Taplejung to Jiri
(October-November 2012):
3. Crossing Lumba Samba pass (3 days)
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At 5159m Lumba
Samba pass was our first major pass of this trip (but an easy one). To
acclimatize further we put two intermediate camps between Olangchun
Gola and the crossing of the pass, respectively at
3880m and 4450m. A small snow fall (the only one during the entire trip)
occurred during the night spent at the higher camp. Upon reaching the pass we
had spectacular views over Kanchenjunga (8450m) and Jannu
(7710m). Lumba Samba pass is in fact a triple pass.
At the ′third′ (most western) pass, we could see Kanchenjunga
(and Jannu) on one side and Makalu (8481m) on the
other side. |
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Leaving Olangchun Gola.
Caravan of yaks heading toward Tibet, at the point where the trail
from Olangchun Gola
bifurcates into two trails, one leading to Lumba
Samba pass, the other to Tiptala Laon
the border with Tibet.
The path
toward Lumba Samba pass then traverses a dense
rhododendron forest.
We set our
last camp before crossing Lumba Samba at the end of
this valley at 4450m.
View of the
valley in the opposite direction, with our camp on the left side of the photo.
Next morning at the camp after a small snow fall.
Starting our ascent of Lumba Samba pass
with perfect weather. (Second photo by Matt Scott)
Spectacular
views of Kanchenjunga (center left) and Jannu
(center) during the climb.
The same two
mountains after crossing the ′first′ (most
eastern) pass of the triple Lumba Samba pass.
View of Makalu
from the ′third′ (most
western) pass of Lumba Samba pass.
The isolated
village of Thudam (3560m) reached after a long descent
from the pass. This village, where we set our camp for one night, seems
extraordinarily poor. It has no easy connection to any other village in Nepal
and does some trade with Tibet through Umbak La
(5232m).
Children in Thudam.
Other parts of the trek:
1.
Taplejung to Olangchun Gola (4 days)
2. Olangchun Gola (1 day)
3. Crossing
Lumba Samba pass (3 days)
4. Tudham to Hongon (3 days)
5. Hongon to Yangla Kharka (5 days)
6. Yangla Kharka to Sherpani Col High Camp (4 days)
7. Crossing
of Sherpani and West Cols (1 day)
8. Hongu basin to Namche across Amphu Lapsta (3 days)
9. Namche to Jiri (5 days)