Why Climb a Trekking Peak?

Mountaineering in Nepal is neither open nor free. Of its countless summits, only 104 peaks are on the per¬mitted expedition list for which a large fee, increasing with the peak´s altitude, has to be paid. Fortunately, in 1978, under the control of the then newly formed Nepal Mountaineering As¬sociation (NMA), 18 mountains between 5,587 and 6,654 meters were opened to foreign cumbers without the financially restricting and administratively onerous regulation governing the "ex¬pedition peaks." This newly created list formed the so-called "trekking peaks," a term carrying the misleading implica¬tion that the peaks are a walk up and in some way similar to the well known trekkers´ ridge-top viewing-points of Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri and Poon Hill. They are not; all are worthy moun¬taineering objectives involving a varying degree of technical expertise. Found throughout the Nepal Himal, with some notable exceptions (namely the Kanjiroba, Dhaulagiri, Makalu and Kangchenjunga regions), the list in¬cludes the following mountains grouped under then- administrative zone or geographical area:

Manang Himal: Chulu West -6419m; Chulu East – 6584m; Pisang -6091m. Annapurna Himal: Mardi Himal – 5587m; Hiunchuli – 6441m: Tharpu Chuli – 5663m (Tent Peak); Singu Chuli – 6504m (Fluted Peak). Ganesh Himal: Paldor – 5896m. Langtang Himal: Naya Kanga – 5844m (Ganja La Chuli). Rolwaling Himal: Ramdung – 5925m; Parchamo – 6187m. Khumbu Himal: Kusum Kanguru -6367m; Kwangde – 6011m; Lobuje East – 6119m; Kongma Tse – 5849m (Mehra Peak); Pokalde – 5806m; Imja Tse – 6183m (Island Peak); Mera -6654m.

ENDLESS EXPLORATION
It is possible to trek and climb in these areas with little more formality and cost than that of obtaining a "trekking peak permit," in the style similar to that enjoyed by Eric Shipton when in 1951, after exploring the Rolwaling, he wrote in The Times, "This form of mountaineering, the exploration of unknown peaks, glaciers and valleys, the finding and crossing of new passes to connect one area with another, is the most fascinating occupation I know. The variety of experience, the constandy changing scene, the gradual unfolding of the geography of the range are deeply satisfying, for they yield a very real understanding, almost a sense of personal possession, of the country explored."