Nepal – Himalaya, Tharpu Chuli, 2008
The approach trek led from Pokhara (620 m) to Annapurna Sanctuary through villages Phedi (1 020 m), Pothana (1 850 m), Deurali (2 150 m), Landruk (1 650 m), across the Kyunri Khola river to Jhinu Danda (2 100 m), further to the Chomrong village (2 170 m), across Chhomrong Khola river and along its northern tributary Modi Khola up North through villages Bamboo (2 335 m), Doban (2 550 m), Deurali (3 230 m) to Machapuchhre South base camp (3 720 m) and to Annapurna South and Annapurna I South base camp (4 130 m).
From Annapurna base camp we have crossed the South Annapurna Glacier to Tharpu Chuli base camp at 4 240 m and built a high camp at 4 750 m. We have climbed Tharpu Chuli (5 663 m) over the Noth-West ridge. Only two of us from the total of five members of an international team have summitted Tharpu Chuli. Our Nepali Climbing guide was the 3rd person who summitted.
The approach trek lasted seven days, the climb including one acclimatization day took us only four days. The retourn journey led again along the Modi Khola river back to Chomrong (2 170 m), from there we have chosen a different route through the villages Tadapani (2 720 m), Ghandruk (1 940 m) and Nayapul (1 765 m) back to Pokhara. We have made the return journey in four days.
The whole Tharpu Chuli expedition took less than three weeks, we have walked approximately 100 km, we have slept in lodges up to Annapurna base camp, in tents only after crossing the South Annapurna Glacier. Great part of the approach trek led through rain forrest and jungle, the average temperature in the valleys was 35 oC, the lowest temperature during the Tharpu Chuli climb reached minus 15 oC.
We have spent the last three days relaxing in the Chitwan National Park on an island in the Najara river.
