Taplejung to Jiri via Lumba Samba Pass, Sherpani and West Cols, and Amphu Lapsta (October-November 2012):

6. Yangla Kharka to Sherpani Col High Camp (4 days)

 

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From Yangla Kharka (3560m) we started our ascent toward Sherpani Col (6146m). Since the crossing of Sherpani Col leads to a high-elevation area where we planned to put two camps and from which there is no easy escape to quickly lose elevation in case one of us would suffer from altitude sickness, we decided to acclimatize further by taking 4 days to reach the Sherpani Col high camp at 5700m. We put successive camps at 4400m, 4850m (Makalu BC), 5150m and 5700m. In the spring of 2001 I had already traveled from Yangla Kharka to Makalu BC and beyond in an unsuccessful attempt to climb Makalu via Makalu La (see here).

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Big walls above Yangla Kharha.

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First sight of Makalu along this trail.

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Views of Makalu...

...before reaching Makalu BC

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...from Makalu BC.

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...from the moraine above Makalu BC.

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View of the lower section of the Barun glacier from the moraine heading toward Sherpani Col.

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The upper section of the Barun glacier, with Lhotse and Everest in the background.

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Our camp at 5150m.

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Three successive evening views of Makalu from my tent at the 5150m camp.

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Continuing our ascent on the next morning, with Lhotse and Everest in the background.

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View of the valley on the opposite site of the Barun glacier, which I had climbed in 2001 to reach another Makalu BC below Makalu La (see here).

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Yet another view of Makalu, with Ang Karma (red jacket) and Nyima Gyaltshen (blue jacket) on the front ridge.

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The Sherpani Col high camp at 5700m.

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Links to all sections 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)

 

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