Taplejung to Jiri via Lumba Samba Pass, Sherpani and West Cols, and Amphu
Lapsta (October-November 2012):
8. Hongu basin to Namche
across Amphu Lapsta (3
days)
The day following our crossing of Sherpani and West Cols we did a relatively short hike
across moraines of the Hongu basin and moved our
camp to the base of Amphu Lapsta col, where we spent our last night in a
tent. The next day we crossed Amphu Lapsta (5845m) and reached Chukhung,
where we slept in a lodge. We hiked to Namche in
one more day. The ascent to Amphu Lapsta was particularly beautiful, with ice and
snow forming an unusual staged arrangement of terraces. The descent from the
pass offered stunning views over Lhotse (8414m) and its surrounding glaciers.
However, there were three large guided groups crossing Amphu Lapsta on the same day as us, who had
arrived from Mera La. So, there were too many
people on the pass. Fortunately, Nyima Gyaltshen left very early in the morning to set up a rope
for the descent and our much smaller group was able to complete the crossing
ahead of the other groups. |
|
Across the
moraines of the Hongu basin, with Amphu Lapsta in the background.
The ice and
snow ′terraces′ on the way up to Amphu Lapsta.
View over
Lhotse (8414m) from Amphu Lapsta.
Looking back
at the Hongu basin from the pass.
The steep
descent from Amphu Lapsta.
|
|
Another view
of Lhotse, with Island peak (6189m) barely distinguishable in the foreground.
Cholatse (6335m) seen from the Chukhung
valley.
A nice smiling
face in Chukhung.
Summit of Ama Dablam lit by the morning sun
as seen below Chukhung.
Lhotse in the
morning sun while descending from Chukhung toward Pangboche.
A more
classical view of Ama Dablam
from Somare.
Mountain goat
along the trail.
Since the
beginning of this trip, we had seen very few porters (except our own). Reaching
the main trails of Khumbu brings back familiar scenes
of porters carrying all kinds of odd loads.
High peaks
seen through low clouds before reaching Namche.
Upon reaching Namche, it became obvious that we were back to
civilization. The hottest items on sale in the streets were TP (left), kleenex (middle) and tampax (right)!
In the evening
we celebrated our success on the 3 cols in the lodge of Ang
Karma′s cousin, over whisky and coke, and an unusually rich dal bhat.
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)