Etapa 8 - Chukhung ( 4.730 m ) - Kongma La Pass ( 5.535 m ) - Lobuche ( 4.940 m ) - Trekking 3 pasos Everest
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.64 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,003 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 3,570 ft
- Max elevation
- 17,888 ft
- TrailRank
-
91
5
- Min elevation
- 15,534 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 9 hours 20 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2877
- Uploaded
- January 17, 2020
- Recorded
- November 2019
near Dhusum, Province 1 (Nepal)
Viewed 2901 times, downloaded 116 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
|
Eighth Stage -of the Trekking of the Three Steps of Everest.
November 24, 2019.
Stage 8 - Chukhung (4,730 m) - Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) - Lobuche (4,940 m)
This stage, with the passage of the Kongma La and the Khumbu Glacier, is possibly the most beautiful and hardest of the entire route.
We will pass from the Chukhung valley (Imja Chola) to the Khumbu valley crossing the mountains at 5,535 m.
Technical data :
• Distance: 11 km.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Time in motion: 7h, 15.
• Total time with stops: 9h, 20m.
• Type of road surface: Path of earth and stone.
• Ascent slope: 920 m. ( Real value )
• Descent slope: 910 m.
• Minimum height: 4,710 m. (Chukhung).
• Maximum height: 5,535 m. (Kongma La Pass).
• Signposting: Path marked with isolated landmarks.
Description of the route:
We get up at 4:30 am to be able to face the hardest stage of the Trekking with guarantees, the passage through Kongma La. at 5,535 m.
I slept little. Between the cold in the room, and my friend spent much of the night getting up because he had the sensation of running out of air, I got up as if I had been beaten up. In the mountains and at this point are things that happen. Luckily the Lodge voluntarily opened the lounge to give us breakfast to our group and some Japanese.
Around 5:00 we all went out with the frontals, it was still closed night. We had to see the best pass to cross the streams out of Chukhung and the correct path.
In this first section of the route, the ascent is gradual without complications and in the middle of the slope. When dawn began, it was impressive to see the crests of the highest mountains around us illuminated with the first rays of the sun.
After 1.7 km and 4,850 m we arrive at the Bajo del Nuptse Base Camp . We are very close to the Nuptse Glacier . It is noted that in the months of April and May there were tents installed, because there was a rectangular cut in the ground, and clean of bushes and stones.
The trail veers to the right between mountains directly to Kongma La Pass .
We were moving very slowly. At 5,000 m, the lack of oxygen was evident (52%).
We had to make small stops to recover. Good time to take photos.
At about 4 km we came across a small incline, where we had to slow down much more. We had to do our best with every step we took, it was tremendous.
When we got to the top, we made a mandatory stop to eat something and rest a bit. From here we had great views of Nuptse, Lhotse and Makalu .
We resumed the march, and after more than 5 hours on the road, we reached the Glacier Lake at the base of Pokalde .
To the right were a couple of tents. They seem to be using this other location as the Nuptse Forward Base Camp .
The trail continues along the frozen lake, high up between Pokalde and Kongma Tse peaks we see the colored prayer flags pointing to the Kongma La Pass.
At first glance it does not seem that there is a clear ascent, but as you get closer to the mountain you can see how a path rises to the right in zetas. These last 100 meters of unevenness until reaching the pass are very hard.
Our friend Alejandro arriving at Kongma La Pass.
When we arrive we congratulate each other. We had succeeded, we were at Kongma La Pass at 5,530 m .
We take a little break to take some photos, and enjoy this wonderful place. The 360º panorama from Kongma La is simply spectacular.
To our left, the peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Island Peak, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Pokalde, Makalu and in the distance another eight thousand, the Kachengunga .
To our right, Cholatse, the Khumbu Glacier, Lobuche Peak, Cho Oyu and Pumori .
Although we would have liked to stay longer and eat something upstairs, we decided to go down a bit because it was quite airy and the thermal sensation was very low.
In addition, we did not have to entertain ourselves much because we had to get to Lobuche on time, and reserve a place to sleep.
The downhill path runs parallel to the gorge, and then crosses the Khumbu Glacier .
A look back from the edge of the glacier.
It is the highest glacier on Earth. It begins in the so-called Valley of Silence , between Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse . Continue through the Icefall which is the main obstacle that those who want to climb these mountains have to overcome.
Our path crosses the moraine, with small glacial lagoons. On the other side is our final destination Lobuche. It is a continuous rise and fall of small mounds that seem to have no end. The glacier is over 1 km wide.
Inside the glacier the path is marked with flags and landmarks. As the glacier moves continuously under our feet, as we were crossing it we saw how some stones from the sides fell very close to us. You have to be attentive to be able to dodge them if they cross your path.
We ran out of water, I noticed that I was dehydrating, our guide Amar filled his canteen with water from the glacier and I drank almost all of it. That helped me a lot to endure the last section to Lobuche.
Towards the north of the glacier we could see the beautiful Pumori , a peak that some climbers climb to acclimatize before making the ascent to Everest.
When we got to the other side we saw the small village of Lobuche .
We crossed a small bridge and arrived at the Lodge where we would spend the night.
I was faint. When they gave us our rooms, I took out one of the 100g Iberico ham bags and finished with it. Then those at the Lodge gave Richi and me a delicious plate of Tukpa (vegetable soup, meat and pasta) that gave me the energy I needed.
That afternoon we purified water as every day and to rest for the next day's route to Gorashep and Everest Base Camp .
Continue Stage 9 - Part 1 - Lobuche - Gorak Shep
..
Back to Stage 7 - Part 2 - Chukhung Acclimatization Walk to Island Peak Base Camp
..
-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
.
November 24, 2019.
Stage 8 - Chukhung (4,730 m) - Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) - Lobuche (4,940 m)
This stage, with the passage of the Kongma La and the Khumbu Glacier, is possibly the most beautiful and hardest of the entire route.
We will pass from the Chukhung valley (Imja Chola) to the Khumbu valley crossing the mountains at 5,535 m.
Technical data :
• Distance: 11 km.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Time in motion: 7h, 15.
• Total time with stops: 9h, 20m.
• Type of road surface: Path of earth and stone.
• Ascent slope: 920 m. ( Real value )
• Descent slope: 910 m.
• Minimum height: 4,710 m. (Chukhung).
• Maximum height: 5,535 m. (Kongma La Pass).
• Signposting: Path marked with isolated landmarks.
Description of the route:
We get up at 4:30 am to be able to face the hardest stage of the Trekking with guarantees, the passage through Kongma La. at 5,535 m.
I slept little. Between the cold in the room, and my friend spent much of the night getting up because he had the sensation of running out of air, I got up as if I had been beaten up. In the mountains and at this point are things that happen. Luckily the Lodge voluntarily opened the lounge to give us breakfast to our group and some Japanese.
Around 5:00 we all went out with the frontals, it was still closed night. We had to see the best pass to cross the streams out of Chukhung and the correct path.
In this first section of the route, the ascent is gradual without complications and in the middle of the slope. When dawn began, it was impressive to see the crests of the highest mountains around us illuminated with the first rays of the sun.
After 1.7 km and 4,850 m we arrive at the Bajo del Nuptse Base Camp . We are very close to the Nuptse Glacier . It is noted that in the months of April and May there were tents installed, because there was a rectangular cut in the ground, and clean of bushes and stones.
The trail veers to the right between mountains directly to Kongma La Pass .
We were moving very slowly. At 5,000 m, the lack of oxygen was evident (52%).
We had to make small stops to recover. Good time to take photos.
At about 4 km we came across a small incline, where we had to slow down much more. We had to do our best with every step we took, it was tremendous.
When we got to the top, we made a mandatory stop to eat something and rest a bit. From here we had great views of Nuptse, Lhotse and Makalu .
We resumed the march, and after more than 5 hours on the road, we reached the Glacier Lake at the base of Pokalde .
To the right were a couple of tents. They seem to be using this other location as the Nuptse Forward Base Camp .
The trail continues along the frozen lake, high up between Pokalde and Kongma Tse peaks we see the colored prayer flags pointing to the Kongma La Pass.
At first glance it does not seem that there is a clear ascent, but as you get closer to the mountain you can see how a path rises to the right in zetas. These last 100 meters of unevenness until reaching the pass are very hard.
Our friend Alejandro arriving at Kongma La Pass.
When we arrive we congratulate each other. We had succeeded, we were at Kongma La Pass at 5,530 m .
We take a little break to take some photos, and enjoy this wonderful place. The 360º panorama from Kongma La is simply spectacular.
To our left, the peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Island Peak, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Pokalde, Makalu and in the distance another eight thousand, the Kachengunga .
To our right, Cholatse, the Khumbu Glacier, Lobuche Peak, Cho Oyu and Pumori .
Although we would have liked to stay longer and eat something upstairs, we decided to go down a bit because it was quite airy and the thermal sensation was very low.
In addition, we did not have to entertain ourselves much because we had to get to Lobuche on time, and reserve a place to sleep.
The downhill path runs parallel to the gorge, and then crosses the Khumbu Glacier .
A look back from the edge of the glacier.
It is the highest glacier on Earth. It begins in the so-called Valley of Silence , between Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse . Continue through the Icefall which is the main obstacle that those who want to climb these mountains have to overcome.
Our path crosses the moraine, with small glacial lagoons. On the other side is our final destination Lobuche. It is a continuous rise and fall of small mounds that seem to have no end. The glacier is over 1 km wide.
Inside the glacier the path is marked with flags and landmarks. As the glacier moves continuously under our feet, as we were crossing it we saw how some stones from the sides fell very close to us. You have to be attentive to be able to dodge them if they cross your path.
We ran out of water, I noticed that I was dehydrating, our guide Amar filled his canteen with water from the glacier and I drank almost all of it. That helped me a lot to endure the last section to Lobuche.
Towards the north of the glacier we could see the beautiful Pumori , a peak that some climbers climb to acclimatize before making the ascent to Everest.
When we got to the other side we saw the small village of Lobuche .
We crossed a small bridge and arrived at the Lodge where we would spend the night.
I was faint. When they gave us our rooms, I took out one of the 100g Iberico ham bags and finished with it. Then those at the Lodge gave Richi and me a delicious plate of Tukpa (vegetable soup, meat and pasta) that gave me the energy I needed.
That afternoon we purified water as every day and to rest for the next day's route to Gorashep and Everest Base Camp .
Continue Stage 9 - Part 1 - Lobuche - Gorak Shep
..
Back to Stage 7 - Part 2 - Chukhung Acclimatization Walk to Island Peak Base Camp
..
-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
.
Waypoints
Summit
River
Campsite
Information point
0 ft
Descenso ladera del Kongma La Pass hacía Lobuche
Descenso ladera del Kongma La Pass hacía Lobuche
Panorama
Mountain pass
Lake
Mountain hut
Bridge
Comments (8)
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Como bien dices, una de las etapas más duras, pero la recompensa es fantástica. Un abrazo
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👌👌👌👌
Prosigue la épica. Fotos espectaculares.
Que barbaridad, que espectáculo !
Estos días de confinamiento hacen que la mente vuele hasta allí.
Gracias Juan
Muchas gracias compañeros
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Llegaba uno de los días más temidos pero más espectaculares de todo el trekking. Como comenta Juan, se duerme peor a medida que alcanza altura (aquí dormíamos por primera vez a 4800 metros) y además teníamos que madrugar para salir sobre las 5:00 am para hacer esta ruta de unas 10 horas y casi 1000 metros de desnivel pero, ojo, superando los 5500 metros y con casi la mitad de oxígeno en el aire que respirábamos.
Durmiendo lo que cada uno pudo, comenzamos la ruta y las primeras horas de subida, fueron muy duras, a paso muy lento y tratando de controlar continuamente nuestro pulso y oxígeno. La fatiga era constante y hubo que hacer un gran esfuerzo porque las fuerzas escaseaban. Hicimos toda la subida juntos, haciendo paradas continuas, tratando de recuperar y hacer el menor esfuerzo posible, controlando pulso y oxígeno en sangre, subiendo con máxima tranquilidad. Caminando así, alcanzamos finalmente el paso Kongma La Pass que compensó todo nuestro esfuerzo del día. No recuerdo bien, pero serían unas 6 horas más o menos lo que tardamos en llegar al paso. Duro pero merece totalmente la pena hacer este paso, lo recomiendo a todo trekker que quiera disfrutar de paisajes, lagunas, picos, praderas... espectaculares, únicas.
Una vez que descansamos e hicimos algunas fotos en la cima, nos quedaba un tramo aún muy duro de bajada. Se veía a lo lejos el glaciar que debíamos atravesar antes de llegar a Lobuche. Era mejor no pensar en lo que faltaba e ir bajando poco a poco. La bajada, al menos la primera parte, es algo técnica, nada especial, pero con mucha roca y piedra grande y hay que ir con cuidado especial puesto que el cansancio va haciendo mella. Paso a paso, metro a metro, por fin, llegamos a la pradera bajera justo antes de ascender el murete Este del enorme y ancho glaciar, antes de llegar a Lobuche. Tras remontar ese murete Este de 50 o 60 metros, que se hace duro a estas alturas, por fin, podemos divisar el glaciar en su plenitud que tenemos que atravesar. Es más de un kilómetro de sube y bajas. Sorprende, al menos a mí, el manto de piedra y roca que cubre casi todo el glaciar que hace pensar en que caminas por tierra firme. Nada más lejos de la realidad, hay algunas lagunas heladas abajo que te recuerdan que estás atravesando un río de hielo vivo. Precaución. Paredes de hielo azul a cada tramo, con pequeñas lagunas circulares que sobrecogen por su enormidad y color. Con un último esfuerzo, fuimos atravesando loma tras loma, haciendo múltiples paradas para controlar el pulso y, poco a poco nos aproximamos a Lobuche. Tras remontar el murete o lateral Oeste del glaciar, ya empazamos a divisar Lobuche, donde llegamos con la alegría de un día duro pero increíble. Una sopa nepalí, como comenta Juan, nos resucitó, puesto que veníamos ya casi sin agua y estábamos parcialmente deshidratados. Recomiendo llevar cuatro litros de agua, nosotros llevamos algo menos, y nos habría venido bien un litro más, dependerá de cada uno y de la temperatura del día. Por lo demás, enorme etapa y la aventura sigue. Un abrazo, Juan.
Ya veo que en esta ocasión Ris Ris se ha esmerado y nos ha dejado poco espacio para el halago.
Son momentos que uno guarda en la retina y posiblemente nunca olvida.
Envidia sana por todo lo que habéis pasado.
Tremenda esta ruta del paso del Kongma La.
Muy buenas fotos y explicaciones! con ganas de hacerla algun dia.