• Price:
  • Duration: 24 Days

Colorado Mountain School’s Lobuche East Expedition brings you to the heart of the Khumbu region of the Himalayas.

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Overview:

Ready to take your climbing to the next level on an expedition of a lifetime?  The Himalayas. Since time immemorial, these colossal peaks with their vast web of rugged, isolated valleys and distinct ethnic groups have been the aspirations of alpinists and mountaineers the world over.   A Nepal trekking guide will be with you to make the trip as easy as can be.

The Colorado Mountain School Lobuche East Expedition brings you to the heart of the Khumbu region of Nepal, surrounded by storied Himalayan giants such as Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, and Lhotse.  This 24-day adventure gives the option of technical climbing at high altitude, along with one of the most spectacular high-altitude approach treks in the world.  Climbing in the Himalayas is a technically challenging and rewarding experience that can take your mountaineering skills to the next level; they are also a unique opportunity to gain insight into Buddhist and Hindu cultures that are home in one of the most ruggedly beautiful and dramatic mountain ranges in the world.

Details:

What makes this trip unique? There are a handful of top-quality Himalayan expedition companies and a plethora of lower quality outfitters to choose from. The weather, your ability to acclimate and function at altitude, the itinerary of your trip, and the attentiveness of your guides are the four main factors in your chances for success. CMS is not a cookie-cutter, mass production company. We don’t send multitudes of people up the same mountain over and over again.  Colorado Mountain School offers a unique opportunity to climb in the Himalaya with our guide Japhy Dhungana. Raised in his native country of Nepal, Japhy has extensive experience guiding and climbing across the Himalayas, and in addition to his skills as a rock and alpine guide, you can rely on him to translate the invaluable local cultural knowledge and languages for you with ease.  All of our guides are highly skilled and bring a wealth of experience; they are fun, intelligent, worldly, educated, certified, and they provide an unsurpassed level of attention to their clients.

Learn more about Japhy:

“The Khumbu region in Nepal is easily my favorite area to climb in.  Spectacular Himalayan landscapes, the unforgettable local culture, and the beautiful teamwork of an extended expedition – there are really not enough superlatives to describe this journey.  This expedition is a great climb for folks training for the higher peaks like Everest or Ama Dablam, or as a first major peak to climb in the Himalayas.”  -CMS Guide Japhy Dhungana

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1-3: Depart the U.S. and arrive in Kathmandu. Tour Kathmandu.
Day 4: Trek briefing and preparation day.
Day 5: Fly to Lukla (9,468’), trek to Phakding (8661’)
Day 6: Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,286’)
Day 7: Rest day in Namche Bazaar and local excursion
Day 8: Trek Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,696’)
Day 9: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (14,468’)
Day 10: Rest day in Dingboche
Day 11: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (16,108’)
Day 12: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (16,929’)
Day 13: Acclimatization hike of Pokalde (19,049’) and down to Lobuche Base Camp (16,108’)
Day 14: Trek to Lobuche East Base Camp (16,240’), alpine skills review
Day 15: Trek from Base Camp to High Camp (17,716)
Day 16: Summit Lobuche East (20,075’) and back to Base Camp (16,240’)
Day 17: Summit contingency day
Day 18: Trek Base Camp to Pheriche (13,920’)
Day 19: Trek Pheriche to Tengboche (12,696’)
Day 20: Trek Tengboche to Monjo (9,219’)
Day 21: Trek Monjo to Lukla (9,468’)
Day 22: Early morning flight back to Kathmandu
Day 23-24: Return to the U.S.

Notes:

Payment Schedule:
· $1,050 deposit due with an accepted application
· Balance due 120 days before Day 1 of trip

Expedition Cancellation Policy:
· A non-refundable $100 application fee will not be refunded from your initial deposit.
· 100% (minus application fee) will be refunded 120 days prior to trip start.
· 50% (minus application fee) will be refunded 91 to 119 days before trip start.
· 25% (minus application fee) will be refunded 46 to 90 days before trip start.
· 0% will be refunded 0 to 45 days before trip start.

All Upcoming Dates and Locations:

  • No dates found

The Lobuche Expedition begins in Kathmandu, an ancient crossroads and a gateway to another world.  We spend the first two days settling into the country, visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples, and assembling gear and permits for the upcoming adventure.  We then take a mountain flight to Lukla, right in the heart of the Khumbu region.  From Lukla, we trek along ancient trails that weave between Sherpa villages and monasteries.  The 8-day trek to Base Camp allows us to acclimate to the progressively higher elevations and gain a unique insight into the culture and lifestyle of the Khumbu region.  

As a warm-up hike before climbing Lobuche East, the whole group ascends Pokalde (19,049’), surrounded by stunning peaks at an altitude just over a thousand feet shy of Denali (20,310’), the highest peak in North America.  

We establish base camp for Lobuche East at a beautiful alpine meadow at 16,240’.  The nearby glaciers provide an opportunity to review alpine skills and tighten up our technical systems on our roped-teams.  A stunning hike to High Camp (17,716’) prepares us for a one-day push to the summit the following day.  The climb itself involves glacier travel and steep alpine ice up to 60°.  On summit day, the steeper parts of the climb are normally secured with fixed lines.  Following our ascent, we retrace our way through the monasteries and villages of the Khumbu back to the airstrip in Lukla to return to Kathmandu for a well-deserved celebration.  

While trekking in the Khumbu, all of our gear will be carried by porters and yaks.  Participants trek and climb with daypacks containing their daily essentials (jacket, water, sunscreen, etc.).  On the approach, we stay in local tea-houses and in comfortable four-season tents.  All meals are prepared by our expedition cook and kitchen staff, combining the amazing local cuisine with American and European favorites.  Hygiene and food safety is given a premium by the highly trained staff, who have worked innumerable successful expeditions in the Himalayas.  We spend our time in Kathmandu hosted in modern hotels with hot water, toilets, and a gracious staff.

Prerequisites:

Climbers joining this expedition should have taken a 5-day Mountaineering Course with CMS or an approved comparable course with another guide-service, or have ample personal experience camping, using crampons, ice axe, and climbing glaciated peaks. Prior experience above 15,000’ on such trips as the Mexico Volcanoes, Ecuador Volcanoes, Mont Blanc, or similar types of expeditions is highly recommended.

Preparation:

Participants will have a better experience and be able to participate in all the planned activities having trained cardio-vascular strength through uphill hiking, running, cycling, or mountain biking, as well as a daily regimen of core-strengthening exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, squats, yoga, cross-fit, etc.

Duration:

24 Days

Maximum Ratio:

3:1

Minimum Age:

Please call to register participants under 18

Item Description Quantity Example Purchase At Rent At Equipment Type
Approach Shoes

These are “hiking” shoes specifically made for approaching and descending from a climbing venue where scrambling is necessary, or even for climbing an entire route. They have sticky climbing rubber on the bottom and a formed fit to influence better climbing abilities while scrambling. Consider high-tops for additional ankles support if needed. Regular hiking boots or athletic shoes may be acceptable for many climbs.

1

Men: La Sportiva TX3 Men
Women: La Sportiva TX3 Wmn

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Baselayer Bottoms

Synthetic or Merino Wool, Lightweight or mid-weight are recommended.

1

Men: Rab Syncrino Leggings
Women: Rab Syncrino Leggings

Rab

Clothing
Beanie or Fleece Hat

Should cover the ears and fit under a helmet. Hats with fluff balls on top do not fit under helmets.

1

Filament Beanie

Rab

Clothing
Belay and Rappel Device

Plaquette style devices with auto-block mode are ideal.

1

CAMP Piu 2

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Climbing Harness

UIAA or CE approved; With belay loop and gear loops. The waist belt should fit over multiple layers of clothing.

1

CAMP Laser CR

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Equipment
Compass

Used for navigation and orientation. A compass with adjustable declination is preferrable.

1

Silva Ranger CLQ

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Face Mask – PPE

Optional; Look for a mask with a bendable border at the top so you can mold the mask to fit the bridge of your nose and prevent your glasses from fogging.

1 Clothing
Food

Proper lunches that are prepared ahead of time are recommended (sandwich, burrito, leftover pizza, etc), along with an assortment of snack bars, gels, or trail mixes. Feeze-dried meals are acceptable on overnight trips, but not day trips.

1

Made in Nature, Thrive Tribe

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Gaiters

These are instrumental when wearing crampons. They protect your softshell pants from getting ripped and keep snow out of your boots.

1

RAB Muztag GORE-TEX® Pro Gaiter

Rab

Clothing
Headlamp

Load with fresh batteries. Critical for hiking before sunrise and great to have in the pack in case you are caught out after dark.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Heavyweight Waterproof Glove

This glove comes out when the winter going gets cold and wet or at higher altitudes.

1

Men: Pivot GTX Glove
Women: Pivot GTX Glove

Rab Store

Clothing
Hot Drinks

Coffee, tea, hot cocoa are great for warming up when it’s cold outside.

1

Cusa Tea; Alpine Start Coffee

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Lightweight Baselayer Top

Synthetic or Merino Wool; Worn against the skin and is considered a “wicking” layer that facilitates the movement of moisture away from the skin and through the layers. Hooded base layers add extra versatility.

2

Men: Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee
Women: Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee

Rab

Clothing
Lightweight Gloves

Synthetic; Thin gloves used when hiking the early morning approach. Belay gloves can suffice if full-fingered.

1

Rab Vapour-Rise Glove

Rab Store

Clothing
Lip ScreenSPF 15 or higher.

Non-SPF rated lip balms can actually increase your chances of getting burned.

1

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Lip Balm

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Midweight Baselayer Top

Synthetic or Merino Wool; Adds extra warmth and protection from the cold and wind without creating a moisture barrier as a jacket would. Having at least one base layer that is hooded adds versatility, protecting the neck and ears from cold winds.

1

Men: Rab Ascendor Light Hoodie
Women: Rab Ascendor Light Hoodie

Rab

Clothing
Midweight Softshell Glove

This is the workhorse glove and is most often worn on warmer days when mountaineering. Softshell gloves are water-resistant and durable. They often have leather palms and fingers.

1

Rab Khroma Tour Glove

Rab

Clothing
Mountaineering Boots

Waterproof, insulated, leather or synthetic boots. Two levels of boots can be appropriate depending on the season, conditions, and personal needs. These boots have rigid and semi-rigid soles so they climb rock well and are compatible with crampons. 1. Lightweight (May – October): This is a single-layer, semi-insulated, waterproof boot, such as the La Sportiva Trango Cube. 2. Mid-weight (October – June): This is a single-layer, insulated boot, such as the La Sportiva Nepal.

1

Men: La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX 0r G5
Women: La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX Women’s or G5

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Mountaineering Crampons

Steel crampons with horizontal front points are ideal. Must be semi-rigid and compatible with your boots.

1

CAMP Alpinist Universal

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Neck Gaiter

“Buffs” are quite versatile in their uses. They can be used as light beanies, neck warmers, and can offer face protection from the cold wind or sun.

1

CMS Neck Gaiter

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Pajamas

It can be nice to have something clean to change into each night for sleeping in your sleeping bag.

1 Clothing
Personal Toilet Kit

At minimum, bring a small Ziploc with toilet paper. Consider bringing a travel sized package of hand-wipes. Idealy, purchase, or for free from the RMNP Backcountry office, bring a “Rest Stop.” The Rest Stop, known as “Blue Bags” in the Pacific Northwest, or the “Wag Bag” in other areas, are poop-in-a-bag systems that include toilet paper and a sanitizing hand wipe.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Rock Climbing Helmet

UIAA/CE approved; Should be large enough to fit over a beanie. Plastic helmets are more durable, but heavier. Foam helmets are lighter, but more easily damaged when carried in a pack.

1

CAMP Titan

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Equipment
Sleeping Bag (0° to -30°)

Down or synthetic sleeping bag is acceptible.

1

Rab Ascent 900 Down Sleeping Bag

Rab Store

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Sleeping pad

Insulated air mattresses or foam are ideal. Uninsulated air mattresses are not recommended.

1

Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Smartphone

Great for taking photos and videos. Smartphone batteries tend to shut down in freezing temps – keep your phone in a warm inner layer. A tether is ideal in the mountains to protet against dropping your phone.

1 Optional
Softshell and Fleece Jacket

Water-resistant, windproof, yet it “breaths,” which means it allows moisture to move through. Hoods are ideal. There are multiple thicknesses of Softshell jackets. A lightweight or medium-weight jacket is preferred. Fleece jackets are acceptable.

1

Men: Rab VR Summit Jacket
Women: Rab VR Summit Jacket

Rab

Clothing
Softshell Pants

Softshell material is stretchy, wind-proof, water-resistant, and resists abrasion. Mid-weight is recommended and light-weight pants can work for warm days. Typical thin, nylon “hiking pants” are generally not tough enough.

1

Men: Rab Sawtooth Pants
Women: Rab Women’s Sawtooth Pants

Rab Store

Clothing
Sports Bra

Provides support and allows for full range of motion

1

North Face Beyond the Wall

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Sun Hat

A billed hat to keep the bright mountain sun at bay.

1

Rab Trucker Logo Cap

Rab

Clothing
Sunglasses

“Wrap-Around” style sunglasses with 100% UV Protection.

1

ZEAL RAD CLIFF SUNGLASSES

Zeal Optics 

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
SunscreenSPF 30 or higher.

Travel size.

1

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 50

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Synthetic or Down Puffy Jacket

Fits over all other layers and is worn at breaks and on really cold days. Synthetic puffies are more durable, are easily laundered, and dry out quickly if wet. Down puffies are lighter weight, pack smaller, and provide exceptional warmth, but once wet, they stay wet.

1

Men: Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket
Women: Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket

Rab

Clothing
Synthetic or Merino Wool Socks

Wool and synthetic blends are great for long days on the trail. “Ski” and “Snowboard” socks are especially useful when warmth is desired.

2

Point 6 AT Hike Light Crew

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Thermos

Many ice climbers prefer to bring a thermos of hot water or soup instead of one of their water bottles.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Toe Warmers and Hand Heaters

Help keep you warm on particularly cold days.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Toiletries

Bring enough for the trip. Toothpaste; brush, floss, deodorant, lotion, eye drops, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.

1 Optional
Trash Bag

Lining the inside of your pack with a heavy duty trash bag will keep the contents of your pack dry on rainy days.

1 Optional
Trekking Poles

Adjustable and without powder basket.

1-2

CAMP Backcountry

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Optional
Watch with Altimiter

An altimeter is very useful in gauging progression of altitude gain or loss when climbing, and especially when visibility is decreased due to weather. Many Altimeter watches have compasses or GPS tracking functions.

1

Suunto Vector; Suunto Core

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Water Bottles

1 liter bottles are the standard. Bladders such as Camelbacks and Platypus are acceptable for above freezing temps, but only in conjunction with another bottle. Bladders are not acceptable during sub freezing temps. Sports drinks are also acceptable.

2

Nalgene, Hydro Flask

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Water Purification Tablets

Iodine or Chlorine-based treatments; To keep packs light in the summer during early morning approaches, your guide may suggest only carrying a liter or two of water, with the plan to refill during the day at a stream.

6 tabs/day

Aquamira, Potable Aqua

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Waterproof Shell Jacket

Non-insulated, Gore-Tex, Dermizax, Event, or other waterproofing system is required. Mostly, this jacket sits in the bottom of your pack and comes out when the weather gets nasty with precipitation. This jacket should fit over all other layers.

1

Men: Rab Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket
Women: Rab Women’s Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket

Rab

Clothing

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