These subsequent three days of the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek crosses over the Cho La Move and finishes in my favourite Khumbu village; Gokyo.
Nonetheless, earlier than you earn the snug Gokyo lodging and bakeries, you’re going to must cross the iciest go but – the Cho La Move. This section is notoriously slippery, with lengthy sections of icy scree slopes.
This information picks up from the earlier publish: EVEREST THREE HIGH PASSES TREK DAY 10 – 12 EVEREST BASE CAMP – ULTIMATE GUIDE
The map above will provide you with an thought of the overall path and topography of the world. Nonetheless, there isn’t a actual route for the Cho La Move. Subsequently, it’s essential to have a bodily Everest Three Passes Trek map.
This information mustn’t change a correct map and needs to be a complement to particular person analysis and preparation efforts.
In the mean time, my guides are the one sources of free content material accessible on-line for the Three Passes Trek. In the event you’re in search of extra details about the three passes trek and Cho La Move, then you may additionally get a replica of the Lonely Planet: Trekking within the Nepal Himalaya e book which was very helpful for me.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE CHO LA PASS TREK
For many trekkers trying to sort out the Three Passes, journey insurance coverage is excessive on their checklist of priorities. Nonetheless, extra journey insurance coverage firms don’t cowl trekking at altitudes above 4000 meters.
I all the time buy journey insurance coverage from WorldNomads.com, since I imagine that they’re the perfect for journey vacationers. It contains cowl for abroad medical, evacuation, baggage and a spread of journey sports activities and actions, together with trekking in Nepal at excessive altitudes.
Three Passes: Impartial Trekking Information E-book
Since web connectivity is proscribed within the Khumbu, I’ve written a complete trekking information to the Three Passes which you’ll obtain as an eBook to be used in your cell, pill, or e-reader.
I’ve presently obtained this eBook listed on Amazon at a reduced value of lower than $6!
Day 13: The Cho La Move
TREKKING TIME: 6 HOURS TO TAGNAG OR 9 HOURS TO GOKYO
ALTITUDE: 525M ASCENT 650M DESCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 4700M
Earlier than you depart from Dzonghla, communicate to the lodge homeowners to see if the Cho La Move is open for trekking and if there are another trekkers departing on the identical day. If it has been snowing, then discovering your method on this Three Excessive Passes section with out a information might be very tough.
RELATED: Three Passes Packing Checklist – What You Want For The Three Passes & EBC Trek
Cho La Move Itinerary
For a Cho La Move Itinerary, trekkers can have the choice of constructing their method from Dzonghla to Tagnag (Dragnag) or persevering with all the way in which to Gokyo. Since I had loads of time, I made a decision to cease at Tagnag.
Understand that if you happen to do resolve to stroll all the way in which to Gokyo after the Cho La Move, you’ll must cross the Ngozumpa Glacier (largest within the Himalayas) after the Cho La Move. Discovering your method over is just a little laborious, and I wouldn’t advocate trying it with out a information except you have got loads of remaining mild.
For the aim of this Three Excessive Passes Trek information, I’ll embody a Cho La Move itinerary from Dzhongla to Tagnag, since that is how I accomplished this section. Nonetheless, you’ll discover a detailed information for the Tagnag to Gokyo trek under.
Do I Want Microspikes on the Cho La Move?
In the event you’re already within the lodges, then you definately’ll most likely hear the nervous chatter of trekkers questioning about microspikes for the Cho La Move. After a little analysis and talking to some trekking outlets in Thamel, I made a decision that I wasn’t going to convey them alongside.
Nonetheless, the Cho La Move can get very icy. If there was a section the place they might are available in helpful, this may have been it. The couple I used to be trekking with had them, which made strolling on ice a lot simpler. In saying that, I didn’t have any main issues with out them.
Part 1: Dzonghla to the Cho La Move
After organizing a packed lunch along with your lodge, ask the homeowners to indicate you the start of the observe to the Cho La Move. From right here, it’s a reasonably simple and gradual ascent that winds up the valley and crosses just a few small rivers. There had been some heavy snow after I crossed the Cho La Move, which made discovering the observe simple by following the footsteps of different trekkers.
In the event you look behind you again in the direction of Dzonghla, you’ll see a magical scene of Ama Dablam positioned in an ideal panorama between the encompassing peaks.
There’s a clear view of the Cho La Move from about midway. You’ll see it because the low level between the mountains. Simply proceed following the worn-in path till you attain a steep, rocky climb. Count on to achieve the go after roughly three and a half hours of trekking.
Part 2: The Cho La Move
Cho La Move Altitude: 5420M
This primary steep part of rocky and ice needs to be pretty simple to climb, with some mild scrambling in segments. After about 20 minutes, you’ll attain the highest – a large, snowy basin that makes for an ideal place to catch your breath.
Proceed on, following the trail alongside the ridge that rolls previous the sting of the Cho La Glacier. Alongside the trail, you’ll see large boulders resting atop blocks of ice. It’s a humbling thought to think about how lengthy they’ve sat there, nonetheless.
Quickly, you’ll see a rock wall with a faint glimmer of prayer flags within the distance. From right here, it’s solely a brief climb up the icy, black rock wall till you achieve the Cho La Move.
Part 3: Cho La to Tagnag
Lay down your pack and luxuriate in a short relaxation with the satisfaction that you just’ve now climbed two out of the Three Excessive Passes! Nonetheless, don’t get too snug. The toughest a part of the Cho La Move trek continues to be forward of you.
The unfastened rock path main down from the Cho La Move is notorious for being slippery, icy and steep. With out crampons or microspikes, you’ll most likely slip and slide just a few occasions, so take care as you descend.
Once you attain the underside, look again on the go and rely your blessings that you just selected to sort out the Three Excessive Passes anti-clockwise! The remainder of the trek to Tagnag is far simpler, however it may be tough to search out the trail. Count on roughly 2.5 hours from the bottom of the rockfall.
You’ll must cross a boulder subject, in search of stone cairns that mark the way in which. After this, there are just a few small hills and a breeze descent alongside a phenomenal river to the small Gokyo Valley township of Tagnag.
There are just a few lodges right here, take your decide and throw down a heat Dahl Baht to have fun.
Day 14: Tagnag to Gokyo and Gokyo Ri
TREKKING TIME: 3 HOURS
ALTITUDE: 150M ASCENT 40M DESCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 4790M
Legs heavy after crossing the Cho La Move the day prior to this, we wakened at first mild to get a head begin on the brief trek from Tagnag to Gokyo to nonetheless permit time to climb Gokyo Ri. This primary part isn’t significantly tough, however you’ll have to cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, which consistently strikes and modifications.
The path from Tagnag isn’t instantly apparent both. However, if you happen to stroll to the top of the city, you’ll see the path main proper on the very base of the mountain. We adopted porters and footprints within the snow that lead up the moraine wall for our first glimpses of the Ngozumpa Glacier.
In the event you don’t have footprints or porters to comply with, preserve an eye fixed out for stone cairns which mark the zigzagging path down and throughout the glacier.
After crossing, there’s a piece the place you stroll alongside a steep rockfall. BEWARE this can be a harmful part with large rocks rolling down and smashing into the glacier. We even needed to make a run for it at one stage to keep away from getting hit. You’ll know what I imply once you see it.
After narrowly escaping the rockfall, you’ll climb a small hill the place you’ll get your first glimpse of Khumbu’s most lovely village: Gokyo. It’s lots bigger than a lot of the different villages you’d have previous on the way in which and the unofficial capital of the North.
Gokyo and the Gokyo Lakes
The alpine lakes Gokyo have an unbelievable turquoise tint which contrasts fantastically with the white hills and hovering peaks. Sadly, it was nonetheless just a little early within the season after I arrived in Gokyo, and the vast majority of the lake was nonetheless frozen over. Nonetheless, making the wobbling descent down into Gokyo was an unbelievable second.
When it comes to lodging, I’d undoubtedly advocate the Namaste Lodge, which gives giant snug rooms for under 200 Rs per evening.
Gokyo Ri (Facet Journey)
TREKKING TIME: 5 HOURS
ALTITUDE: 570 ASCENT 570M DESCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 4790M (GOKYO)
Initially, our publish Cho La Move itinerary was to relaxation in Gokyo as soon as we crossed the glacier. Nonetheless, we had excellent climate circumstances once we arrived, and it was nonetheless very early. So, we determined to push on and climb Gokyo Ri to get arguably the perfect views on the Three Passes Trek. It’s finest to go away your pack in your lodge and luxuriate in one other lightweight aspect journey.
GOKYO RI ALTITUDE: 5360M
READ THE FULL GOKYO RI GUIDE: GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK FREE TREKKING GUIDE
The path zig-zagging up Gokyo Ri is instantly apparent from the lake. After crossing a trickling river, start the tiring and steep stroll up the hill.
After roughly 3 hours, you’ll attain the rocky summit, wrapped in prayer flags. From right here, you have got panoramic views of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the Gokyo Valley, Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and different large unnamed peaks in Tibet.
In good climate and on a transparent day, you’ll unlikely be in a rush to go down. The views are completely unbelievable. We sat for hours in makes an attempt to edge each element right into a panoramic reminiscence I knew I’d cherish ceaselessly.
The stroll down from Gokyo Ri is far simpler and faster than the ascent. By now, after having crossed glaciers and the Cho La Move (two out of three passes on the Three Passes Trek!) and having climbed Gokyo Ri, you’ve deserved a relaxation day.
Day 15: Relaxation Day
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 4790M (GOKYO)
Many trekkers resolve to spend at the least an additional day Gokyo, since it truly is a particular place. You may have the choice of simply enjoyable by the lake, recovering within the lodge or hitting some epic Gokyo Lakes aspect journeys.
Gokyo aspect journey highlights embody Scoundrel’s Viewpoint and the again lakes. The one dependable self-guide info that I may discover for these side-trips in Gokyo might be discovered within the Lonely Planet e book, which might be downloaded as an e-book or bought as a bodily copy.
In the event you’re in a rush to get again to Lukla, then you’ll be able to proceed on to the Renjo La Move, which is roofed within the subsequent part.
Maintain Studying the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trekking Information
That’s it for the Three Excessive Passes days 13 -15 and Cho La Move information Maintain studying within the subsequent articles under.
Additionally, don’t miss this Three Passes itinerary for a run-down on every thing you’ll have to know earlier than heading out on the Three Excessive Passes Trek
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
For an inventory of all my beneficial images gear (together with what I exploit and why) take a look at my information to digital camera gear for journey.
In the event you’d like to make use of any of the images on this web site, please go to my licensing web page to learn the way. I additionally promote skilled fine-art prints, go to my Print Retailer or contact me immediately for customs prints of any photographs on We Search Journey.
