Nangkartshang Peak in Nepal rises to an impressive height of 16,677 feet. It’s a popular destination for acclimatization hikes in the Khumbu region, but during my exploration, I felt it deserved special attention rather than being overshadowed by the itinerary of the Everest Base Camp trek. It stands tall as a peak of a higher ridge than it is an independent mountain.
The climb to Nangkartshang Peak begins at Dingboche, a quaint village situated at an altitude similar to that of Mount Whitney’s summit. This scenic village is accessible only by trails, and we had the opportunity to interact with the friendly locals, a spectacular destination through a very difficult hike.
We reached Dingboche on the sixth day of our EBC trek. The next morning, we planned to summit this astounding peak while enjoying the picturesque surrounding mountain ranges and ridges.
The Southwest Ridge Route is the only commonly used route to climb the peak with a well defined trail. Elevation gain above Dingboche is about 2300 feet, and the climb can be done in few hours from Dingboche.
The trek was leisurely, as there was no time constraint to start or rush for a turnaround. The intention was to absorb the natural beauty and acclimatize for the next day. What a wonderful way to start the morning!
Along the path, the Stupas marked the trail. They visually represent the Buddhist cosmos, the journey to enlightenment, and the mind of the Buddha, providing spiritual solace and inspiration.
The scenic views of the mountains surrounding us were breathtaking. In the distance, we saw clouds rolling towards us, and nature seemed to be in perfect harmony. We were eager to summit the mountain before a whiteout occurred, as we wanted to see the valley from that vantage point. The trail was well-maintained, and the panoramic views became more stunning as the sun shone brighter.
The river, with its milky white water, flowed far down in the Pheriche valley, appearing immense. I couldn’t help but wonder how vast it must look up close. The sense of cleansing it provided brought me back to the present moment. Isn’t it a form of spiritual solace in itself?
It is a well-marked trail with cairns, making navigation easy and allowing for a more relaxing experience focused on the surrounding nature rather than on finding the route.
We spotted helicopters continuously landing, and every hiker would pause, like children, to point them out. There was a thrilling sense of camaraderie among those who appreciated the beauty of nature. As we reached 16,000 feet, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy; it was my first time at such a high elevation. In the distance, we could see the stunning, deep blue lake.
I took few breaks to snack on fruit gummies while enjoying the refreshing, cool air. Our guide led us and shared stories about other mountains and passes he had traversed.while I also looked at tiny little plants and wild flowers growing at such an elevation, and making the trail more scenic.
Suddenly, I heard someone singing an old and popular Bollywood song, “Tu hi meri shab hai…” from the movie *Gangster*. I turned around and saw a Sherpa singing. It brought us happiness to hear a Hindi song on a mountain in a foreign land. I joined to sing along and duet lasted a couple of minutes, and it reminded me of the time I spent in India, growing up watching movies.
Once we reached the summit, I felt a great sense of accomplishment! The summit was adorned with prayer flags and surrounded by ridges. We took pictures to capture how far we had come. The giants Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Taboche were all visible and demanded awe from us the mortal beings!
Our guide then took a break to enjoy some alone time and have a smoke, which pleasantly surprised us. Here we were, struggling for breath, while his VO2 max seemed to be remarkable! Later we came to know it’s quite common and has inspired memes and paintings! Meanwhile we explored the summit for various vantage points and much needed photo shoots!
Every spot on the summit acts like a photo booth, providing breathtaking backdrops. The summit features a 360-degree view of majestic, snow-covered mountains, with stunning blue glacial lakes nestled at their bases. After spending some time in reflection, we began our descent. I didn’t expect the descent to be as scenic yet different from the ascent!
Meanwhile, distant clouds had rolled in, and we were hiking through the clouds! As the clouds shifted, a window would open up, revealing the mighty mountains and giving us a sneak peek at their beauty. Everyone on the trail would exclaim “wow!” in unison, mesmerized by the mischievous acts of nature! The dreamy walk has been etched in my mind forever!
I realized that there were quite steep sections and gravel on the trail that required more focus. Lost in my thoughts and concentrating on my steps, I noticed a few passersby exclaimed with pleasant surprise that I wasn’t using trekking poles on this terrain. I felt glad that I had made the choice not to use them and was able to rely on my natural balance and strength during this day hike as an experienced hiker!
As the three of us approached the tea house from a distance, the thought of hot tea and a warm meal excited me just as much as the anticipation of sharing our adventure with our two friends, who were waiting eagerly for our stories to unfold!