• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Halfway Anywhere

Halfway Anywhere

  • About
  • Blog
  • PCT
  • CDT
  • Hikes
    • Arizona
      • Arizona Trail
      • Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon
      • Royal Arch Loop
    • Australia
      • Outback Bicycle Tour
      • New South Wales
        • The Coast Track
      • Tasmania
        • Federation Peak
        • Frenchmans Cap
        • Mount Anne Circuit
        • Overland Track
        • Western Arthurs Traverse
    • California
      • Cactus to Clouds
      • Kings Canyon High Basin Route
      • Southern Sierra High Route
      • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Brazil
    • Japan
      • Alps Traverse
      • Fuji Area
      • Hokkaido
      • Hokuriku
      • Kansai
      • Kita Alps
      • Kyushu
    • Nepal
      • Everest Base Camp
      • Three Passes Trek
    • New Zealand
      • Ball Pass Route
    • Oregon
      • Timberline Trail
    • Washington
      • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
    • Current Gear List
    • Gear Reviews
    • Gear Lists
    • PCT Gear
    • Best Backpacking Quilts
    • Best Satellite Messengers
    • Best Sun Hoodies
    • Best Thru-Hiking Shoes
    • Best Thru-Hiking Socks
    • Deals & Discounts
  • Surveys
    • PCT Survey
      • PCT Survey Results
      • PCT Gear Guide
      • PCT Resupply Guide
      • Women’s Gear Guide
      • Couples’ Gear Guide
      • Demographic Breakdown
      • PCT Horror Stories
      • PCT Hiker Advice
      • PCT Social Issues
      • All PCT Survey Articles
      • PCT SURVEY SIGNUP!
    • CDT Survey
      • CDT Survey Results
      • CDT Gear Guide
      • CDT Resupply Guide
      • CDT Horror Stories
      • CDT Hiker Advice
      • All CDT Survey Articles
      • CDT SURVEY SIGNUP!
    • JMT Survey
      • JMT Survey Results
      • All JMT Survey Articles
      • JMT SURVEY SIGNUP!
  • Contact
    • Say Hello!
    • Support

Nepal Three Passes Trek

By Mac 9 Comments

My departure from Nepal last January was a very sad time.

I was a kid taken to the most miraculous, jaw-dropping theme park imaginable and told, “You have five minutes to enjoy yourself here before we need to leave and go home.”

For those five minutes things were awesome, but as soon as they were over, all I could think about is going back.

And now, exactly one year after I first crossed the border into the Kingdom of Nepal, I’m going back.

The objective? The Three Passes Trek.

Nepal-Kathmandu-Map-Shop
So many choices!

My first Himalayan adventure – trekking solo to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in the height of winter – definitely ticked few boxes on the “firsts” list (first time not being able to flush a toilet because the water in the basin was frozen).

Yet Everest Base Camp is merely a warm-up for what the Himalaya really have to offer.

Like the EBC trek, the Three Passes Trek also calls Sagarmatha National Park home; and like the EBC trek, the Three Passes Trek also (typically) begins and ends in Lukla. In fact, the trails are the same for a bit, so I will be returning to some of the places I fell in love with last year.

I will again be heading out alone, without a guide or porter, and with much of the same gear that accompanied me last year (a gear list is on its way). This trek is a longer and more remote than the EBC trek, but hopefully my experience last year will give me foundation enough for another successful trip this time around.

Namche-New-Years-Friends-3
Hopefully I make
Namche-New-Years-Friends-2
some equally
Namche-New-Years-Friends-1
awesome friends.

So what are the “three passes” of this trek? They are (clockwise):

  • Renjo La 17,677 ft / 5,388 m
  • Cho La 17,651 ft / 5,380 m
  • Kongma La 18,159 ft / 5,535 m

In addition to crossing these three high passes, there are three trekking peaks (as in no mountaineering equipment required) that can all be easily accessed from the Three Passes Trail. They are (clockwise):

  • Gokyo Ri 17,989 ft / 5,483 m
  • Kala Pattar 18,209 ft / 5,550 m (although I’ve seen this listed at 18,514 ft / 5,643 m)
  • Chukhung Ri 18,209 ft / 5,550 m

Last time around I made it up both Kala Patthar and Chukhung Ri, so I’ll probably be skipping them in favor of Gokyo Ri, a trip to Gokyo Lakes (some of the world’s highest), and possibly a visit to the 19,049 ft / 5,806 m summit of Pokalde Peak (Dolma Ri).

I am trying to figure out the Pokalde Peak permit situation (Do I need one? How much is it? Where do I get it?), but ultimately, my summit attempt will depend on what kind of time I’m making and the conditions once I get within striking distance.

Nepal-Himalaya-Trail-Snow
Not the weather I’m hoping for.

Which direction I am going to hike, I still don’t know (and I might not know until I arrive in Namche Bazaar, but apparently a counter-clockwise trek takes slightly less time than a clockwise journey.

Unfortunately, my time in Nepal will (again) be limited, so I am fervently praying to the mountain gods for undelayed flights to and from Lukla, and for weather on par with the near perfect conditions I saw last year.

Regardless of what happens, I am sure it will be an adventure (that hopefully does not result in my death).

Think I should opt to skip the Three Passes Trek in favor of something else this winter? Have an answer to my looming permit question? Leave a comment and let me know!

You'll Like These Too:

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on WhatsApp Share on Email

Nepal,  Three Passes Trek Everest Region,  Pre-Departure

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
9 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent Posts

  • Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2022 Survey
  • Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey (2022)
  • Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide (2022 Survey)
  • The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2022 Survey
  • Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey (2022)
Backpacking Gear Pacific Crest Trail Continental Divide Trail Mac's Backpack

Footer

STAY IN TOUCH

You've made it this far, you're either into this site or you're still looking for something. Either way, best to sign up for my newsletter, yeah?

NAVIGATION

  • Recent Posts
  • Backpacking Gear
  • Continental Divide Trail
  • Pacific Crest Trail
  • Brazil Trekking
  • Japan Trekking
  • Nepal Trekking
  • New Zealand Trekking
  • Tasmania Trekking

LEGALESE

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2023 · Halfway Anywhere