Mera, Island, and Khumbu Circuit

Mera Peak: 6461m AMSL
Island Peak: 6189m AMSL
Geographic location: Khumbu Region, Nepal
Date climbed: 18.10.2003 - 28.11.2003
Team leader: Anthony Wong
Team members: Ng Meng Hui, Chia Yong Kwang
Germaine Goh, Susan Cheong
Eric Tan (doctor), David Wong
Chief guide: Assim Tamang
Assistant guides: Dal Bardor, Passang
Cook cum assistant guide: Kapore
Trekking agency: Pike Peak Trek

SAC's 40th Anniversary Trek

On 18th October 2003, a team of 7 trekkers set off from Singapore to Nepal for a celebration trek to commemorate Singapore Adventurers' Club (SAC)'s 40th anniversary. The team planned to climb Mera Peak and Island Peak back-to-back in 26 days. In addition, 3 of the team memembers - Susan, Eric, and David, also decided to extend the trek for another 13 days to climb Chhukung Ri, Kala Pattar, and Gokyo Ri. We called the complete route with extension "The Khumbu Circuit" - started off from Lukla, we made our way to Mera Peak, crossed over Amphu Laptsa La to Island Peak, crossed over Kongma La to Gorak Shep, crossed Cho La to Gokyo, and finally crossed Renjo Pass to Thame and Namche Bazaar before completing the circuit at Lukla.

Itinerary

Day	Date	Destinations/Remarks
Kathmandu
1	18.10.2003	ETD 0820hrs SIN, ETA 1235hrs Kathmandu (1317m)
2	19.10.2003	Kathmandu : collect permit, rent equipment, etc
Mera Peak
3	20.10.2003	Kathmandu-Lukla (2850m)
4	21.10.2003	Lukla-Chhutanga
5	22.10.2003	Chhutanga-Chhyatarbu La (Zatwa La) (4580m)-Thuli Kharka (4300m)
6	23.10.2003	Thuli Kharka-Kothe
7	24.10.2003	Kothe-Thangnak (4350m)
8	25.10.2003	Thangnak : acclimatization and alpine practice
9	26.10.2003	Thangnak-Dig Kharka-Khare (5025m)
10	27.10.2003	Khare-Mera La (5415m)-Mera Base Camp
11	28.10.2003	Mera BC-Mera High Camp (5800m)
12	29.10.2003	Mera High Camp : acclimatisation & alpine practice
13	30.10.2003	Mera HC-Mera Central Summit (6461m)-Kongme Dingma
Hongku Valley
14	31.10.2003	Kongme Dingma (rest day)
15	01.11.2003	Kongme Dingma-Rato Odar
16	02.11.2003	Rato Odar-Panch Pokhari (5400m)
17	03.11.2003	Panch Pokhari-Amphu Laptsa La (5845m)-Amphu Camp
Island Peak
18	04.11.2003	Amphu Camp (rest day)
19	05.11.2003	Amphu Camp-Island Peak Base Camp (5150m)
20	06.11.2003	Island BC-Island High Camp (5640m)
21	07.11.2003	Island High Camp (high wind)
22	08.11.2003	Island High Camp-Island Peak Summit (6189m)-Island BC
Chhukung Ri & Kala Pattar
23	09.11.2003	Island BC-Chhukung (4730m)
24	10.11.2003	Chhukung-Chhukung Ri (5554m)-Chhukung
25	11.11.2003	Chhukung-Camp below Kongma La, near lakes
26	12.11.2003	Camp-Kongma La (5535m)-Lobuche (4940m)
27	13.11.2003	Lobuche-Kala Pattar (5554m)-Gorak Shep (5170m)
Gokyo
28	14.11.2003	Gorak Shep-Lobuche-Dzonglha (4850m)
29	15.11.2003	Dzonglha-Cho La (5420m)-Dragnak (4700m)
30	16.11.2003	Dragnak-Gokyo (4790m)
31	17.11.2003	Gokyo-Gokyo Ri (5340m)-Gokyo
32	18.11.2003	Gokyo-Donag Tsho-Ngozumpa Tsho-Gyazumpa Tsho-Gokyo
Return to Lukla
33	19.11.2003	Gokyo-Renjo Pass (5340m)-Lungden (4400m)
34	20.11.2003	Lungden-Thame (3820m)
35	21.11.2003	Thame-Namche Bazaar (3450m)
36	22.11.2003	Namche Bazaar (Sat market)
37	23.11.2003	Namche Bazaar-Phakding (2623m)
38	24.11.2003	Phakding-Lukla (2850m)
39	25.11.2003	Lukla-Kathmandu (1317m)
40	26.11.2003	Kathmandu
41	27.11.2003	Kathmandu
42	28.11.2003	ETD 1340hrs Kathmandu ETA 2225hrs SIN

Notes:

1. Team separated on day 25, with 3 team members proceeded to Kongma La, and the rest returned to Kathmandu.
2. From day 27 onwards (Lobuche) it was a "tea-house trek", ie. the team stayed in tea houses instead of tents.
3. Extended expedition team returned to Kathmandu on day 39 due to unused spare days.

 

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Copyright © David Wong. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior permission from the author. To email me, remove the "_spamaway" from the following address: kalohimal_spamaway@yahoo.com.sg