The Kingdom of Nepal is in one of the famous and fantastic regions of the world, lying between India to the south and China to the north.  The Himalayan mountain range makes up the northern border of Nepal and contains eight of the world's 8000 meter peaks, including Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8598m), and Dhaulagiri (8137m).  With its rugged terrain, hospitable Sherpa culture, and ancient monasteries, Nepal has been attracting adventurers for many decades.

The Khumbu Himal, center of the Sherpa culture, is a spectacular region of the Himalaya.  The Everest base camp trek, combined with a climb of Island Peak (Imja Tse), is deservedly one of the most popular expeditions in this region.  Our expedition takes place in November when trekking weather is cooler, high altitude conditions are most stable, and October crowds have departed.

After an exciting mountain flight into Lukla, we spend our early days wandering through small villages, visiting Tibetan monasteries and markets, and soaking up mountain scenes like no other.  En route to Island Peak we carry only light day packs and lodge at tea houses in Sherpa villages.  We can visit the High Altitude Research Center in Periche and talk with the staff regarding their work in this region.  We also attempt to climb Kala Patter (18,187 ft) to learn and practice expedition climbing skills and acclimate to the altitude.

From our base camp at Pareshaya Gab (15,518 ft) our Island Peak attempt takes us along glacial streams to the snout of the Image Glacier.  We ascend steep grassy slopes and small rocky steppes to our high camp on a ridge next to a hanging glacier at 17,323 feet.  The next day, after an easy scramble up to the snow covered glacier, we wander through seracs and around crevasses before climbing a steep snow and ice ramp leading to the summit ridge.  The ridge itself is a classic of twists and turns until the final tricky snow pitch to the summit at 20,305 feet.  A fixed rope may need to be left in place on this pitch to aid decent.

With the assistance of Peak Expeditions guides, well conditioned and enthusiastic expedition members with modest climbing experience can reach the summit of this Himalayan peak.

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