19 Jun 2024 Prakash Devkota
Pachermo Peak climbing is a thrilling expedition in the Himalayas of northeast Nepal, which tests your skills and endurance in alpine mountaineering. This colossal peak rises at an impressive height of 6,273 meters/20,581 feet in the Mahalangur Subrange Himal at Rolwaling Valley of Khumbu region. Pachermo Peak, which is at the border of the Khumbu Valley and Rolwaling Valley, can be accessed from both sides. Usually, the trekking journey to Pachermo Peak is a mixed experience of immersion in the sereneness and wilderness of the backwood Rolwaling region and embracing the hustle and bustle of the world-famous Everest/Khumbu region.
Pachermo is a beautiful trekking peak, standing magnificently to the southwest of the Tashi Lapcha Pass. Before scaling the summit of Pachermo, you will cross this high-altitude Himalayan Pass at 5,755 meters. This pass connects the Rowling Valley to the Khumbu Valley, which is a bit technical to navigate. Despite the status of being the trekking peak, the climb of Pachermo mountain is quite challenging. It demands reasonable physical fitness, technical climbing skills, and proper acclimatization strategies. Additionally, managing the risk posed by unpredictable high-altitude weather conditions is essential to increase the chance of a safe and successful ascent.
Pachermo is a semi-technical peak to climb. This peak presents both challenges and rewards for avid climbers who want to experience the thrill of alpine mountaineering and explore breathtaking heights. The ascent of the peak is ideal for climbers who are seeking to push their limits by conquering the new challenges in the mountain. The summit of Pachermo Peak rewards climbers with the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding giants like Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cho Oyu, Gauri Shankar, Melungtse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kanguru, and several more.
Pachermo Peak Difficulty Factors and Preparations
Remote Location
The trekking and mountaineering adventures in the Himalayan region usually take place in remote and secluded locations. The Pachermo Peak climbing expedition in the Rolwaling Valley lacks luxury. While you may be habitual to the lavish lifestyle, this remote adventure does not offer the comfort of modernity. You will trek across the rugged mountainous landscapes with no services and amenities like a luxurious vacation destination. You should be accustomed to the simple way of living until your journey period is over.
Owing to the transportation challenges, the destination region has lagged behind in infrastructural and technological development. Access to health services is also difficult. While there are fewer health centers in the lower trekking areas, they are not equipped with adequate medicines. For the basic facilities like electricity, internet, and telecommunication, you have to pay an extra charge. Moreover, these facilities can be unavailable at the higher elevations. So be prepared for the inconveniences that you might face due to the remoteness of the place on the way to the Pachermo Peak. It is wise to be self-sufficient by carrying all the required items to avoid discomfort during the journey.
More importantly, if you happen to strike with any unthought-of accidents and injuries during the climb of Pachermo Peak, evacuation can be challenging owing to the rugged and complex geography. So, you need to have travel insurance with helicopter rescue and evacuation coverage.
Long Duration and Physical Endurance
The long duration and required physical endurance for sustaining the journey make the Pachermo Peak expedition quite tough. This endeavor lasts for around 18-20 days, and during each trekking day, you have to cover about 5-7 hours on rugged mountainous trails. You need to apply sustained effort on steep, icy, and rocky terrains during your trekking and climbing phases. Both cardiovascular and muscular endurance are required to pass through the complex trails and terrains on the way to the top of the Pachermo Peak.
Continuous exposure to high altitude and its challenging conditions leads to fatigue and mental strain, and you need proper stamina to endure long periods of exertion and stress. The need for proper acclimatization, temperature/weather adaptation, physical conditioning, and mental resilience challenge your mountaineering adventure. So, preparing yourself physically and mentally is essential for an easygoing journey in the mountains.
Technical Difficulty
Pachermo Peak presents several technical challenges that you should be prepared for. The route involves steep ice, snow slopes, exposed ridges, and loose rock portions. Moreover, you have to negotiate through the glaciers, which can potentially be crevassed. Since the climb is a bit technical, you need to have technical skills to deal with the demanding sections of the route.
You should possess knowledge of technical climbing skills such as glacier travel, rope management, ice/rock climbing, and crevasse rescue techniques. It is recommended to have techniques and familiarity with using basic climbing equipment like ice axes, crampons, harnesses, ropes, carabiners, etc. This mountaineering equipment helps to navigate you safely and easily through challenging technical routes. You can participate in pre-climbing training sessions or hire experienced guides for proper information, instructions, and guidance in technical mountaineering.
High Altitude and Altitude Sickness
The high altitude and the threat of altitude sickness exacerbate the Pachermo Peak difficulty. Climbing Pachermo Peak is a high-altitude Himalayan adventure. It takes you to the breathtaking heights in the mountains. The peak itself is at an impressive elevation of 6,273 meters. Besides, you will meet the highest point of your trekking journey while crossing the high mountain pass, Tashi Lapcha, at 5,755 meters. The other elevated points reached during the journey are Na village (4,180 meters), Tsho Rolpa Lake (4,560 meters), Drolambu Glacier (4,880 meters), and Thayangbo Khaka (4,320 meters), Ngole (5,110 meters).
As we ascend to higher altitudes, the air becomes thinner, and the level of oxygen decreases due to the depleting air pressure. As our body cannot adapt to the low oxygen levels of the higher elevations, the likelihood of altitude sickness increases. The altitude symptoms are usually seen after crossing a height above 2,500 meters. The common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, weakness, sleeping difficulty, breathing problems, and quick heartbeat. Since the Pachermo Peak climbing adventure exceeds 6,000 meters in elevation, there is a high risk of being affected by altitude sickness.
It is wise to be mindful of altitude sickness, and if you experience any of its symptoms during your high-altitude endeavor of Pachermo Peak, you should better communicate with your guide. Descend to the lower familiar elevations to stay there until the symptoms disappear or the sickness is recovered. Only after ensuring your body can progress can you ascent further.
To avoid the occurrence of altitude sickness, you can consider the following mitigating measures
- Carry enough water supplies to keep yourself hydrated throughout the journey
- Emphasize a highly nutritious diet to prevent health problems and susceptibility to diseases
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
- Ascend at a slow pace, allowing adequate time for your body to adjust to the rising elevations
- Carry high-energy snacks like nuts, dry fruits, and chocolates for a constant energy supply and to avoid weaknesses
Weather Conditions
The weather in the alpine mountainous locations is usually unpredictable. There is no guarantee of climate changes and temperature fluctuations in the elevated regions. A pleasant sunny day can unexpectedly turn into wet and cold with dark rain clouds in no time. Especially during the crossing of Tashi Lapcha Pass and summiting the Pachermo Peak, you need to monitor the weather forecast time and again.
Strong high winds, heavy snowfall, and blizzards can trouble the expedition, adding complexities to the trail navigation. For this reason, you need to be flexible with the itineraries and travel time so that if in case the trip is delayed due to weather adversity, you can extend the journey period.
The alpine environment is typically colder, with temperatures below the freezing scale. There can be the possibility of hypothermia and frostbite in bitter cold temperature conditions. So, you need to pack accordingly with warm layers to stay comfortable and safe in a chilly, high-altitude environment.
Gain Insights On:
What Can Reduce the Pachermo Peak Difficulty?
Fitness and Experience
The climb of Pachermo Peak can be a bit challenging both physically and technically for first-time mountaineers. To overcome the difficulties of climbing the Pachermo Peak, you need to have a considerable level of physical fitness. Being in proper shape and sound health conditions are the basic requirements of the expedition. Involve in physical exercises like jogging, dancing, skipping, stair climbing, running, cycling, swimming, push-ups, squats, plunges, deadlifts, planks, etc. These will help upgrade your strength and cardiovascular endurance and prepare your body for a rigorous, high-altitude journey.
While the mountaineering experience is not mandatorily necessary for climbing Pachermo, it is highly recommended. Experience is always beneficial in tackling the difficulties that strike the way. Experience doesn’t mean several years of expertise in the mountaineering field. At least a moderate level of experience with a few successful climbing stories is what I mean to say. If you are a beginner climber who wants to step into the world of mountaineering through an adventurous climb of Pachermo Peak, your ambition is still not impossible. You can embark on this journey and hopefully achieve triumph if you come up with careful planning, physical and mental preparation, and a few pre-climbing training.
Guides and Porters
Guides and porters are helpful professionals who aid in making your expedition easy, smooth, immersive, enriching, and joyful. Local guides and porters are knowledgeable about the trekking/climbing destination and they can provide you with valuable insights into the important highlights of the region. They do not let you miss any attractions of the place and ensure that you have made the most of the particular adventure.
Guides especially help to show you the way through any challenging routes. They provide valuable assistance in the navigation of complex terrains. The impassable routes, if traveled alone, can be traversed with the guidance and instructions of the guides. The difficulty level of Pachermo Peak is somewhat eased if you are accompanied by an experienced and friendly guide on the journey. With the expert knowledge of well-trained guides, the possibility of risks during the expedition is reduced. They possess extensive technical mountaineering skills such as rock climbing, ice climbing, glacier travel, route finding, crevasse rescue, fixing ropes, and techniques on effective use of gears. So, the chance of successfully reaching the summit of Pachermo Peak is multiplied tenfold if you opt for a guided expedition.
Porters are vital in relieving the burden of heavy loads during your adventurous journey. The excitement and joy of traveling freely and openly is always greater than being suppressed by the weight of big backpacks. Porters carry your belongings and let you fully focus and enjoy the adventure. With them, the physically exhausting trek and climb of the Pachermo Peak can be considerably tuned into a convenient, enjoyable, rewarding, and fulfilling endeavor.
Right Gear and Equipment
Packing should have dual purposes: being well-equipped for a safe and convenient journey while keeping the load manageable. Only pack the most needed items for the Pachermo Peak climbing journey. Prioritize the lightweight and multifunctional gear.
Trekking Gear
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- high SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Headlamp with spare batteries
Clothing
While packing clothes for the Pachermo Peak journey, prioritize the layered approach, considering the weather and temperature variations of the higher elevations.
- Sun hat
- Warm hat or beanie
- Scarf
- Lightweight moisture-wicking base layers
- Tear resistance and flexible clothes
- Insulated jacket and pants
- Flexible hiking pants
- Soft cotton underclothes
- Down jackets
- Waterproof and windproof outer shells (jacket and pants)
- Liner and insulated gloves
- Mittens
- Liner and woolen socks
- Slippers or flipflops
- Sturdy trekking boots
- Light sport shoes
- Mountaineering boots
- Gaiters
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Lightweight tent
Climbing Equipment
- Climbing helmet
- Harness
- Rope
- Carabiners
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Prusik cords
- Belay device
- Ascenders/jumars
Safety Gear
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
- Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, etc)
- First Aid Kit with general medicines
- Satellite phones
Navigation Devices
- Maps
- Compass
- GPS
- Guide books
- Altimeter (for monitoring the altitude changes)
Choosing the Ideal Time to Attempt Pachermo Peak
Spring and autumn are considered favorable times to go for any high-altitude Himalayan trekking and mountaineering expeditions. Spring (March, April, and May) is a pre-monsoon season, and autumn (September, October, and November) is a post-monsoon period. During this time, you can expect a mild temperature and stable weather conditions. The pleasant temperature and delightful weather are the primary requirements for easy, safe, and smooth outdoor adventures.
Spring and autumn bring out the clear sky, which is less cloudy and more sunny. The dark rain clouds are rare to see, and so is the rainfall. This keeps the trekking and climbing trails remain dry and well-defined. The bright sunshine and cozy, gentle heat help for the comfortable walks over the unwet routes. The chance of slips and injuries because of slippery and muddy trails can also be avoided. Due to moderate temperatures, the chance of snowfall is also reduced at this time. With no snow accumulation on the climbing routes, the ascent to Pachermo Peak is accessible and easy. The crystalline sky, on the other hand, allows for unobstructed views of the captivating mountainous surroundings and the pristine snow-coated Himalayas. Furthermore, the air is fresh, and the atmosphere is clean, with no dust, haze, or fog. The environmental freshness and purity contribute to the sharp visibility of the Himalayan surroundings that can be observed with utmost clarity.
Besides, spring brings color to the Himalayan landscapes with blooming flowers and emerging leaves. You can find yourself under the canopy of colorful floral blooms and dense foliage while traversing the lowland forest and vegetated areas. Likewise, autumn creates a visual splendor with its multi-colored fall leaves, which dominate the mountainous landscapes. The allure of distinct color in nature brought by these different seasons will awestruck the visitors who climb the Pachermo Peak at this time.
Summer/Monsoon (June, July, and August) and winter (December, January, and Februray) are not the recommended times to embark on the high-altitude climb of Pachermo Peak. Summer/Monsoon is hot and wet with intense sunlight and heavy rainfall, which creates difficulty in progressing the trekking/climbing adventures. Likewise, winter is extremely cold in the higher elevations. There can be a chance of frostbite and hypothermia if you do not dress with heavy layers and keep yourself warm. The extreme coldness and thick pile of snow on the climbing passes make it difficult to climb the peak.
Quick Tips for an Easy and Safe Journey of Pachermo Peak
- Plan your journey ahead by researching your destination thoroughly
- Pack lightly by including multifunctional and lightweight items. Consider using packing cubes to organize the belongings evenly and efficiently.
- Carry a thermal water bottle for continuous hot water hydration in the chilly, high-altitude weather
- Pack high-energy snacks to maintain a sustained energy level required for consecutive treks or ascents. Avoid eating heavy meals before the start of each day’s journey, which might cause you discomfort.
- Be flexible for unexpected delays and changes in your travel plans.
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
