Area:
Upper Rolwaling Valley in the Rolwaling Himal.
Situated
south of Na in the upper Rolwaling area, Ramdung, also
called Ramdung Go, is one of acluster of peaks around
the Yalung La (5,310m/17,421ft), a pass giving access
to the upper Rolwaling from the south, via the Khare
Khola.
The
peaks in the area were first explored by Scottish Himalayan
expedition, led by Bill Murray in 1952, when three of
the peaks near the pass, Yalung Ri (5,630m/18,471ft),
Chhugyima Go (6,259m/20,534ft), and Ramdung were climbed.
In 1955 the peak had its second ascent by members of
the Merseyside expedition. Since then Ramdung has been
climbed numerous times is an ideal summit for groups
wanting to trek and climb in the still little visited
Rolwaling Himal area.
Although
the mountain, by it normal route of ascent, is straightforward,
its virtues lie in its magnificent position and splendid
summit panorama that ranges from Langtang to Everest
and provides a splendid view of Gauri Shankar and Menlungtse.
The
Climb: Northeast Face from the Yalung La:
Despite the fact that the peak is not very high the
approach from Na covers a good distance and most parties
require two high camps for the ascent. Camp 1 is set
up around 4,900 meters (16,000ft) below the Yalung La.
Climbing towards the pass and the snow Camp 2 is placed
on the broad glacier slopes east of the pass. Ascend
the slopes of the Ramdung Glacier south-west of the
subsidiary peak onto a saddle at the junction with the
Yalung Glacier (5,650m/18,537ft). From here it takes
is about a 4 hour climb to the top depending on snow
conditions.
The
Rolwaling Trek:
The trek through Rolwaling has everything that trekking
in the Himalayas has to offer. The trek starts from
Lamusangu or Charikot and initially goes through the
lower valleys flanked by terraced fields, farm houses
and forested slopes. The Higher valleys of Rolwaling
are inhabited by the Sherpa people who cultivate maize,
barley, potatoes and graze their yaks herds in the higher
valleys below the snow capped peaks. Above the villages
of Beding and Na the route comes to the glaciated valleys
where lines glacial lakes like Tso Rolpa. After the
ascent of Ramdung trekkers can cross the Tesi Lapcha
pass (5,755m/18,875ft) to Namche Bazaar on the Everest
Base Camp route. From Namche one can take a side trip
to Everest Base Camp or trek directly to Lukla and catch
a plane for Kathmandu.
SUGGESTED
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Drive Kathamndu to Charikot.
Days 2-10: Trek to upper Rolwaling Valley.
Day 11-12: Tsho Rolpa and Base Camp.
Day 13-16: Climb Ramdung Go peak.
Day 17-20: Cross Tesi Lapcha pass.
Days 21-22: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Days 23-25: Trek to Lukla. Fly to Kathmandu.
OR
Days 23-26: Trek to Everest Base Camp.
Days 27-30: Return trek to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu.
Contact
us for further information: [email protected]
|