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Everest Range:
This region has
four 8,000-meter plus grand peaks such as Lhotse
(8,516m),
Makalu (8,463m), and Cho Oyu (8,201m),
including the world's highest
Mt. Everest (8,848m).
boasting of many other high and famous peaks, the Khumbu Himal is a region that represents not only
the Nepal Himalaya but also the Great Himalayan
Range itself.
Mt. Everest is
called “Sagarmatha” in Nepalese and “Chomolungma” in
Chinese. Since 1921, the first ascent of its summit
was challenged several times by a British party from
the Tibet side in the north. It was achieved only in
1953 from the Nepal side in the south by Edmund
Hillary and Tenzing Norgey Sherpa. Other first
ascent successes include: Lhotse was climbed by a
Swiss party in 1956 from the west face; Makalu by a
French party in 1958 via the northwest ridge; Cho
Oyu by an Austrian party in 1954 from the west
ridge.
This
region attracts more trekkers than any other
mountains in the world. They usually visit Kala
Patter, the viewpoint of Mt. Everest,
Gokyo Peak,
Chhukung etc.
The Khumbu or
Everest region is the most popular trekking area in
Nepal. It would probably be the most popular
destination, but it is more difficult to get to Solu
Khumbu than to the
Annapurna area. To get near
Everest, you must either walk for 10 days or fly to Lukla, a remote mountain airstrip where flights are
notoriously unreliable.
Solu Khumbu is
justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to
the world's highest mountain (8848 m), but also for
its Sherpa villages and monasteries. The primary
goal of an Everest trek is the Everest base camp at
an elevation of about 5340 meters. But you cannot
see Everest from the base camp, so most trekkers
climb Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5545-metre bump on
the southern flank of Pumori (7145 metres).
Other than the
problem of access, the other major complication to
an Everest trek is the high likelihood of Acute
Mountain Sickness (AMS). Climbing faster to a high
place causes this potentially deadly disease,
commonly known as altitude sickness. Be sure to read
the section on mountain sickness in the Health &
First Aid chapter if you are planning an Everest
trek. If you suffer symptoms of altitude sickness
and cannot go to base camp, you can still make a
worthwhile trek to less ambitious destinations such
as Namche Bazaar, the administrative headquarters of
the Khumbu region; Khumjung or Thami, more typical
Sherpa villages; or Tengboche Monastery. From
Tengboche you will have an excellent view of Everest
and its more spectacular neighbour Ama Dablam (6856m.)
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TREKKING ITINERARIES
