Nepal: Climbing and Trekking in the Magical Kingdom

Overview | Everest Base Camp Trek | Island Peak | Chulu East
Mera Peak | Annapurna Sanctuary

Mera Peak (21,247')

Mera Peak is the highest of the permitted "Trekking Peaks". The trek begins by flying into the heart of the Himalaya to the village of Lukla. From here we cross a high pass into a remote valley and steadily acclimate as we move toward base camp. We establish a high camp on the glacier from where we attempt the summit. We will review and practice glacier travel and cravasse rescue tchniques as well as basic snow climbing techniques from our high camp while we acclimate.

We will have excellent views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and other spectacular peaks. This is a great trek and climb in an ancient land where Sherpas still graze yaks, cook on yak dung fires and live a very simple life. Our food and equipment will be carried by porters to make our trip more enjoyable and culturally interesting.

This is the perfect trip for the mountaineer who wants to make the most of his himalayan adventure by living in unique culture and climbing in traditional himalayan alpine style.

Our trek and climb will be supported by a sherpa guide (sirdar), cook team and an experienced SWA guide. We spend a significant amount of time acclimating to new altitudes to increase safety and comfort levels. We cover basic mountaineering skills on the glacier prior to our climb.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Depart U.S.
• Day 2: Arrive in Bangkok
• Day 3 - 4: Katmandu.
• Day 5: Fly to Lukla . Prepare for trek to base camp
• Day 6: Chutanga (10,410 ft.). We begin our ascent up the lush mountain side where few foreigners ever explore.
• Day 7: FromChutanga we gain more elevation and camp below a high pas near a scenic stream, overlooking the high himalaya (12, 800 ft.).
• Day 8: Tuli Kharka(14,436 ft.). We continue or climb through the Zatrwa Og where we get outstanding views of the himalayan giants Number and karyolung. We continue through the Zatrwa La and descend to Tuli Kharka.
• Day 9: Tashing Ongma (11,489 ft.). As we descend through uninhabited terrain we enjoy forests of rhododendron, pine and birch.
• Day 10: Tangnag (14,287 ft.). We traverse the Hinku Dranka then climb through kharkas to Tangnag, surrounded by Mera Peak, Kusum Kangru and Peak 43.
• Day 11: Dig Khare (15,5,17 ft.). We follow the glacial lateral moraine up to a camp in an open plain beside the Dig Glacier.
• Day 12: Base camp (17,765ft). We hike up lateral moraine to near the toe of the Mera glacier, and ascend easy snow slopes to base camp at the Mera La.
• Day 13: Base camp. Today is a rest day where we acclimate and prepare our equipment for glacier, snow and ice practice the following day.
• Day 14: Base camp. We will go out onto the Mera Glacier and review and practice, basic glacier travel and snow climbing techniques.
• Day 15: High camp (19,024 ft.). We climb up to the Mera La then proceed to high camp on a rocky ridge. From high above the Hinku and Hongu valleys we get fantastic views of Chamlang and Makalu to the East.
• Day 16: Summit day. We get up early and continue up the Mera Glacier and connect with the summit ridge. After traversing the Central Summit we arrive on the higher Western summit by a classic ridge climb. We descend back to Tangnag.
• Day 17: Orshela (14,117 ft.). We traverse above the Hinku Dranka to the kharka of Orshela. We have spectacular views of the massive West face of Mera Peak.
• Day 18: Chutanga (10,410 ft). We begin with a steep Climb to a pass then a high traverse to the Zatr teeng. We then descend to a scenic camp site high above the Dudh Kosi.
• Day 19: Lukla. Our last trekking day is short and takes us back to the town of Lukla.
• Day 20: Fly to Katmandu.
• Day 21: Katmandu. This can be for shopping or sight seeing but is also a buffer day in case of a possible flight delay in Lukla
• Day 22: Fly to Bangkok.
• Day 23: Fly to and arrive in the United States

Please note that this itinerary give a basic day to day plan. It may be altered slightly due to a variety of factors.