(5,925m/19,434ft.)
Area: Upper Rolwaling Valley in the Rolwaling Himal.
Situated south of Na in the upper Rolwaling area,
Ramdung, also called Ramdung Go, is one of acluster of
peaks around the Yalung La (5,310m/17,421ft), a pass
giving access to the upper Rolwaling from the south, via
the Khare Khola. The peaks in the area were first
explored by Scottish Himalayan expedition, led by Bill |
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Murray in
1952, when three of the peaks near the pass, Yalung Ri
(5,630m/18,471ft), Chhugyima Go (6,259m/20,534ft), and Ramdung were
climbed. In 1955 the peak had its second ascent by members of the
Merseyside expedition. Since then Ramdung has been climbed numerous
times is an ideal summit for groups wanting to trek and climb in the
still little visited Rolwaling Himal area.
Although the mountain, by it normal route of ascent, is
straightforward, its virtues lie in its magnificent position and
splendid summit panorama that ranges from Langtang to Everest and
provides a splendid view of Gauri Shankar and Menlungtse.
The Climb: Northeast Face from the Yalung La:
Despite the fact that the peak is not very high the approach from
Na covers a good distance and most parties require two high camps
for the ascent. Camp 1 is set up around 4,900 meters (16,000ft)
below the Yalung La. Climbing towards the pass and the snow Camp 2
is placed on the broad glacier slopes east of the pass. Ascend the
slopes of the Ramdung Glacier south-west of the subsidiary peak onto
a saddle at the junction with the Yalung Glacier (5,650m/18,537ft).
From here it takes is about a 4 hour climb to the top depending on
snow conditions.
The Rolwaling Trek:
The trek through Rolwaling has everything that trekking in the
Himalayas has to offer. The trek starts from Lamusangu or Charikot
and initially goes through the lower valleys flanked by terraced
fields, farm houses and forested slopes. The Higher valleys of
Rolwaling are inhabited by the Sherpa people who cultivate maize,
barley, potatoes and graze their yaks herds in the higher valleys
below the snow capped peaks. Above the villages of Beding and Na the
route comes to the glaciated valleys where lines glacial lakes like
Tso Rolpa. After the ascent of Ramdung trekkers can cross the Tesi
Lapcha pass (5,755m/18,875ft) to Namche Bazaar on the Everest Base
Camp route. From Namche one can take a side trip to Everest Base
Camp or trek directly to Lukla and catch a plane for Kathmandu. |
