CHULU EAST

'In the midst of diverse picturesque scenery, from the paddy terraces to the high arctic terrain, constant views of the world's highest mountain range including Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiris. In the world’s deepest Gorge in the backdrop of traditional Buddhist culture, with charming villages in the ancient trans-himalayan trade route.'

Gurkha Encounters offer you the opportunity to both trek round and climb Chulu East, a magnificent trekking peak in the Annapurna range. Accompanied by a trained, qualified and safe Chulu mountain guide both the Chulu Expedition and trek will provide you memories of a life time

Introduction

This is one of the classic and most rewarding adventures in Nepal. The dramatic deep valleys and scenery of mountain landscapes, diverse climate and its rich vegetation makes this trip a memorable and truly awe-inspiring adventure. Trekking northwards from the road head at Beshishar onwards, entering the gorge of the Marsyangdi River, which cuts through the great Himalaya chain of high peaks between the Annapurnas and Manaslu, creating a valley that transcend by the high pass of Thorang-la to the deepest gorge of Kali-Gandaki river Valley which again passes through the high mountain range of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. We beginning this adventure from the low subtropic farmland of Nepal's 'middle hills' into the high alpine region on the north side of the Annapurnas, which is the domain of Tibetan Buddhism culture making this adventure a very picturesque from every aspect of trekking environments.

The Chulus

These peaks form part of Manang Himal, which are quite rightly included in the larger Damodar Himal, the eastern limit of which runs south from Chako and Peak 6,687m in a north-to-south direction along the Hunlung Khola and Phu Khola (stream). To the south it is bounded by the Marsyangdi Khola and Mesoknata La. To the west its limit is the Kali Gandaki and to the north the Parchekya La (5,447m). There exists considerable confusion with regard to the name and location of the Chulu peaks and what summit actually constitutes Chulu West and Chulu East, since it soon becomes apparent to anyone that has climbed in the range that several other summits close by, which are actually part of the Chulu massif. For the sake of clarification, four summits can be included in the Chulu group, two which are possible on the permit for Chulu West and two on the Chulu East permit. What is apparent is that the available trekking map is highly misleading. The highest of these peaks, marked Chulu West (6,630m) on the trekking maps, has a recorded altitude from at least tow expeditions of nearer 6,400m: this might be more accurately be called Chulu Central. The NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) gives this an official altitude of 6,429 meters. South-east of this highest summit is a lower peak that can rightly be termed Chulu East. Most of the trekking maps give this an altitude of 6,200 meters (20,341ft), although the official height is 6,584 meters (21,601ft). However, continuing two miles east along the ridge is another peak, well seen from the airstrip at Ongre (Hongde) and separated from the East Peak by a col which is 5,608 meters (18,000ft). This summit has an attitude nearer 6,059 meters (19,880ft) and should really be termed Chulu Far East and many trekking agencies picture it in their brochures, mistakenly, as Chulu East.

Chulu East (6,200 m.) is situated high above the Manang valley with breathtaking views across to the Annapurnas II, III and IV, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak and Manaslu. The climb is combined with the classic trek around the Annapurna massif, ascending the Marshyangdi valley and crossing the Thorung La, before descending the Kali Gandaki valley to Pokhara. The climb is technically straightforward and, you should be familiar with the use of your equipment, crampons, harness, ice axe, tying knots and handling climbing ropes. Most of the climbing will be involved walking roped together, including the glacial crossings. You should be very fit and have good experience of climbing.