note of Chhukhung - Kongma La - Lobuche

[triste]

Based on my experience in January 2007, here is another description about the route from Chhukhung, crossing Kongma La to Lobuche, with map and photos.

First, consider to stay in Chhukhung for 1 or 2 days before crossing Kongma La, the Chhukhung Ri (5550 m) & area near Imja Tsho worth a visit.

view of Chhukhung Ri


view of Imja Tsho


scan of map

[triste]

For safety & leisure, I hired a guide from the Ama Dablam View Lodge for crossing Kongma La. IMO, if you're well acclimatized, there's no difficulty.

Part 1: Chhukhung to valley after Nuptse glacier, steep, about 1.25 hour.

The trail started from the slope, northwest of Chhukhung, going upward steadily. You arrived the "mouth" of the valley.

Starting point


looking backward after 15 minutes


Chhukhung at lower right corner.

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Part 2: mouth of Valley to icefall, flat, about 1 hour.

Flat, I meant go upward over a long distance

In the right-half of the following photo, note the icefall, and the triangular summit far behind, you'll discover them in later photos.

going northward


approaching the icefall


landmark in front of icefall

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Part 3: icefall to slope with white vertical trace, very steep, about 1 hour.

Fortunately, on the left hand side of the landmark, there's a significant trail going upwards, with big & small stones.

looking backward


trail with stones


The trail turned right near the top of icefall, then you could see a slope with a white vertical trace, keep going.

one quarter from right, the slope have a white trace

[triste]

Afterward, you passed some iced river/pond, then climb the slope from the right.

approaching the slope


near the slope


Looking backward, you could see the "mouth" of valley and trail of part 2


Well, here's a stitched photo of the view from the top of the above said slope, you might recognize the triangular summit. The Kongma La is next to the lowest point of the ridge.

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Part 4: slope with white vertical trace to Kongma La, flat then very steep, about 1 hour.

The trail is significant here, leading towards an iced lake. Passing the iced lake, it's the short, steep trail to Kongma La, full of screes.

iced lake


trail passed near iced lake


trail before Kongma La


trail with screes

[triste]

My advices:

If you are well acclimatized, crossing Kongma La from either side is not difficult.

No support / lodge en route, no escape route; bring enough food & water.

Considering to hire guide / porter, or to trek in group.

Bring prayer flag from Namche Bazaar, put it on the la.

[thesilvertops]

An excellent report which be of great help to those planning to do this walk. Lovely pics of it all as well. Thank you. Q. How long did it take you - lodge to lodge?

A couple of notes on the pictures. In the first photo (Chhukhung Ri) you can clearly see the path up Chhukhung Ri. This is an excellent sidetrip if you have the time. Fantastic views of the great wall of Nuptse/Lhotse and great views to the east (including Makalu), to the south and the west. In the second picture (Imja Tsho) the path to Island Peak basecamp is visible just to the left of centre near the bottom of the picture. It is also possible to walk to the right of the Imja Glacier to where there is a small round lake (not visible in the photo). You can climb the lateral moraine of the glacier to look down on the ice but it is very unstable with rocks falling constantly and the ice booming and cracking below. If you do this, be very careful, you would probably not get out if you fell down towards the ice.

Looking East from Chhukhung Ri:


Looking south:


Looking north:


We missed out on Chhukhung last trip because we had a date to be in Pokhara and I very much regret it.

[Sharon]

My preference was Lobouche to Chukkung. The lakes in the Fall are a gorgeous turquoise blue and the climb up the stepper part is a good ascent and then a meander down the pleasnat trail to Chukkung.

[kegarne]

At the start of the climb to Kongma La( from Lobuche) with ascent route shown.....