Please click one of the links below to view that section of our introductory information or just scroll down (photo below by www.lhakpari.nepal-online.de: A good view of the route up Lhakpa Ri).

Lhakpa Ri/North Col Programme Description:

• The North Col on Everest is 7000 metres/23,000 feet high, a spectacular location with incredible views and is directly on the main climbing route for Everest from Tibet. It is located on a high snow ridge above advanced basecamp. We teach you everything you need to know in special training sessions in base camp and the few days of climbing are mainly steep walking. The actual climbing on this fun trekking peak could be best described as steep walking/climbing, with climbers attached to fixed ropes and the dates we have chosen run in conjunction with the exciting spring Everest climbing season. Climbing up to the North Col could qualify you for climbing Everest (photo right by Ryan Waters: Climbers approaching the North Col at 6,800 metres/22,300 feet). back to top
• Lhakpa Ri is a pyramidal trekking peak at roughly the same height as the North Col, located across from Everest on the East Rongbuk Glacier. We teach you everything you need to know in special training sessions in basecamp and the few days of climbing are mainly steep walking. The actual climbing on this fun trekking peak could be best described as steep walking/climbing, with climbers roped together and the dates we have chosen run in conjunction with the exciting spring Everest climbing season. Climbing Lhakpa Ri could qualify you for climbing Everest (photo right by Ian Swarbrick from www.imagesfromthewild.ch: Climbers approaching the North Col with Lhakpa Ri behind in the distance. It's a 2 kilometre/1 mile walk across the flat glacier (East Fork of the Rongbuk Glacier) with a few tiny crevasses to the base of Lhakpa-Ri).
• Climbing the North Col or Lhakpa Ri is an exciting challenge all on its own and could also qualify you for: Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Everest from Tibet or Everest from Nepal.
• If you feel well enough on the April trip, you could join our Cho Oyu or Everest expedition "on the spot".
• Our proposed schedule allows for acclimatization, training, practice and rest. Our expedition is cautious and careful, with excellent leadership, organization, Sherpa climbers, cooks and waiters, tasty food, the best equipment, two full kitchens in basecamp plus advanced basecamp, 1000s of metres of fixed rope, rock ice and snow anchors, top-quality high altitude tents and high altitude stoves, expedition mix gas, and full safety equipment: medical oxygen, gamow bag, and extensive medical kit. You do not have to carry a heavy rucksack for any portion of the trip.
• This expedition to the North Col/Lhakpa Ri maximizes many prior expeditions, years of accumulated wisdom of the high Himalaya, a strong record of reaching the top of 7000 metre/23,000 foot & 6000 metre/20,000 foot peaks: Mustagata , Aconcagua, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, North Col, Lhakpa Ri, and many other summits. In addition to our growing number of successful worldwide expeditions, we have an intimate knowledge of the Tibetan and Chinese officials who regulate the permit system. We have been running expeditions to Tibet since 1986, and we know all of the liaison officers, sherpas, cooks, yak drivers, and hoteliers/restaurateurs personally. back to top

• Leader and staff: During the drive, trek, in Chinese Base, ABC and on the climb, our experienced staff is with you all of the way. Our helpful climbing sherpas are some of the best. They are real high-altitude star-performers and very friendly. Our western leader is a highly experienced, friendly, and well-organized professional with multiple ascents of North Col/Lhakpa Ri. Our skillful cooks prepare delicious, fresh, tasty food and hot drinks at least 3 times a day (photo right by Fredrik Strang: Trekking between basecamp and interim camp, which is located at 5,800 metres/19,000 feet, and halfway to ABC).
• On trek: Our western leader, together with friendly and helpful sherpas, cooks and local people leading yak caravans carry all of your personal equipment, group equipment, and set up camp each day, prepare and serve delicious meals, so you can relax and enjoy the trek. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the trek.
• Our comfortable basecamp and ABC: Features your own private sleeping tent that will be all your own, not needing to be shared with anyone. We have comfortable, heated dining tents with tables and chairs where our cooks and waiters will serve you delicious meals
• On the mountain: Our western leader and group sherpas will fix the route, set up the high camps and carry the group equipment, such as tents, stoves, etc. If you wish to help out, we welcome you to do so, otherwise just relax and focus on getting well acclimated and achieving your goals. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the climb. back to top

• Everest National Park: The park is situated among rolling, vast green (in May-June) short-grass and boulder strewn valleys leading up to the base of the mountain. The environment is beautiful and stark, inhabited with wild birds and animals. Upon reaching basecamp, you trek towards the mountain, where the vegetation changes to become more alpine and rocky, with the mountain looming upwards and the best views of Mt. Everest possible from this altitude, either in Tibet or Nepal. Plants in the park range from spruce, pine, a wide variety of evergreen trees, as well as coldbelt grasslands. Many precious animals inhabit Tibet, such as antelope, deer, fox, gazelles, yaks, and many species of birds (photo right by Ryan Waters: Our comfortable ABC at 6400 metres/21,000 feet. Located at the foot of Everest, this is perhaps the highest basecamp in the world. This is an exciting place to be, as teams from all over the world are preparing or in motion to climb the highest peak on the planet).

• Drive to basecamp: Our drive from Kathmandu, into Tibet and finally to basecamp is a relaxing and interesting adventure. We stop in medieval looking towns with dirt streets, experience Tibetan culture, while stopping to walk each day or so in the beautiful surrounding hills to acclimate to the rising altitude. It offers a great chance to encounter the vast Tibetan plateau and the surrounding Himalayan Giants. We end at Chinese base camp at 5200 metres/17,000 feet, which is located just near the ancient and active Rongbuk Monastery. Along the way we stay and eat at rustic hotels at the organizer's expense.

• Lhasa option: If you wish to add on a tour of the ancient city of Lhasa before arriving at basecamp, this is easily arranged so please let us know. Most people will prefer to fly to Kathmandu first to take advantage of the excellent equipment shopping there, then fly to Lhasa. The price includes a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa over the Mount Everest massif. Some people prefer to fly to Lhasa from another city in China and we can also assist you with these arrangements.  back to top

• Trek to advanced basecamp: A beautiful trek to the base of the highest peak in the world. This trek is very accomplishable by the average person who enjoys walking. Normally, you never step on snow and there is no climbing, only walking on moraine trails. From basecamp we trek up the amazing Rongbuk glacier, also known as the "Golden Highway", where there are gorgeous views of stunning peaks in the area, including Lakpa-Ri and all of its "Little Sisters", as well as Changtse and of course Everest. At 6,400 meters/21,000 feet, Advanced Basecamp (ABC) must be the highest basecamp in the world.

• Walking/Climbing Lhakpa Ri or North Col:
• North Col: After ABC, clip in to the fixed ropes for a sloping glacier walk up to the North Col (camp 1) at 7000 metres/24,900 feet. The North Col on Everest is gained by trekking moderate snow with an ascending device (jumar), descender, ice axe and crampons. The slopes are 20 to 48 degrees with one small 5 metre/16 foot-high ice-step, all safely ascended and descended on fixed ropes. North Col is a pass between the Everest North East Ridge and beautiful Mount Changtse. There are incredible views here, looking towards Pumori in Nepal, as well as Lhakpa Ri (Photo right by Tunc Findik: Slightly above ABC, one of our Everest climbing expedition members is heading up to ascend the North Col, where camp 1 is located at 7000 metres/23,000 feet).
• Lhakpa Ri: From ABC we head across the glacier to the pyramidal mountain on the flanks of the East Rongbuk Glacier. The walk follows a shallow, snow-filled depression on the southwest flank, ascending low-angled snow for the first half of the rise. It then steepens to angles of 30 to 35 degrees. After gaining the crest of the ridge close to the Lhakpa La, the route turns south and follows the snow ridge to the summit. Upon reaching the summit, we are afforded some of the best views of Everest and the surrounding Himalaya from either the Nepal or Tibet side.

• Rest Days: We will be taking a lot of them throughout the expedition. During our rest days we will relax and enjoy a bit of walking and exploring in the surrounding countryside and local hills to get great views of Everest and the other Himalaya Giants. We encourage you to concentrate on recovering, eating and drinking, to read, relax, listen to music and stroll around visiting other teams. back to top

• Who is this trip for?
• We encourage men and women from around the world, of all ages to join us as an individual team member or with your own group , whether that is your spouse, partner, friends, sibling, clients, colleagues, etc. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy trekking, climbing, and traveling together (photo right by Tunc Findik: One of our team members taking a short hike above Chinese basecamp. On our rest days along the trek, we will have plenty of time to trek and explore the surrounding Tibetan plateau and get spectacular views of the Himalaya all around us. The pace allows you to do as little or as much hiking as you feel comfortable with, as you slowly acclimate to the rising altitude before setting out to ABC).
• During the Lhakpa-Ri/North Col expedition, we teach you all of the skills needed to ascend safely in special training sessions in basecamp and advanced basecamp. Our training covers glacier travel, ascending and descending ropes safely, etcetera. If you do not already know about mountaineering you are welcome to join us and see how you feel at 7000 metres/23,000 feet.
  
• If you decide you like it, we welcome you to join one of our 8000 metre climbs the next season, or if you are determined, a few weeks after climbing Lhakpa-Ri or the North Col, you could try going for the summit of Everest, or Cho Oyu the 6th highest mountain in the world.
• To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice. back to top

Lines are fixed here for safety. Our tents at the North Col at 7000 metres/23,000 feet, also known as camp 1. Climbers Walking up to the 7500 metre/24,600 feet, camp, also known as camp 2. If you feel well enough, the conditions are right, and there is time, you could try walking up to camp 2. You can see the tents in the North Col in the background (Ryan Waters).