Old photos & Diaries

Christmas Khumbu 2002 - Lumding Kharka exploration

We are adaptable - at the beginning of the trek everyone said that they had more time so we proposed exploring up
Lumding Kharka, a place that myself and Joel hadn't yet visited. It is also an area that requires good weather,
and during the entire 2 months before this the weather had been incredibly stable, and was likely to remain that way.
In the event only Michael (and Jamie and Ang Dami plus Ang Gyelu) was up for the exploration, while Joel got sick
at the last minute.

Lumding Karka is over a pass on the opposite side of the valley from Phakding-Lukla.
There are no lodges and the region is used for grazing during the summer months, and also has a holy lake that Sherpas take a pilgrimage to.
It is a classic area and we will be back!

We didn't stay in this lodge - Jamie

Here is a plant covered in ice crystals. It was the middle of winter after all! - Jamie

Our first camp off the beaten track was at an area with an Ani Gompa, ie an area where nuns live.
Here is the woman that Ang Dami and Ang Gyelu stayed with. Myself and Michael camped outside - Jamie

There are two trails that lead to Lumding, one that is used to take the animals up, so is relatively gentle.
We chose to take the more direct route, which we later found out had barely been used in the last five years.
It was WILD, an utter delight for me, one of the best trails I have ever taken in the Himalaya.
Michael was less impressed though. Mostly you could barely even tell if you were on it, or even where it should be.
It was also exposed and a steep climb. IT is not a trail for loaded porters, or for inexperienced groups -
apparently a Hong Kong group lost one of their members for THREE days after they missed the trail! - Jamie

Our second day was long and once over the pass we got lost trying to get down to Lumding and ended up sleeping the night out.
The next morning we reached Lumding, the herding area, and stayed in one of the herder's shelters - Jamie

While Lumding and the trail are a worthy adventure, the real reason to visit should be to explore up above Dudh Kund (Milk Lake)
which is where all the ice in the centre of the valley is coming from. Since Michael wanted to join Joel for his next trip,
we shortened the 5 days exploration planned to just a day of looking around - Jamie

Mmmm - it is a spectacular valley and we will return! - Jamie

When we crossed the pass on the way in we were enveloped in cloud but exiting, the panorama was stunning.
Here is little-seen view of left to right, Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse then Ama Dablam. (Island Peak isn't visible) - Jamie

Below: Naturally we tied prayer flags and katas to the top - Jamie

jdesign -- all rights reserved -- frozen in time July 2013