66 Kongma La

Summary:

Anyway watching some awesome 3-Pass Trek videos on YouTube made me more and more convinced that I should at the least try. Who knows, I might actually do it too! Have provided two links of those impressive 3P-Trek Videos at the botopm of this page.

I got in touch with Manjunath (a trek mate from earlier treks) in Bangalore and he agreed to do this trek; but said he can manage a long leave only after Diwali, in November. Premanth (another trekker) from Gudalur TN) was also interested to join for 3P trek. 

Together we finalized a Trek Plan as follows:

1st Nov 2017 --> Arrive in Kathmandu

2nd Nov --> In Thamel Permits and Packing etc.

3rd Nov --> Extra day in Thamel Kathmandu

4th Nov --> KTM to Lukla Trek to Phakding (2610 mts) maybe Monjo

5th Nov --> Reach Namche Bazaar (3440 mts) 5.5 hrs

6th Nov --> Namache Rest ... Visit Everest hotel and Kumjung

7th Nov --> Tengboche (3870 mts) 5-6 hours

8th Nov --> Dingboche (4410 mts) 6 hours walk.

9th Nov --> Dingboche Rest: Nangkartshang or Ama Dablam lakes.

10th Nov --> Trek to Chhukung (4730 mts) 3 hours. 

11th Nov -->  Climb Chankung Ri (5600 mts) See KongmaLa & Everest.

12th Nov --> Chukung to Kongma La (5535 mts) to Lobuche 8-10 hrs

13th Nov --> Gorak Shep (5170 mts) 3.5 hours, EBC (5364 mts) & back

14th Nov --> Kalapathar (5554 mts) 4 hrs and Lobuche 2 hrs (4940 mts).

15th Nov --> Lobuche to Dzonglha (4200 mts) 3-4 hours

16th Nov --> Cho La pass (5420 mts) and to Thangna (4650 mts) 7-8 hrs.

17th Nov --> Thangna to Gokyo lake (4750 mts) 4 hours.

18th Nov --> Rest day Gokyo. Morning visit Gokyo Ri(5350 mts) 4-5 hrs.

19th Nov --> 4th and 5th Gokyo lakes (day trip) and back to Gokyo.

20th Nov --> Renjo La (5417 mts) to Lungden (4375 mts) 7-8 hrs.

21st Nov --> Lungden (4375 mts) to Thame (3825 mts) 3-4 hours.

22nd Nov --> Thame to Namche Bazar. 3 hours.

23rd Nov --> Namche Bazar to Monjo 4 hrs.

24th Nov --> Monjo to Lukla. 4 hrs

25h Nov --> Lukla to Kathmandu.

26th, 27th, 28th Nov Extra days (Buffer) in Kathmandu

29th Nov --> Flight back to Mumbai   

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Though this was the plan we deviated from it ... and in the end we didn't  succeed doing the entire 3-Pass route. We managed to do the 1st Pass i.e. KongmaLa. and then after EBC & Kalapathar, we decided to skip Cho-La due to icy conditions reported on top of that Pass. 

So we decided to go around the lower route Via Phortse to Gokyo. But then I caught a bad cold with wracking cough (from the dust on the trails along Pangboche) and at Lower Phortse decided to skip rest of the trek and return to Lukla and KTM. Premanth too decided to turn around and come with me, while Manjunath decided to carry on to Gokyo and rejoin us in Kathmandu a few days later. 

On the whole I was satisfied with this attempt, knowing that I could have done it all .. but for the cold and cough I caught. I should have taken some medicines with me (for dust allergy) and taken a few days rest at Phortse to recover. Anyway the 3-P or the unfinished 2P remains for a future date!

Though I started the Day-wise diary of the Trek and did first 2-3 days as sub-menu  to this Main page later I stopped doing those and instead uploaded day-wise albums with each picture having a detaile title that could easily serve as a more detailed account. Those albums are available  by clicking the button below: 

First view of Mt. Everest the peak behind the massive Nuptse ridge in front

 Mt Everest (L) and Lhoste & Lhotse-Shar (R)

Namche Bazaar view from the ridge ... above as we descend from Khunde

Hikers crossing the bridge towards Pangboche .. and Ama Dablam

Me, Manjunath and Premnath on top of Kongma La Pass at 5535M