༄ Lhakpa Ri is a very achievable 7000 meter peak with excellent views of Everest next door. Climb alongside real Everest expeditions and experience wild Tibet. The skiing from the summit of Lhakpa Ri is on 20-35 degree slopes and is very reasonable.

The summit of Lhakpa Ri, Gomba Sherpa spreading the prayer flags during our most recent successful ski expedition to the summit of Lhakpa Ri. image: ©Luke Smithwick

Lhakpa Ri offers the opportunity to climb to and ski from 7000 meters in one of the most spectacular settings on the planet. The North Face of Everest towers across the valley, and Makalu peeks its head out not too far to the South. On this expedition we will start in Kathmandu visiting the sights, then fly to Lhasa to see the Potala and Jokhang before driving overland through Tibet, experiencing pastoral culture on the plateau while we acclimatize, and then driving into Everest Base Camp.

We will camp alongside Everest expeditions as we acclimatize in the Rongbuk valley, where Mallory himself became the first person to climb above 8000 meters in 1922. Once adjusted to the altitude, we will trek up the Far East fork of the Rongbuk, and finally to the Advanced Base Camp for Lhakpa Ri. From here we will begin to ski, touring and skiing runs on the sizeable Rongbuk glacier with views of Everest, Makalu and Changtse.

Once we have some acclimatization days under our belts, we will load our packs and go to a high camp on Lhakpa Ri, The following day we will climb to the summit of Lhakpa Ri to make a ski descent from the magic 7000 meter mark.  With our additional days we will seek out ski more ski descents around the valley, and go for ski descents on the flanks of Everest itself. Join us.

Yaks carrying the loads towards advanced base camp. image: ©Luke Smithwick

Visiting monasteries in Shigatse, a local elder takes a rest against the columns of the building. image: ©Luke Smithwick

Our advanced base camp. Notice that each member gets their own 3 person mountain tent in base camps, the yellow dining tent, and the green kitchen tent. In the background you can see the summit of Lhakpa Ri (far right). image: ©Luke Smithwick

Skiing Lhakpa Ri during our most recent trip, views of Mount Everest across the valley. image: ©Luke Smithwick

The expedition group at Advanced Base Camp. image: ©Luke Smithwick

Tashi Delek and Namaskar.