So you thought that Himalayan climbing = Everest?
And that you had to be:
a) super rich
b) superhuman
to climb in Nepal?
It’s time to dispel that myth.
Experience the
Hidden Himalaya
Nepal has a sweet spot for aspiring mountain Climbers.
6,000m Trekking peaks
While their category name may sound mundane, these 34 peaks are anything but ordinary. Most are true mountaineering objectives; stand higher than almost anything in North America; and are challenging in their own right—yet they are incredibly accessible thanks to Nepal’s European-style trekking infrastructure.
While the trekking peaks reside amongst giants and are adjacent to the highest points in the world, climbing one is more akin to summiting a mountain in the Alps rather than tackling one of their expeditionary 8,000m neighbors. Once you’re acclimatized, most can be climbed in a day; acclimatization is easy when trekking from teahouse to teahouse; eating fresh hot meals; and sleeping in a bed every night.
The best part: climbing one won’t cost as much as a mortgage.
Still, trekking peaks provide an authentic Himalayan experience—complete with climbing, culture, and the types of views that one expects to see in Nepal.
Photo gallery
Climbing in the Khumbu*
*”The Khumbu” is the famed Everest region of Nepal, characterized by valley floors that are higher than any point in the lower 48—as well as the jagged peaks that surround them.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
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No previous experience is required for the mountaineering trips, but you should be able to confidently move over rough (2nd - 3rd class) terrain. Backpacking experience will be helpful; our expert Nepali guides will provide the necessary instruction required prior to each climb.
For trekking trips, if you can hike, you’ll be set.
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Trekking at altitude can be tough; climbing higher is even tougher. We’ll hike for about 4-6 hours on most days; carrying light packs; gaining, on average, 2,500’ per day. On some days, we’ll hike higher and sleep lower to acclimatize. A few days may require longer hikes (6-8 hours.) Summit day for 6,000m peak climbs may last 12 hours and involve climbing from 16,000’ to 20,000’ and back down.
There will be consistent, consecutive active days; so it’s important to have a great fitness base. In order to increase the chance for successful summit days (and to facilitate a more enjoyable experience overall,) we’ve partnered with Summation Athletics. Each person who joins Transcendent Expeditions will receive a training plan tailored to their specific objective. If these training plans are followed leading up to the trip, a more positive outcome will be achieved.
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For the 6,000m peak climbs, all technical gear (including helmets, harnesses, crampons, ice axes, and other required equipment) will be provided—though, if you have your own, you’re encouraged to bring it.
Otherwise, there’s a lot of overlap with typical backpacking gear and apparel.
The one specific item that you may need if participating in a 6,000m peak climb is a pair of high-altitude mountaineering boots. While many people often get away with 4-season boots (such as the La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX or Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro,) we recommend a double boot (La Sportiva G2, Scarpa Phantom 6000, etc.) if you run cold, or a single boot with a super gaiter (La Sportiva G5, Scarpa Phantom Tech, etc.) for extra warmth compared to a typical 4-season boot.
Each participant will be sent a detailed gear list for further reference.
Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal