Cho La

[Todd Delaney]

Just came over Cho La yesterday from the Gokyo side, it was very difficult...lots of snow on the way up to the glacier...

It is quite dangerous coming from the Lobuche side...a number of people were using crampons getting down the Gokyo side. If going down towards Gokyo I would not do it without crampons...

however going from Gokyo toward Lobuche is a little easier, I did it without crampons, but it was a little hairy in some parts, very slippery and very steep icy snow...once up on the glacier it is fine.

[Spaceman347]

Thanks for the update Todd, what are the tourist numbers like? Is there much construction going on in Namche?

[Harry]

Just came over Cho La yesterday from the Gokyo side, it was very difficult...lots of snow on the way up to the glacier...

It is quite dangerous coming from the Lobuche side...a number of people were using crampons getting down the Gokyo side. If going down towards Gokyo I would not do it without crampons...

however going from Gokyo toward Lobuche is a little easier, I did it without crampons, but it was a little hairy in some parts, very slippery and very steep icy snow...once up on the glacier it is fine.

Hi Todd,

Did you have ice on the gully after your descent to Dzongla?
Last spring it was quite filled with ice going up on the big boulders.toward the glacier from Dzongla side. About 3 years ago, whe needed fixed rope on the way down to Gokyo side. Think it has been snowing in last september.
Think most trekkers don't realise that this crossing is still a very serious one if conditions are not perfect.

Harry

[Todd Delaney]

Spaceman - Re Tourist numbers... I had not done the Solo Khumbu before so I didn't really have a reference as to numbers...however, there were certainly a lot less people than I expected, less than when I did AC in 2001 in April. Also most of the people I came across were in large organised groups that tended to stick to themselves. I did meet some independent trekkers in Gokyo though which was a nice change at the Cho Oyu View Lodge on the lake. I flew at of Lukla 15th Oct, and the numbers on the trail seemed to be increasing everyday...perhaps I was more on the shoulder season.

No Snow on the decent to Dzongla...

I have seen people asking which side it is best to do Cho La from...For what is is worth, my vote would be that it is best to do it from the Gokyo Side.

[Harry]

Spaceman - Re Tourist numbers... I had not done the Solo Khumbu before so I didn't really have a reference as to numbers...however, there were certainly a lot less people than I expected, less than when I did AC in 2001 in April. Also most of the people I came across were in large organised groups that tended to stick to themselves. I did meet some independent trekkers in Gokyo though which was a nice change at the Cho Oyu View Lodge on the lake. I flew at of Lukla 15th Oct, and the numbers on the trail seemed to be increasing everyday...perhaps I was more on the shoulder season.

No Snow on the decent to Dzongla...

I have seen people asking which side it is best to do Cho La from...For what is is worth, my vote would be that it is best to do it from the Gokyo Side.

Todd,

I agree with that, going up in steep ice is more easy than going down.
But also the rocky gully toward Dzongla can have plenty of tricky spots when there is ice inside. Be aware of that.....

Harry