it, we have not included hire of personal climbing equipment. You will be required to have a minimum list of equipment, with some optional items if you'd like to learn more. As always, any of this equipment can arranged for hire if you do not want to purchase. Please let us know.

Minimum required:

  • Mountaineering harness
  • Insulated mountaineering boots (double boots)
  • Crampons with anti balling plates
  • Non technical ice axe
  • Ascender
  • Figure 8 device
  • 2 x 120cm sewn slings or similar length tape slings or 3m of 7-9mm cord or dynamic rope
  • 1 x HMS locking caribiner
  • 2 x regular locking caribiner

 

Extras

Note the below items can be added at the time of booking.