Trek the Loh La – West of Everest

Trek to Loh La is a pioneering high altitude trek to the crest of the Lho La, right on the remote border of Tibet and Nepal. The efforts, and lightweight style final approach, is well rewarded by spectacular views into the Western Cwm, across the great Northern Walls Mt Nuptse, and directly into the moving “Ice River” of the Khumbu Icefall across the border. The Lhotse face and South west face are seen from here too.

This trek affords perspectives of Mt. Everest which have only been the domain of mountaineers in the past, due to access being available only by a mountaineering permit. The route followed takes the trail to the North Side of Everest, but continues past the East Rongbuk Glacier to the site of Tilman’s 1938 “Lake Camp”, (west side base camp today) continuing to the site of his old North Face Camp before breaking out across the glacier under Everest’s West Ridge to the vantage point of the Lho La. This is where in 1922 George Mallory stood and pronounced the Khumbu Icefall as ‘unclimbable’. His legacy here was to name the hanging glacier above the ice fall, the Western Cwm, as a fond memory of his welsh climbs back home in UK.

For many adventurous people, the Lho La is a more prized (and achievable) goal than the summit of Everest itself due to its historical importance, remoteness, and its unspoilt and pristine condition as an objective; all this without the inherent risks and dangers associated with higher altitude.

The journey begins with an acclimatisation phase in the Kathmandu Valley, before flying to Lhasa and visiting the Potala Palace, the Norbulinka and other Lhasa sites before crossing in 4 x4 vehicles the Tibetan Plateau to the monasteries and forts of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar.