subject: Climbing Baden Powell Scout Peak in Nepal [print this page] Climbing Baden Powell Scout Peak in Nepal
Lord Baden Powell Peak, a mushroom shaped mountain situated in the Langtang region offers a perfect alternative to Imja Tse or Island Peak in the Khumbu region. Seen from the south-west, Baden Powell Peak almost looks like Ama Dablam which is situated in the Everest region. It is surrounded by majestic peaks such as Langtang II, Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa and Shishapangma in Tibet.
Locally known as Urkema Peak, it was renamed Lord Baden Powell Peak (5,718m) in 2007. The peak was named after the father of the Scouts movement by the Nepal Government to mark the centenary celebration of the International Scouts Movement.
The trail to Lord Baden Powell peak is located off-the-beaten-track, away from the usual trekking crowd. The villages, dotting the trail, are pristine and untouched by modernity. But the villagers are quite poor. Most of them live below the poverty line and it is hoped that the economic condition of the villagers would improve once this trail gains popularity among trekkers. To mark the launch of the Lord Baden Powell trek and Lord Baden Powell Peak, scouts from different countries like Australia , Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore gathered in Nepal in August 2007 and were the first to trek along the Lord Baden Powell trail and ascend the Lord Baden Powell peak.
> TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 16 Days
Grade: Strenuous (Peak Climbing)
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel and camping
Transportation: Bus
Maximum altitude: 5718m
> OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 03: Drive to Kakani (2050m) / 1.5hrs drive
Day 04: Kakani to Syabru Besi(1400m) / 8 hrs. drive
Day 05: Trek to Lama Hotel(2748m)
Day 06: Trek to Langtang Village (3500m) / 5hrs
Day 07: Trek to Kyangjin (3800m)/ 4hrs
Day 08: Acclimatization climb - ascend a small peak (4500m)
Day 09: Acclimatization climb- ascend Trseko ri (4980m)
Day 10: Base Camp(4987m) / 6 hrs
Day 11: BP Summit( 5,718m) / 14 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Langtang Village
Day 13: Trek to Lama Hotel(2784m)
Day 14: Trek to Syabru Besi(1400m)
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu / 9 hrs
Day 16: Depart Kathmandu
RICE INLUDES:
Hotel/Guest House stay in Kathmandu including breakfast.
Full Board arrangements on trek as per the itinerary supported by Nepalese Sherpa crew.
All necessary transportations from Kathmandu to Road Head and back.
All necessary support of Nepali Sherpas and guides during the Climb.
Airport/Hotel transfers.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
All meals in Kathmandu except breakfast.
Personal gears, climbing equipments of individual use.
Insurance and Rescue evacuation.
Personal expenses.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Day 2 Free day in Kathmandu
You can utilize this day to check your equipments and gear and if needed, do some last minute shopping.
Day 3 Drive to Kakani(2050m) / 1.5 hrs.
In the morning we take a 1.5 hr drive to Kakani. A Nepal Scouts International Training Centre and camp is located here.It spreads over 359 ropanis. This land was donated in 1998 to Nepal Scouts by the then King of Nepal. Over here scouts are given training on BTC, PTC, Advance and CALT. In addition the venue is used for various events and programs.
Day 4 Kakani to Syabru Besi [1400m] / 8 hrs. drive
From Kakani, after having breakfast, we take a 2 hour bus ride to Trishuli. We approach pristine villages on the banks of the river Trishuli. There is a small bazaar on the banks of the river, known as Trishuli Bazar (540m). From Trishuli after driving for another 8kms we reach Rasuwa District's main gate. We drive uphill to reach Dhunche (2120 m) and get to view the mesmerizing panorama of the Himalayas, including the Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang region. We drive downhill, through a winding road and reach Syabru Besi(1460m), where we stay overnight at a local lodge.
Day 5 Trek to Lama Hotel [2748m] / (6hrs.)
We traverse the ridge on Syabru Besi's main road and soon reach Ghopcha Khola. Terraced fields and dense forest with a variety of plant species like oaks, maple, alder and bamboo open up. We may get to see yellow-throated martin, wild boar, langur monkey, red panda and Himalayan black bear en route. Further on, the trail crosses a stream and a bridge. We pass by several small bhattis (tea shops). As we continue ascending steeply along the trail, we come across a steel suspension bridge at 2000 meters. The route further crosses to the north bank of the Langtang Khola amid the spectacular vistas of cascading waterfalls and opens into scrub oak forest. On reaching 2748 meters, we arrive at Lama Hotel where we conclude the trek for the day.
Day 6 Trek to Langtang village [3500m] / (5hrs.)
From Lama hotel, we continue the ascent above the Langtang Khola. As the trail progresses, it becomes steeper. We have the most exotic sights of Langtang Lirung lying at 7246 m. The trail leads to a log bridge and on climbing further we come across lush meadows of Ghora Tabela at 3000m. We will see several lodges and a police check post. Further on, the route opens up into a wide valley of yak pastures and scattered Tamang villages with water-driven mills and prayer wheels. We arrive at Langtang village after crossing a stream and reaching up a height of 3500 meters. Langtang village is the headquarters for Langtang National Park and has flat-roofed Tibetan style houses, hotels and cultivated lands yielding buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips, barley etc.
Day 7 Trek to Kyangjin [3800m] / (4 hrs.)
The trail skirts gradually through rich yak pastures and interesting traditional villages of Muna to Singdun. We cross a wooden cantilever bridge and reach a wide valley after climbing a moraine. Finally, on ascending the mountain passes, we arrive at Kyangjin Gompa. There is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory.
Day 8 Acclimatization climb - ascend a small peak [4500m] / (6 hrs.)
Today we ascend a small peak which lies a few kilometers away from Kyangjin. This is a small peak and it is quite easy to climb. It will take only about 3 hours to ascend.After ascending we rest for a while and enjoy the views, take some pictures and head back again to Kyanjin.
Day 9 Acclimatization climb - ascend Tserko Ri [4980m]
Tserko ri is situated like an island just north of Kyangjin. This is a good peak to acclimatize for the climb and makes for a rewarding day trips. We follow the upper trail out of he village across the river and climb up the ridge to our left. From the top, which is awash with color of the prayer flags, we can see Kyagjin peak and Kyimoshung, with Langtang Lirung towering above them. To the north-east we see the Yala glacier and Yala peak. Across the main valley, Naya Kanga dominates the scenery, with Baden Powell peak peeping up behind its south- west ridge.
Day 10 Trek to Base Camp [4987m] /(6hrs.)
The route from the base camp is an uphill climb. This little trek goes up through a rhododendron forest. We follow the rhododendron bushes and cross a river. We head in a westerly direction up to the mountain and moved towards the south. The base camp at 4,987 m, takes around five to six hours to reach from Kyangjin. The place where we set up our base camp is a good open ground. It is a large rocky area but with fresh water flowing through it. The view from the camp is fantastic. To the north, you have a magnificent view of Langtang Lirung, Langshisa Ri and Shisapangma in Tibet. To the south, the impressive south face of Naya Kanga (5844m) towers above. Since the camp area is totally flat, we can put up our tents easily. We pass the night at the base camp.
Day 11 Summit Baden Powell Peak [5718m] / 14 hrs.
Today we rise up early in the morning and start our ascent to BP Peak summit. From base camp, we cross the rocky field and climb up about 50 metres until we get to a rocky slab on the right. From there we ascend the snowy 30 degree slope that leads to a glacier, which soon becomes a large glacial bowl. We zigzag your way up, keeping to the right, aiming towards the rock face to the west. From here, the slope gets a little bit steeper about 35-40 degrees. At least 100metres of ropes are fixed. We stay on the ice and climb around the rocks until we get to the top of the ridge at about 5,500m. Then there is another steep portion .We fix another 10 metres of rope. A couple of crevasses are on the way up before we climb 100 m straight to the top. We need another fix rope to reach the summit. The ridge at the top is very narrow and has very little space. From the top we have fantastic views of Shishapangma, Naya Kanga , Ganesh Himal and even Kathmandu valley on a clear day.
We return back to base camp.
Day 12 Back to Langtang
Today we trek back to Langtang village.
Day 13 Langtang village to Lama Hotel [2784M]
From Langtang village we trek to Ghora Tabela. We stop briefly for lunch and thereafter continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.
Day 14 Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi [1400m]
From Lama Hotel, we head back to Syabru Besi. We can wander around the undulating path leading to the village. This gives us an opportunity to get an insight of the culture and custom of the Tamang community. We can also simply relax in the sun savoring the beauty of the majestic Himalayan Mountains.
Day 15 Syabru Besi to Kathmandu / 9 hrs.
From Syabru Besi we drive to Kathmandu.
Day 16 Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. If you prefer to stay longer we can arrange short tours for you, such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc.
Contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com for more information
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