Yala2003

This trip was a combined climb with Naya Kanga and a warm up for a longer trek into the Everest region with a climb of imja Tse. We travelled to Kyanjin via a hired 4 wheel drive for approx $50, well worth it. On arrival we walked for a couple of hours to Lama Hotel in a fantastic sunset evening and spent the night in a small lodge. The next day we walked as far as Ghora Tabela where we again spent the night. On the third and longest day's walking (only 7 hours or so) we arrived at Kyanjin. Day 4 was a rest day before we walked up to set a high camp at Yala Kharka. We rested on day 6 with just a couple of short walks in the deepening snow. Day 7 was summit day which was quite hard going due to the snow conditions. The peak is technically easy, no glaciers/crevasses in the area and the only time we roped up was ascending up a steep snow wall then along a snow ridge to the summit. Conditions on the summit were very cloudy with no views of Shishapangma. We returned in a blizzard and navigation skills were severely tested. After a days rest at Kyanjin the Naya Kanga climb had to be abandoned due to snow conditions. The return trip took three days back to Kathmandu.