Dispatches - Three Peaks Nepal 2022

Follow dispatches, news and updates from Adventure Consultants' Three Peaks Nepal Expedition 2022, as the team climbs Island Peak, Pokalde & Lobuche East.

2 November 2022

Three Passes and Three Peaks Begin!

We are pleased to announce that the Nepal Three Passes and Three Peaks Expeditions are now underway! With the teams all arrived in Kathmandu ready to go, everyone has had their gear checked, enjoyed a team briefing and is excited to be here. Charles is our last team member to arrive and he will be arriving late tomorrow in time for our flight out to Lukla together.

Both the teams were welcomed at our traditional welcome dinner at our favourite restaurant, Le Sherpa. They’re scheduled for a city tour tomorrow. We will have a daily dispatch of these two wonderful trips. Please stay tuned. Thank you Chhiring and Da Jangbu.

Photos: (L) Team briefing and (R) Welcome dinner at the famous Le Sherpa Restaurant by Chhiring Sonam Sherpa.

3 November 2022

Kathmandu Delights!

This morning both the Three Passes and Three Peaks team departed for a city tour, visiting two historic sites, Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO enlisted world heritage site which is tone of the largest stupa in the world and very popular with its beauty, serenity, and spirituality. Pashupatinath temple, also a UNESCO enlisted world’s heritage site and it’s regarded as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for the Hindu devotees around the world. It’s also auspicious because Pashupatinath is considered as the protector of the universe and the patron deity of Nepali people. 

Everyone is excited for our early morning helicopter flight tomorrow to Lukla, where we begin our trek with an easy 3 hour hike to the small village of Phakding (2,610m). Chhiring and Da Jangbu. 

Photos: (L) Some of the team at Boudhanath Stupa, (Below) Marc taking photos of Boudhanath and the team at Pashupatinath by Chhiring Sonam Sherpa.

4 November 2022

Scenic Helicopter Flight to Lukla

The official first day of trekking starts with early morning pick up from the hotel and a drive to the domestic airport for our flight to Lukla. The weather was great. Without waiting long, bags were checked. It was a very smooth scenic flight through the beautiful Himalayan terrain with outstanding weather. We had our first glimpse of Everest and surrounding mountains which was just breathtaking.

We’re assisted by our porters and assistant Kunga Sherpa at the Lukla airport with our bags. Together with the Three Passes team we had breakfast before heading to Phakding, our destination for the day. It was a short walk this afternoon through the Sherpa villages, crossing multiple long suspension bridges This area is considered as the main agricultural center of the Khumbu Valley with its warm weather through out the year. We stopped at Ghat for a short refreshment break before we arrived Phakding for lunch. The afternoon was well spent with some napping or wandering around town. We are heading to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) tomorrow and we will enter the national park area officially. Thank you for following. Team Three Peaks from Phakding.

Photos: (R) Scenic views from the helicopter by Da Jangbu Sherpa and (Below) The teams in Lukla ready to trek and Make way for Donkey's on the trail! by Chhiring Sonam Sherpa.

5 November 2022

Off to Namche Bazaar

As a daily routine, we pack our bags before sitting down for breakfast so that our porters can leave earlier and get to our destination on time. After breakfast, we started our day walking through the small town of Monjo and then officially entered the Sagarmatha (the Nepalese name for Everest) National Park and stopped at the small village of Jorsalle for lunch. After lunch the trail took us along the banks of Dudh Kosi River and crossing multiple swing bridges to the base of Namche Hill (2,950m). From here the trail went steadily up. Maintaining a slow pace is the most important thing that we did on this 300 vertical trail.

After a couple of hours of hiking, the welcoming sight of the natural amphitheater of Namche Bazaar revealed itself just in front of us, magnificent. After a must needed refreshments, most of us had pretty great afternoon resting and relaxing. We are having our first active rest day tomorrow. Will have some hiking to the neighboring villages as planed for acclimatization. Signing off from Namche Bazaar. 

Photos: (L top) Crossing a suspension bridge enroute to Namche, (R) Climbing the infamous Namche Hill by Chhiring Sonam Sherpa and (L) Arriving in Namche by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

6 November 2022

Acclimatisation Day in Namche

Today was an active rest day, we headed out for a day hike to Khumjung (3,790m) after a hearty breakfast. The trail was gentle uphill until we spotted an outstanding views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and many other surrounding mountains from the hillside near Khumjung. We visited the first school ever built in Khumjung, the Hillary School, named for the late Sir Edmund Hillary who helped build it. After that we visited the Khumjung Monastery and admired the Yeti skull which has been kept since the 16th century. We then headed back to Namche via the Everest View Hotel. It was long but very productive day. Team members enjoyed the evening with a great night view of Namche at the coffee hub before sitting for dinner. We are heading to Phortse (3,800m) tomorrow. Thank you for following our journey. 

Photos: (L top) Hiking above Shyngboche to Khumjung, (R) Both teams at Khumjung with Ama Dablam in the distance, (Below)  Hiking through dense rhododendron forest by Chhiring Sonam Sherpa and the Three Peaks team near the Everest View Hotel by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

7 November 2022

Trek to Phortse

Today the team trekked from Namche to Phortse (3,950m) via the Mong La (3,970m). The trail to the Mong La diverges off the main Everest trail and climbs steadily to the small hamlet of Mong La Village before descending down to the Dudh Koshi River. From here it's a steep, but short climb back up the other side of the valley to Phortse. The team enjoyed another brilliant clear sky day with spectacular views and warm temperatures. Tomorrow the team continue their journey further into the Khumbu, trekking through Pangboche into the alpine zone to Pheriche. AC Office for the Three Peaks team.

Photo: The team enroute to Phortse by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

8 November 2022

Upwards to Pheriche!

Last night we visited the Khumbu Climbing Centre in Phorste, where young Sherpa wishing to pursue a career in the mountains are training in safe climbing practices and techniques. We explored through the building, enjoying some time looking through the library and at the large climbing wall. We were also very lucky to see the Phortse Women's Group performing Lohsar Pulu, which is a deusi (traditional song) for the harvest festival celebrated in the month of November on the night of the full moon. 

It seemed the weather was going to be cloudy this morning, but it improved as we walked along the trail between Phortse and Pangboche. It was perfect hiking weather - not too hot and sunny and also not too cold! We are noticing the mornings and evenings are starting to get colder as we gain height in the Khumbu, a reminder that the winter season is not too far away. We reached the small village of Pangboche at a quarter to eleven, and stopped there for lunch.

The highlight of the day was visiting the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, the Pangboche Monastery after lunch, where all team members received a blessing from the Holy Lama Ngawang Paljor. He prayed for a safe and successful trip for all of us, and all members were blessed and left feeling motivated and safe for the upcoming days. We were lucky to have the chance to have a quick snap with the Lama in his precious holy religious dolma lang (green tara puja room). Pictured right.

After visiting the monastery we resumed our hike towards Pheriche, stopping each time we pass a yak for Charlie to take photos :). Rob and Hamish, who have visited Nepal in the past both commented on how much more cleaner and modernised the villages are becoming. Everyone is enjoying themselves and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Da Jangbu for the Three Peaks team.

Photos (L) Rob, Hamish and Kunga ahead on the trail with Ama Dablam behind, (R) The team with Lama Ngawang Paljor, (Below) Rob, Hamish, Tim, Da Jangbu and Charles above Phortse and Charles standing in front of Ama Dablam by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

9 November 2022

A Beautiful Acclimatisation Day in Pheriche

It was a wonderful morning today, with sun shining on the surrounding peaks giving spectacular mountain views everywhere we looked! Today is an acclimatisation day in Pheriche as the title suggests. It is very important to make our bodies comfortable with the increasing altitude, where oxygen levels are decreasing every step we take. This is why we schedule in a number of active acclimatisation days throughout the trip.

After an amazing breakfast we commenced our acclimatisation hike to Nagkazang (4,630m). Nagkazang is a popular hiking hill where people come to acclimate before moving on to Lobuche. Moreover, there is a small gumpa in Nagkazang where the local people from Pangboche, Dingboche and Pheriche come to do fasting for four days during the end of July.

We continued hiking to around 4,800m before deciding it was enough for the day. All of the team were mesmerized with the views of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse and many other peaks. We all unanimously decided to name one of the hills in Nagkazang as Charles Peak. After that we went to Dingboche for lunch and quickly grabbed some equipment that we need for the trip from our store in Dingboche. We then made our way back to our lodge in Pheriche to reflect on a wonderful day!

Everyone in the team is happy and healthy and ready to head to Lobuche tomorrow. Thujichee (Thank you in Sherpa), from Da Jangbu and the AC Three Peaks team!

Photos: (Top) The North Face of Ama Dablam above the fields of Dingboche, (Top L) Da Jangbu, Tim, Rob and Charles, (Top R) Taking photos at Nagkazang, (Bottom L) Tim, Rob, Charles and Kunga and (Bottom R) Relaxing in the lodge lounge by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

10 November 2022

Onwards to Lobuche

Another beautiful day started with a bit of fresh air before sunshine. Everyday it seems, the Himalayas are kind to us. The sun shines brightly in the sky and the mountains maintain their majestic pose.

Today we started our hike late with a gentle walk from Pheriche, with a little breeze hitting us passing a little village Forangkara. Forangkara is a small village where most of the house are for yak/nak herding purpose and the land is pastures. The locals only live there during grass cutting season.

We made it to our lunch place, Thukla after 3 hours of walking. All of the members had Sherpa stew which has become a quite popular and powerful food like dal bhat for Nepali. After lunch it was a steep slope climb before reaching the famous Everest memorial stop. We stopped there for couple of minutes and paid our respect to some of our climbers that one might have read about or have met before they became unstuck on slopes of Everest.

From there it was a flat trail, so our hard work was over and we made it to Lobuche at half past three.

Tomorrow is our skills training day, getting familiar with high altitude climbing gear like crampons, harness, carabiners, ascenders, etc. Everyone is excited for it.

Until then, Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks Nepal

Photos: (Top) Trekking to Lobuche, (L) Meditating at 4,850m and (R) Dinner in Lobuche by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

Training Day in Lobuche

Good morning from Lobuche! Today was our climbing skills training day which everyone was excited for. Shortly after breakfast, we checked the climbing gear of each of our members and made sure that their harness, helmet, carabiner, jumar, boots and crampons all fit them perfectly.

Once the gear check was one, Chewang Dorji (our Climbing Sherpa) and I set up a fixed rope to allow some practice using the jumar, as well as belay device technique practice prior to the climb of Lobuche East. It is very much important to learn and refresh these techniques, so today was a valuable session to ensure the team are comfortable with the techniques for safety. In addition, we have a team of highly experienced Climbing Sherpas working with us to help the team.

All the team enjoyed the training session and seemed pretty much comfortable with the techniques. Once the training was done, it was lunch time for us. After lunch it was relaxing afternoon with books and kindle.

Tomorrow, the plan is to go to Gorak Shep (5,164m) and include a hike up to Kala Patar, and if the weather is kind, enjoy some spectacular views.

Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022

Photos: Training day images by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

12 November 2022

We made it to Kala Patar!

We arouse to another astonishing day with a cup of coffee and delicious breakfast in Lobuche. After the sun shines over the village, we emerged from the comfort of the lodge and commenced our hike to Gorak Shep, the last stop before heading Everest Base Camp.

The trail was busy today, with all lots of tourists and porters, all of them, like us, aiming to reach Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Patar. We stopped a couple of times for drinks and chocolate break enjoying the beauty of nature.

After walking through the rocky, dusty, windy trial and glacier for two and half hours, we made it to Gorak Shep. After a short break in this somewhat desolate town to refuel with ginger lemon honey and lunch, the team went off to climb the nearby Kala Patar.

We reached the top of Kala Patar after three hours of walking uphill, including climbing the rocky path at the end. The weather was amazing giving us perfect view of mighty Everest, Lhostse, Nuptse, Pumori, Khumbutse, Lingten etc...

Charles was in tears of joy after reaching the top of Kala Patar and witnessing the beauty of the Himalayan range. After taking couples of photos we returned back downhill to our lodge. We will explore Everest Base Camp tomorrow and return back to Lobuche and begin the climbing part of this expedition.

Signing off, Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022

Photos: (L Top) Yaks on frosty ground near Lobuche, (R Top) The team on Kala Patar, (L) Mount Everest from Kala Patar and (R) Da Jangbu pointing to the summit of Everest which he has climbed to an impressive 13 times!

13 November 2022

Private Space in EBC

We started our day early, with a morning walk to Everest Base Camp (EBC), the focal point of this trekking route. It was a very quiet trail with no one in the way except for the couple of choppers doing scenic mountain flights. We took the path that was made by our Everest Climbing Sherpa in 2018 and reached Everest Base Camp in two hours to find EBC much quieter than we had expected.

It was amazing to have our team only in EBC, that's very rare, particularly during this time year. That's why we decided to choose Private Space in EBC as our headline for the day.

On our way back, we visited the Memorial stupa of Rob Hall, a famous New Zealand mountain guide (former owner of AC) whom you have undoubtedly read about ,heard or watched. Me (Da Jangbu) and Phu Tashi our former climbing sherpa staff built the memorial in 2017 at a spot where you can see the summit of Everest to make sure his memorial faces the summit of Everest.

After lunch we headed back to Lobuche and surprisingly we meet our AC Three Passes team on the glacier near Gorak Shep. It was really good to see them and catch up on our respective journeys.

The team enjoyed a relaxing afternoon to make sure they are fit to head Lobuche High Camp tomorrow.

Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022.

Photos: (R) The team, at the Everest Base Camp rock, (L) The team in a signature AC pose at Everest Base Camp and (Below) Meeting the Three Passes team on the trail and Rob Hall's Memorial Stupa by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

14 November 2022

Climbing Phase Starts

Today we began our climbing phase of the trip. It was a quite warm this morning compared to the last few days. That was strange. There was more cloud in the sky covering the mountain so we were worried about bad weather, but luckily that was not the case.

The trail to high camp was sort of flat for first half hour, then it was a uphill for most of the time with lots of rock scrambling before a little downhill at the end.

All the team went to bed early after a hearty meal of dal bhat, as we need to wake up really early for the big Lobuche East summit day.

Will update you about the summit, stay tuned

Till then
Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks team 2022

Photos: (Top) Lobuche High Camp (L) Traversing a huge rock wall enroute to Lobuche High Camp, (R) and Scrambling across rocky slopes on the way to High Camp by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

15 November 2022

Lobuche East Summit!

Today Tim and Rob along with our Expedition Sirdar Da Jangbu and Climbing Sherpa Chewang Dorji made it summit of the Lobuche East at 7 am. Huge congratulations to Tim and Rob for their first summit of Lobuche East!

The weather was absolutely fantastic giving us stunning views of Mount Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and many other mountains including panoramic view of Khumbu Valley.

We made it back to the comfort of the Lobuche lodge after what has been a very long day.

Thank you
Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks team 2022

Photos: The team celebrating and soaking in the views from the summit of Lobuche East by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

16 November 2022

Camping at Pokalde High Camp

Today, we left Lobuche early after spending five days in that area. The team had really tough day yesterday so we were all tired and slow.

It was a Kongma La pass day, between the pass and Lobuche village we walked cross the Khumbu Glacier, with its creaking and groaning sound as the ice cracks and moves underfoot. Tim and Rob felt like they were in Wales for a moment.

Kongma is the Sherpa word for a species of mountain pheasant that lives in the Himalaya.

We made it to Pokalde High Camp, which sits not far from the top of the pass, at 12pm and then step up the camp. The team had a great camping experience with me and Chewang changing our role into cook and serving them food.

We are looking forward to climbing Pokalde tomorrow.

Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022

17 November 2022

Pokalde Summit and team reunited!

Hello, from the top of the Pokalde. We started at six in the morning after having coffee and porridge in the camp, roped up for two fixed rope, donning our harness and helmet.

Tim, DJ and Chewang Dorji made it to the summit of Pokalde at eight o''clock in the morning. Rob has the Khumbu cough and was tired, so he decided to save energy for Island Peak and rested at camp while we summited.

After returning to camp we packed up and headed to Chhukung, arriving at three in the afternoon and there we reunited with Charles. It was good to have Charles back.

The team will have a rest day here in Chhukung before we head to Island Peak.

Until then
Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022

Photos: (L) Da Jangbu, Tim and Chewang Dorji on the summit of Pokalde and (R) On the Kongma La by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

18 November 2022

Rest day in Chhukung

We woke up with the beautiful sun shine over the Khumbu Himalaya here in Chhukung village, with calm knowing it was a fully rest day. Chhukung is a beautiful village in the Himalaya, south of Mount Everest.

It was a really beautiful sunny day so Tim and Rob read books basking the sun outside the veranda of the amazing Khang Ri Lodge in Chhukung. Charles along with Kunga hiked up to Chhukung Ri to have view of Island Peak Base Camp, Imja Lake and walked up to 5,200m.

Then after lunch all the team had a very relaxing afternoon in the bakery with special coffee, apple pie, cinnamon roll etc... It was a much needed treat for all of us after climbing for the last couple days.

Most of the team had a cold and cough but it's all part of the package that comes with the wonderful adventure of a high altitude trekking journey. They are all recovering well and we all set for Island Peak Base Camp tomorrow.

Dhanyabad (Thank you in Nepali)

Da Jangbu Sherpa for AC Three Peaks Expedition 2022

20 November 2022

Island Peak Summit

Charles, Rob, Tim along with our Expedition Sirdar Da Jangbu and Climbing Sherpas Kunga and Chewang Dorji all made it to the summit of Island Peak at 8 am today. Congratulations to all the team, especially Charles who miss out on the previous two peaks.

We started our walk toward the summit around 1:20am. The Sherpa team set up 100m of fixed rope and anchors where the main Korean ropes were a little damaged for our clients safety - reasons for which AC is renowned. After 2 hours we reached the High Camp, then we climbed up the rock gully. Following a ridge-line to the summit glacier and climbing up a steep snow slope we reached the summit. There we saw magnificent views from the top unfolding a 360° landscape with the amazing sight of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Mera Peak.

The team is now back at our Chhukung lodge after what has been a long and successful climbing day for the team. Our climbing phase of the trip has come to end and we will start our return back to Lukla from tomorrow.

Thank you
Da Jangbu for AC Three Peaks 2022. Photos: (Top L) Charles on the summit of Island Peak, (R) Da Jangbu and Tim, (Below) Charles and Kunga, Chewang Dorji and Rob, and Tim all celebrating on the summit of Island Peak by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

21 November 2022

Back to Pangboche

Another wonderful morning in Chhukung village started with a cup of coffee and some breakfast as usual. We started our way back late, at 9:30 in the morning, it was a beautiful sunny day here in the Khumbu. Rob, Tim and Charles are all very glad that they've had a wonderful time up in amongst the peaks.

The team made it to Dingboche for lunch, after walking down for one and a half hours, then we spend couple of hours in Dingboche before heading to Pangboche, where we stay tonight. All the members are feeling better as we continue to drop down to the lower altitude. We now seem to be recovering from the colds and coughs that have been bothering us. 

Tomorrow we are walking down to Namche, the hub of Khumbu.

Thank you, Da Jangbu Sherpa for AC Three Peaks 2022

Photos: (L) The team at Chhukung before leaving - Our veteran climbing Sherpa team, Chewang Dorji, Kunga and Da Jangbu, along with team members Tim, Rob and Charles and (R) A Himalayan Pheasant alongside the trail to Pangboche by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

22 November 2022

We made it back to Namche

We woke to yet another good morning from Pangboche, with amazing views of Ama Dablam and Mount Khantega from our Trekkers Holiday Inn Lodge.

Today we headed back to Namche Bazaar. After hiking for 7 hours we made it to Namche. The team walked a different path from the one we headed upward two weeks ago. From Pangboche we headed up to Tengboche and visited the local monastery before passing through Phugitenga village, which is near the river. It is one of the more popular lunch places along the trek and we also had lunch there.

All the members are fine, enjoying their evening in Namche strolling around the shops and cafes. We will be spending our morning in Namche for shopping before we head down to Phakding.

Thank you, Da Jangbu Sherpa for AC Three Peaks Expedition 2022

Photos: (L) Tengboche Monastery, dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, (R) Waking to stunning views in Pangboche, (Below) The Dudh Koshi River, The team having fun on the trail to Namche, and Passing Yaks on the trail by Da Jangbu Sherpa.

23 November 2022

A Morning in Namche

Another beautiful day of weather again this morning in Namche. We spent our morning in Sherpa Culture Museum. It is a must visit place for any tourists having an extra day or wondering what to do in Namche.

The Sherpa Culture Museum located here in Namche Bazaar, being the heart of the world-acclaimed Everest district. The museum is built with customary Sherpa planning and design. It has many of the old and lost Sherpa relics, giving us a unique perspective of what the Sherpa lifestyle looked like in the past, before the travel and tourism industry came to Nepal. The house comprises of a family lounge room on the first floor, along with a separate family prayer room. The ground floor is the dairy animals stable, and there is a yak excrement and wood store for burning in the stove. The design is simple, and very much like a conventional Sherpa family home.

There has also been time while we're here in Namche for the team to visit the local barber for a traditional Nepali shave and hair cut (pictured below).

After a delicious lunch at the Khumbu Lodge, our journey downward to Phakding began. We walked a zigzag downhill until the famous suspension bridge. The team enjoyed the view of magnificent Thamserku, while we rest for the one last time before we made it to Phakding, where we spent our first night in the Khumbu.

We will be walking to Lukla tomorrow before flying to back to Kathmandu.

Dhanyabad (Thank you in Nepali), Da Jangbu Sherpa for AC Three Peaks Expedition 2022