Pokhalde peak and Khongma
Tse Peak trek/climb (18 days)
Pokhalde (5,806 m) was first climbed in 1953
via the Kongma La along its north ridge by
the 1953 Everest Expedition team led by John
Hunt. Pokhalde looks like a crenulated rocky
ridge dominated by the vast bulk of Nuptse
when seen from Nuptse. The mountain has a small
hanging glacier, which is best reached along
the ridge rising from the Kongma La, on its
northern side. Although the summit is comparatively
smaller than the rest, it provides a good viewpoint.
Formerly called Mehra Peak or simply Mehra,
this attractive mountain rises to the north
of the Kongma La above the Khumbu glacier
opposite Lobuje, and is one of several small
summits, including Pokalde, that make up
the long South-West Ridge of Nuptse, between
the Khumbu and Nuptse Glaciers. Seen from
Gorak Shep, the summit has a diamond shaped
hanging glacier above a steeply inclined
rock wall that makes up the mountain's North
Face, which is in turn slashed by a diagonal
ice ramp leading to the lower edge of the
glacier. From the south the mountain is much
more approachable. Seen from the lakes east
of the Kongma La, a small, stepped glacier
descends from the summit between long, rocky
arms that make up the mountain's South and
South-East Ridges. The margins of the glacier
provide the normal route of ascent. As with
Pokalde the views from the summit are spectacular,
especially so because of the nearness of
the massive south face of Nuptse. The views
northwards towards Pumori and the Lho La
are also outstanding
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
18
Days
Type of Trek :
Camping
Max Altitude:
5806 m
Minimum Pax:
1 +
Mode of travel:
Flight
Grade:
Strenuous
Outline Itinerary
01
Day
1
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Trek from
Lukla (2800m.) to Phakding (2652m.).
Day
2
Trek
from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m.).
Day
3
Rest
day at Namche for acclimatization.
Day 4
Trek
from Namche Bazaar to Thyangboche (3867m.).
Day
5
Trek
from Tyangboche to Dingboche (4530m.).
Day
6
Trek
from Dingboche to Chhukung (4730m.)
Day
7
Rest
day at Chhukung for climbing preparation.
Day
8
Trek from Chhukung to Pokalde Base camp.
Day
9
Climb Pokalde Peak (5745m.) and return
back to Pokalde Base Camp.
Day
10
Trek
from Pokalde Base Camp to Khongma Tse Base
Camp.
Day
11
Climb Khongma Tse Peak (5820m.) and return
back to Khongma Tse Base
Day
12
Trek
from Khongma Tse Base Camp to Pokalde Base
Camp.