Climbing Lobuche East Peak - Overview and Facts
Lobuche East Peak is an excellent climbing peak, on par with the famous Island peak. The climb will be moderately challenging but does not require any technical climbing skills, or previous mountaineering experience. This climb promises an adventure of a lifetime.
The first recorded ascend of the peak was made on April 25, 1984 by Laurence Nielson and Sherpa Ang Gyalzen. Lobuche peak is situated relatively close to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathhar which are not only great points of interest but also great for acclimatization before proceeding to climb Lobuche peak.
While you be climbing Lobuche East Peak, Lobuche has in fact two different peaks, Lobuche East Peak at an altitude of 6,119 m and West Peak at an altitude of 6,145 m.
The best time to climb Lobuche East peak is during Mid- March to May and October to Mid- December.
The adventure starts from Lukla, the Gateway to the infamous Everest region continues through the Sagarmatha National Park until you arrive at the famous Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the “capital” of the Everest region. At this ancient trading post between Nepal and Tibet, climbers can rest in loges, while enjoying good coffee and pastries from the local bakeries, and not to forget, great scenery. All this while the body is slowly acclimatizing getting used to the thinner air at 3,440 m.
The trail then continues to Tyangboche and then Pangboche, both of which are known for their great Buddhist monasteries.
Before traveling to the Base Camp of Lobuche, trekkers will trek uo to Gorak Shep (5,125m) from where you will visit the famous Everest Base Camp, the place from which mountaineers start their journey towards the world’s highest mountain. The following day you will be visiting Kala Patthar Peak (5,540 m). Kala Patthar, which literally translates as “black rock” is a great view point for Mt. Everest and the Khumbu Icefall. Furthermore, it serves as a place to get further acclimatized before attempting Lobuche peak.
Having adapted to higher altitudes, trekkers will descend and rest in guest houses at Lobuche Base Camp situated near a lake in a rocky hallow at 4,950m. After spending a night at the base of the South-West Face glaciers, climbers will ascend steep stone terraces and snow slopes using climbing gear, fixed ropes and ice axes to reach the High Camp (5,357m). Here trekkers will camp and rest overnight in tents before climbing the summit. Waking up early in the morning, using climbing gear to follow the sharp snow ridge to the summit ridge, the trekkers will then scale the Lobuche Peak. While this require hardmanship every effort is rewarded when finally standing atop Lobuche.
From the summit of Lobuche East Peak, trekkers will marvel at the panoramic view of the Himalayas. The view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumori and other mountains will be unforgettable moment of a lifetime. In fact, this tour and itinerary promises an adventure of a lifetime.
| Lobuche Peak - Climbing Facts | |
|---|---|
| Climb Difficulty | Little Difficult |
| Climb Duration | 16 Days |
| Max Altitude | 6,119 meters |
| Accommodation | Lodges and Camping |
| Climbing Season | Mar-May and Oct-Dec |
| Transport to/from Climb | Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and from Lukla to Kathmandu after the climb |
Lobuche East Peak - Itinerary
While the adventure will take around 14-16 days the respective climbing companies will offer their own customized itinerary, from which you can select the preferred one.
The trip starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the airport Sir Edmund Hillary was part of establishing in 1960. Hereafter you’ll will trekking around six to eight days in the Khumbu region exploring through Namche Bazaar, Tyangboche and Pangboche.
A couple of days will be spent exploring Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp, after which around 3 days will be required to scale and return from the Lobuche Peak, to Lobuche village.
After summitting the peak you will be trekking back to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu.
