Climbing Baden Powell Scout Peak in Nepal


Lord Baden Powell Peak, a mushroom shaped mountain situated in the Langtang region provides a perfect option to Imja Tse or Island Peak in the Khumbu region. Seen from the south-west, Baden Powell Peak practically 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 (five,718m) in 2007. The peak was named right 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 strengthen once this trail gains reputation among trekkers. To mark the launch of the Lord Baden Powell trek and Lord Baden Powell Peak, scouts from diverse countries like Australia , Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore gathered in Nepal in August 2007 and had been the very first to trek along the Lord Baden Powell trail and ascend the Lord Baden Powell peak.

&gt 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

&gt OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Free of charge 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 little 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 remain 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 essential support of Nepali Sherpas and guides throughout the Climb.
Airport/Hotel transfers.

Cost EXCLUDES:
All meals in Kathmandu except breakfast.
Personal gears, climbing equipments of individual use.
Insurance and Rescue evacuation.
Individual 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 practically ecstatic, beginning a entire chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a lengthy, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Day two Free of charge day in Kathmandu
You can make use of this day to check your equipments and gear and if necessary, 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 situated 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 utilized for different events and programs.

]]>

Day four Kakani to Syabru Besi [1400m] / 8 hrs. drive
From Kakani, following having breakfast, we take a two hour bus ride to Trishuli. We approach pristine villages on the banks of the river Trishuli. There is a modest bazaar on the banks of the river, identified as Trishuli Bazar (540m). From Trishuli after driving for an additional 8kms we reach Rasuwa District’s major gate.  We drive uphill to reach Dhunche (2120 m) and get to view the mesmerizing panorama of the Himalayas, such as 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 neighborhood lodge.

Day 5 Trek to Lama Hotel [2748m] / (6hrs.)
We traverse the ridge on Syabru Besi’s primary road and soon reach Ghopcha Khola. Terraced fields and dense forest with a assortment of plant species like oaks, maple, alder and bamboo open up. We might 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 a number of modest 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 numerous 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 and so on.

Day 7 Trek to Kyangjin [3800m] / (four hrs.)
The trail skirts gradually via wealthy yak pastures and interesting traditional villages of Muna to Singdun. We cross a wooden cantilever bridge and reach a wide valley following climbing a moraine. Finally, on ascending the mountain passes, we arrive at Kyangjin Gompa. There is a modest monastery and a government-operated cheese factory.

Day 8 Acclimatization climb – ascend a little peak [4500m] / (6 hrs.)
Today we ascend a small peak which lies a couple of kilometers away from Kyangjin. This is a modest peak and it is very effortless to climb. It will take only about three hours to ascend.Right after ascending we rest for a whilst and appreciate the views, take some pictures and head back once 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 excellent 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 best, 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 primary 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 by means of 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 four,987 m, takes about 5 to six hours to reach from Kyangjin. The place where we set up our base camp is a very good open ground. It is a significant rocky region but with fresh water flowing by means of it. The view from the camp is amazing. 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. Because the camp region is totally flat, we can put up our tents simply. We pass the night at the base camp.

Day 11 Summit Baden Powell Peak [5718m] / 14 hrs.
These days 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 significant glacial bowl. We zigzag your way up, keeping to the proper, 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 remain on the ice and climb about the rocks until we get to the leading of the ridge at about five,500m. Then there is yet another steep portion .We fix an additional 10 metres of rope. A couple of crevasses are on the way up before we climb 100 m straight to the top. We need to have an additional fix rope to reach the summit. The ridge at the top is extremely narrow and has extremely small space. From the best we have amazing 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 provides us an opportunity to get an insight of the culture and custom of the Tamang community. We can also just 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 remain 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 much more info

Contact us at http://www.explorehimalaya.com/nepal-baden-powell-peak.php

for more details about this tour

 

Related Sites