For quite a while I was curious if there was a passage from the Lumsumna Glacier (by Jasemba) to the 6th Gokyo Lake and the Cho Oyu BC. When I arrived in Thame, we were asking the local Sherpa who climbed on Nepal side of Cho Oyu if the passage was possible. He told us that the passage does exist but the way is too difficult for the porters unless they have proper climbing gear. He also told us that there was an easier way roughly in the same area. The Sumna Pass was supposed to be the easier (although longer) way. There is no trail as the pass is not used frequently but it was in the area of my interest so we decided to give it a try. It is a fantastic trek through one of the more remote regions of the Khumbu. The views are fabulous and the sense of isolation is uncommon for the busy Khumbu valleys. The trip takes four days and it requires camping equipment as Aye is the last tea house along the way. A local guide is recommended as there is no trail and the way through the boulder fields and small glaciers can be confusing. Thanks to Rajendra and the Mountain Sun Valley for making this happen.
satellite image of Cho Oyu
On the trail from Lukla to Namche
Between Lukla and Thame
Gomba In Namche
Namche Gomba
Namche
Namche
Between Namche and Thame
Between Namche and Thame
Thame Gomba
Thame
Thame
Thame Gomba
Thame
Sundar Peak is ideal for acclimatization. It is right above Thame. It is 5000m high and has 1250m ascent.
Since the mountain is strategically located, it provides panoramic views to the mountains above Namche and upt he Thame Valley all the way to Cho Oyu and the Tibet border.
Mountains along the valley leading to Teshi Labtsa Pass
Mountains along the valley leading to Teshi Labtsa Pass
Looking north
Even Mt. Everest makes an appearance
Upper Thame Valley
Panchermo is visible on center right
Panchermo
Following the upper Thame Valley to the tea house of Aye
Aye is coming up. Passed this point it is camping only.
Planning our route in Thame
Aye and the mountains next to Renjola
Aye teahouse - 6 am and starting the fire
Passed Aye, we are heading towards the Nangpa Glacier
Rock towers above Aye
Dingjung Ri 6757m and Khang Karpo 6646m
Phenomenal mountains of the north Rowaling. Dingjung Ri and Dragnag Ri.
Dragnag Ri 6757 and Khang Karpo 6646m
Nangpa Glacier and Jesemba on the right
First view of Lunag 1
Nangpa Glacier
Nangpa Glacier and Lunag 1
Jasemba 7352 and Nangpai Gosum
Lunag 1
Sumna Ri 6000m
Sumna Ri and Sunma Pass (low snow indent between the mountains)
Jasemba, Nangpa Gosum, Cho Oyu and Gyachungkang Kang - the spectacular wall of Himalaya giants.
Pankbuk North 6750 (left), little Lunag 6300 and Lunag 1 6907m
Pankbuk North and Little Lunag
Little Lunag and Lunag 1
Lunag 1
Little Lunag
Lunag 1
Looking back south at Dragnag Ri bordering the Rowaling
Spectacular Tengi Ragi Tau 6901m from he north-east. This peak towers above Teshi Labtsa Pass. The pointy Arye Ri 5967m is in front of it.
Cho Oyu
The peak next to Sumna Pass (nameless)
Looking down the Nangpa Glacier where we came from.
Lunag 1
Our camp for Sumna Pass. The pass can is visible on the left (the cleft between the mountains).
Pano of the Sunma Pass bc
The south wall of Cho Oyu where the Sherpa are trying to put up a commercial climbing route.
Looking down to Nangpa Glacier and Jobo Lecoultre
looking down the Lunag Glacier
There is no path to the pass and the glacier moraine is full of loose builders.
working our way up the loose boulder slope
The views are becoming spectacular.
The peaks of the upper Rowaling and Menlungtse Basin
Jobo Lecoultre and Pankbuk North
The glacier leading to the pass
The mountains in Tibet including Menlungtse are now visible on the horizon
Menlungtse in Tibet
Menlungtse in Tibet
Sumna Pass 5400m
Looking down from near the pass
Looking west from Sumna Pass
Sumna Pass 5400 - view west
East side of Sumna Pass
Sumna Pass from the air. The Menlungtse is the pointy peak on the left.
Sumna Pass is the indent between the mountains in the lower left (on the glacier). Photo is taken from the air. Lunag 1 is on the left and Jasemba on the right.
Closeup of the Sumna Pass from the air
Closeup of the Sumna Pass
Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu from Sumna Pass. You can even see the pointy Lobuche East!
Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse and Chamlang are all visible. The view from the Sumna Pass.
Everest and Lhotse
North aspect of Mount Everest
Makalu
Looking back at our descent from Sunmna Pass
A little lake with impressive ice at the foot of the Sumna Pass Glacier
Sumna Pass Glacier
Old glacial bed on the way from Sumna Pass
Descending towards the Gokyo Lakes from Sumna Pass
Cholatse
Cholatse
Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu
