Gokyo to Base Camp via Cho La

[Stephen]

am interested in trekking Lukla to Gokyo also to Kala Pattar/ Base Camp.
Has any one been through the Cho La pass. Some guide books talk about needing mountaineering skills.
I have some experience as a trekker 7 days Annapurna 7 days Ladakh but do not want to push things if it isnt safe etc.
Has anyone been through the Cho La .I know many companies do so as camping treks. I am hoping to use lodges but I presujme that might not be possible if the Cho La is used.
Can any one give any info. Will probably be going in Feb-March. IS that too early?
Thanks

[Petrus]

The route does not involve climbing, but finding the route on the east (Everest) side can be a bit tricky. Sometimes there is also some crevases on the glacier. When I passed there in march -85 it was easy. Last year some friends of mine went across, no problems.
The pass is not all that bad, for a fit person it is possible to go all the way from Lobuche to Na in one day, but that would be hard and require an early start and good weather.
There are now some small lodges closer to the pass on both sides, but they are open only when the pass has become passable. Even then snow might close the pass on short notice. Ask around when you get there.
The route around using the high paths from Na to Phortse and Pangpoche is also spectacular. I have hiked that route twice. Not too many trekkers there and we have seen Musk deer and plenty of Thar on that route. So if Cho La is impassapble do not feel too bad about it. It takes only one day longer to take the detour.

[Daniel Ionita]

Cho La should be OK in Feb/March. However, like with any high passes, the weather ON THE DAY is all important. Talking to the locals, listening to guides etc will be vital. Otherwise there should be no technical difficulties in reasonable weather and without fresh snow on the ground.
>
> I am interested in trekking Lukla to Gokyo also to Kala Patt
> ar/ Base Camp.
>
> Has any one been through the Cho La pass.
> Some guide books talk about needing mountaineering skills.
>
> I have some experience as a trekker 7 days Annapurna 7 da
> ys Ladakh but do not want to push things if it isnt safe etc
> .
> Has anyone been through the Cho La .I know many companies
> do so as camping treks. I am hoping to use lodges but I pre
> sujme that might not be possible if the Cho La is used.
>
> C
> an any one give any info. Will probably be going in Feb-Mar
> ch. IS that too early?
>
> Thanks

[D Sherpa]

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