Jan's Nepal Pictures - Mera Peak 2000
18 rolls of film were taken and nearly all of the pictures are on this web page.
These images were scanned at 1200 or 900 dpi from 200 ASA Fuji Sensia slide film. Fuji says
that this film has "excellent sharpness" but I'd call it fair sharpness at best. There simply
is no substutition for 100 ASA films! Of course friends of mine say that there is no
substitution for 64 or 25 ASA files.
Here are our favorite pictures from this trip.
Info
Mera Peak is one of the highest permitted "trekking" peaks in Nepal. At 6,476m high it is
an amazing elevation gain for a climb that is "non technical". Ie you don't need mountaineering
experience. You have to be self-sufficient in this climb thru the forest, above the tree line
and then into perpetual snow and glaciers. The way is prepared in that there are ropes to help
you over the dangerous snow sections; but you have to be prepared to live in this terrain.
Typical trips to this place cost around $2k US for 20 days. First you fly
into Kathmandu, get over the jet lag, then fly to Lukla and trek to Chutunga. Lukla is a
small Sherpa town. Since the town is at 2,800m you will need to acclimatize to the elevation.
From there you just keep going up.
Chutunga, a campground at 3,100m, is typically reached 5 days into the trip.
Pictures from Jan's Trip
- The city of Kathmandu - First day (66 pictures)
- The city of Kathmandu - Second day (50 pictures)
- Sherpa town of Lukla in the mountains - Day 1 (21 pictures)
- Entering Park, town of Namche Bazzar - Days 2, 3 (48 pictures)
- Climbing in the mountains Days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (34 pictures)
- Climbing in the mountains - Days 8, 9 (70 pictures)
- Climbing in the mountains - Days 10, 11 (53 pictures)
- Amphn La area - Days 12, 13 (59 pictures)
- Mera Base camp - Days 14, 15 (59 pictures)
- Early morning assult of Mera Peak - Day 16 (80 pictures)
- Descending from the mountains - Days 17, 18, 19, 20 (32 pictures)
- Flying out of the mountains (11 pictures)
Trip Comments
Thur 2000.10.5
The city of Kathmandu - Day 1
A bus tour of city - Passnpanath and then Banddahanath Stupa then Burdar Square
in Pattan then to Swayambhunath Stupa
Fri 2000.10.6
The city of Kathmandu - Day 2
nice summer weather
city - drive on left of typically narrow streets full of people, bikes,
motorcycles, rickshaws, three wheeled taxi bikes, the odd car
The city is a mix of poverity , eastern culture and western tourists.
There is lots of garbage, loose dogs and sellers and treking and equpiment
stores.
Pasnpanath in Kathmandu
One of the most important Hindi temples. Believers get cremated and tossed
into the river becaue the river flows into the Ghangi river
Swayambhunath Stupa
Budha relics are kept in this Stupa (Budhist temple). The top has 13 steps
for 13 steps to enlightenment and the top has Budha's Compassionate eyes
looking in all directions. There are flags of 5 colors, one for each form
of Budha.
It overlooks Kathmandu and is called the monkey temple because many
monkeys live around it.
Patan
Kathmandu was 3 cities (Patar, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Patar is the artist center.
Sat 2000.10.7 Pictures #139 .. 171
Sun 2000.10.8 Pictures #172 .. 193
Entered park (1,000 RS) and went to Namche Bazaar (600m gain).
it's a largish village spread over a mountain. Checked into
Thawa Lodge (hole in the ground toilets). The day included a
short 300m climb overlooking the village.
Mon 2000.10.9 Pictures #193 .. ~220
it's a bad day - clouds and reduced visibility so played cards and
toured the town. Lots of Tibetan artifacts for sale.
Pictures of village with the rising sun.
A Russian expedition was attempting a new route on Lhotse massif but
a member was killed at 6400m and they turned back.
The plan called for another night in Namche Bazaar but they continued
to Kyangjuma (150m higher and has
with a bakery). They continued to Khunde where there was a hospital
and on the way down there was light rain, cloud and fog rolling in.
Tuesday 2000.10.10 Aprox pic #229 .. 248
Climbing in the mountains Days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Sick during the night and into the day.
Hiked to Tengboche (200m descent and 400m climb).
A few pictures of a monstary being rebuilt after a fire.
Picture of Thyangboche, L: Everest, R: Nuptse before Ama Dablam
Sleeping in Ama Dablam Lodge - very good portions large kitchen
Wed 2000.10.11 Pictures #250 .. ?
Starting to feel better.
Hiked to 600m to Pheriche (4200m) and starting to feel effect of altitude.
Lodges along the way - houses converted to hostels, rare places have
electricity and running water. Most have outhoses with hole-in-the-floor
toilets. More and more homes are built of stone and not wood. Prices
increase with elevation. Lodges offer hot showers for a reasonable price
(have not tried one yet).
Thursday 2000.10.12
Friday 2000.10.13
Two days rest at Pheriche. Some people went to Ama Dablan while sick
people recovered.
Heading to Lobnche that is a gradual 700m climb to 4900m. Really felt
the elevation sickness with the climb (headache). One person had
HACE (High Altitude Cerebral edema) and was administered medicine and
airlifted out with a helicopter.
Saturday 2000.10.14 Aprox Pictures #271
Climbing in the mountains - Days 8, 9
We woke up early and climbed to the highest lodge, Gorak Shep at 5288m.
On the hike we watched the sun rise. It was cold enough to freeze water
in the wash container but it warmed with the rising sun. Breakfast was
at Gorak Shep and then continued hiking to Kala Patar (5545m). There
was a great view of Mt. Everest, Khumbn glacier, Everest base camp,
Pnmori and Nuptse. it's been a hard day feeling tired with a splitting
headache.
Sunday 2000.10.15
Light, fresh snow on the ground this morning. Headache still bad. It's
dorm style sleeping with a morning wakeup call.
The group hiked to the Everest base camp. This involved a long trip
along and ontop of Khumbn glacier moraine. The last 1/3 was quite tough
and you could hear the moraine shift.
Mon 2000.10.16 Aprox Pictures #360 .. 388
Climbing in the mountains - Days 10, 11
Hiked from Lobnche to Chukng over Kangma La Pass (5535m) by crossing
the moraine of the Khn?bn glacier and up 500m of loose rock. It was
quite exhausting but gave a great view.
Tues 2000.10.17 Pictures #? .. 388
Wed 2000.10.18 Aprox Pictures #389 .. 410
Amphn La area - Day 12, 13
This day the group traveled from Chukung to the base of Amphn La. It
was a long trip over some moraines and slightly uphill. There wasn't
much food and water had to be taken from a lake.
Thurs 2000.10.19 Pictures #411 .. 450
Today they crossed the pass (Amphn La) and started with a steep loose-
rock climb and a snow traverse, more steep hiking and 20m of 5.1 - 5.2
climbing with fixed ropes. After this very tiring climb there was
a great view from Seracs and a descent. Luckily one of the party was
a ships cook although they all had to wait for the porters to bring food.
Friday 2000.10.20 Pictures #451 .. 473?
Mera Base camp - Days 14, 15
A long and enjoyable trek 3/4 of the way toward the Mera base camp.
The fog rolled in in the afternoon. Two people droped out due to
feeling bad - leaving a group of 7 and a leader.
Sat 2000.10.21 Pictures #474 .. 516
The trek to Mera base camp ended in a steep, long, climb. The base camp
was nearly filled. Clearly this is a popular hike! The porters were
again slow bringing tents and food. Plans were made to head for the
summit at 3am.
Sun 2000.10.22 Mera Summit Assult Pictures #516 .. 605
Early morning assult of Mera Peak
Woke up late at 3:30 am started hiking at 4:15am.
The path was well traveled and marked and the group was going light.
Pictures - clouds in the valleys like cotton candy. Many peaks
(Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse) visible. A French group (pulling someone)
was passed. by 9:30 attained the summit. Crampons would have been
nice for the descent. The ascent was tiring and slow. One member
barely made the peak but had to descend due to altitude.
Descent was on Mera La glacier - very steep and icy. Decided to push
2 more hours to Tangrang where there was a lodge.
Mon 2000.10.23 Pictures #605 .. 607
Tues 2000.10.24
Tangrang to By the Log (a clearing with many tents, huts selling beer,
Mars bars and Dhal Bhat). It snowed a few cm that night.
Picture #632 is Tashing Ongma.
Wed 2000.10.25 Pictures #633 .. 642
By the Log to Zatrawa La. This was a steep downhill run on fresh snow.
Thur 2000.10.26
Fri 2000.10.27 - Flying Home
Useful Web Links
Lukla 2800m
Namche 3440m
Thyangboche 3867m
Chhunkung 4730m
Gorak Shep 5288m
Mera La 5415m
Mera Peak 6421m (north or south?)
Tangnang 4356m
Ama Dablam Mtn 6856m
Spelling:
Swayambhunath Stupa - mountain top temple over Kathmandu
Bouddhanath Stupa - temple with ribbons in Kathmandu
Bhaktapur - City of Devotees - 3 storeyed Bhairav (fierce form of Lord Shiva) Temple
Patan Durbar Square
Map - Trekking Map 1:75,000 Mount Everest (Sagarmatha National Park)
Nights were generally spent camping in valleys without wind or snow.