Seven days over the high passes from Yangla Kharka to Chhukung. Sherpani Col, West Col, Amphu Lapcha are rather difficult passes above 6000m. They will require additional alpine equipment, a tent and self-sufficient supplies. We will have our second resupply point at the beginning of this part in Yangla Kharka. Two replacement porters will get us new food and the necessary mountaineering equipment for the high passes.
Overview
Days
P4T1 Yangla Kharka - Makalu Base Camp
Easy to follow trail. Can be split into two parts with a night in Langmale Kharka.
Makalu Base Camp will be the last day where you can get some rest and some teahouse infrastructure. Make sure that you have done all resupply, and are in good shape/rested.
P4T2 Makalu Base Camp - Swiss Base Camp
The trail was tricky to follow. For some sections we were scrambling over glacial moraine, following occasional cairns.
P4T3 Swiss Base Camp - Sherpani Col Base Camp
The route follows steep glacial moraine all day. Very difficult and dangerous, sometimes climbing over precariously balanced boulders the size of cars. We were following occasional cairns to navigate - there was no trail on the ground.
P4T4 Sherpani Col Base Camp - Advanced Base Camp
The route is on crevassed, glaciated terrain all day. The safest route across the glacier and over Sherpani Col may change year-to-year so an experienced mountaineer in the group is absolutely essential. Full mountaineering gear is required for this leg.
Most groups continue towards West col and do not stay in Advanced Base Camp as it's quite exposed on the glacier.
P4T5 Advanced Base Camp - Barnutse Base Camp
The route is on crevassed, glaciated terrain all day. The safest route across the plateau and over West Col may change year-to-year so an experienced mountaineer in the group is absolutely essential. Full mountaineering gear is required for this leg.
P4T6 Barnutse Base Camp - Amphu Labsta Base Camp
We didn't hike most of this leg, having followed a different path, so the ratings for route and trail are just for the last part of this leg. The part of the trail we did hike was tricky to follow and frequently involved scrambling over glacial moraine.
P4T7 Amphu Labsta Base Camp - Chhukung
Amphu Lapcha Pass is one of the most dangerous passes in Nepal, and the route climbs technical terrain to reach the pass. The safest route may change year-to-year so an experienced mountaineer in the group is absolutely essential. Full mountaineering gear is required for this leg.
