27 Apr 2021 Prakash Devkota
Tent Peak, best known as the Tharpu Chuli Peak, is a trekking peak in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. Pretty famous among novice climbers, Tent Peak is an expedition to gain some mountaineering experience without taking much risk. The peak appears among the list of best trekking peaks in Nepal, which indeed it is. Tent Peak Difficulty level is easy; one with no prior climbing memories can attend this climb. And that is what makes it so appropriate for beginners.
Climbers will not only learn something on this expedition, but they will also experience the best views in some time. Tharpu Chuli Expedition is also about trekking the famous Annapurna Region. One has to pass through the Annapurna Base Camp, the picturesque base camp of the world’s tenth tallest mountain. Moving further to the top of Tent Peak, a climber will get to view snowy peaks like Annapurna I, II, III, V, South, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and more. Therefore, the expedition is excellent for the eyes of the climbers.
Turning the pages of history, Tent Peak was climbed by Jimmy Roberts, one of the best climbers of the twentieth century, in 1956. Ever since that time, the peak has been a destination for both amateurs and professionals. Professionals seem to do this climb to acclimatize well before climbing Annapurna and other higher mountains of Nepal. Likewise, beginners have been attending this peak to gain some expertise to level up themselves.
As this has been a destination for all sorts of climbers now, there are considerable interests to know the Tent Peak Difficulty Level. We will attempt to answer most of the questions related to Tharpur Chuli or Tent Peak Difficulty Level during this blog.
Moreover, we have also included some helpful information about Tent Peak Climbing as well. Make sure you read all of that.
Major Highlights of Tent Peak Expedition
- Climb one of the most accessible trekking peaks in Nepal and enjoy the striking views of the mountains of Annapurna and other massifs from the summit.
- Experience the natural riches of the Annapurna Region.
- Trek through the trails that are popular as Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trail.
- Pass by the various traditional and ethnic settlements of the region.
- Witness the diverse vegetation of the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Hike down the famous hill station of the region, Poon Hill, and witness the breathtaking sunrise and mountain panorama.
Outlined Itinerary of Tent Peak (Tharpu Chuli) Climbing
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Altitude Gain: 1400m(Kathmandu)
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Drive Duration: 5 hours
Altitude Loss: 820m(Pokhara)
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul and Trek up to Tikhedhunga
Drive Duration: 5 hours
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Altitude Gain: 1577m(Tikhedhunga)
Day 04: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 2855m(Ghorepani)
Day 05: Early morning hike to Poonhill and then trek to Tadapani
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Highest Altitude: 3210m(Poonhill)
Altitude Gain: 2590m(Tadapani)
Day 06: Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrung
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Loss: 2040m(Chhomrong)
Day 07: Trek from Chhomrong to Bamboo
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 2,335m(Bamboo)
Day 08: Trek from Bamboo to Deurali
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 3230m(Deurali)
Day 09: Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Altitude Gain: 4,130m(Annapurna Base Camp)
Day 10: Acclimatization Day at Annapurna Base Camp
Day 11: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Tent Peak Base Camp
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 4800m(Tent Base Camp)
Day 12: Trek from Tent Peak Base Camp to High Camp
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 5200m(Tent Peak Base Camp)
Day 13: Acclimatization day at Tent Peak High Camp.
Day 14: Climb the Summit and descend back to the High camp
Trek(Climb) Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Highest Point: 5500m(Tent Peak)
Altitude Loss: 5200m(Tent Peak High Camp)
Day 15: Trek down from High Camp to Annapurna Base Camp
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Altitude Loss: 4,130m(Annapurna Base Camp)
Day 16: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Altitude Loss: 2,335m(Bamboo)
Day 17: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Loss: 1750m(Jhinu Danda)
Day 18: Trek from Jhinudanda to Pothana
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 1890m(Pothana)
Day 19: Trek from Pothana to Dhampus Phedi and drive back to Pokhara
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Drive Duration: 1 hour
Altitude Loss: 820m(Pokhara)
Day 20: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Drive Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Altitude Gain: 1400m(Kathmandu)
Day 21: Transfer to the Kathmandu Airport and Departure
Route of Tent Peak Climbing
The Tent Peak or Tharpu Chuli begins from Kathmandu as every other expedition in Nepal. Firstly, you will leave for Pokhara from Kathmandu. As you reach Pokhara, you will spend the rest of the day there.
After that, you will join a ride to Nayapul from Pokhara to start the trek to Tikhedhunga. Continuing the trail, you will pass via various settlements and stops of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek. The route will also take you to Poonhill, the most popular hill station of Nepal. From there, the trail will lead towards the Annapurna Base Camp via Deurali and Bamboo. As the Tent Peak Base Camp is only 6 hours trek away from the Annapurna base camp, the route will move in that way.
Furthermore, the climbing section starts as you leave the peak’s base camp for its high camp. It is when you have to open up your mountaineering gears and show some skills. The journey now gets a little tricky and challenging from the Tent Peak High Camp until the Summit. You will do the climb, and you will make a return back to the High Camp; all of that will happen within 7 to 8 hours. Following the successful ascent of Tent Peak, you will retrace the same route to reach Kathmandu and conclude the tour there.
Tent Peak Difficulty Level
Tent Peak is not a challenging climb. Categorized as a trekking peak, the summit point of Tent Peak is 5,500m. It is among the smallest treks in Nepal. As of the low elevation below 5,800m, the government has made it a permit-free peak.
Yeah, the mountain is not that towering, but the journey onwards from Tent Peak Base Camp to the summit is a little challenging. The Tharpu Chuli or Tent Peak is rated as PD(a little difficult) as per the Swiss Alpine System. And a peak rated that grade does have some technical sections, and climbers have to walk on glaciers during an expedition of such mountain. En route to the top, you will wander via Annapurna and Gangapurna Glacier to reach Tent Peak’s High Camp; the glacier walk can be a little tricky.
However, the final stretch from the Tent Peak high camp to the Summit is the most technical one. This part involves a straight climb where you have to use ice, crampons, ice axes, and other gear. You have to use fixed ropes to move across the technical portion of the climb. During the whole of the expedition, you have to face several challenges. Some of them will be due to altitude, some will be due to the trail’s rugged nature, and the rest will be the technical portions of the climb.
Hence, it is both an easy or difficult climb to complete. All of that relies on your skill and preparation. If you have the required skills and have done the preparation, you can easily be on top of Tent Peak.
Significant Difficulties of Tent Peak Climbing
The major challenges that come up while climbing Tent Peak are as below:
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness is a problem that exists on every high altitude trekking and climbing. Three is fear of the sickness on Tent peak climbing as well. As the highest point of the climb is 5,500m, you can experience problems due to the altitude at any point. The less experienced climbers are more exposed to this problem than the pros. Such people do not have prior high elevation experience, and as a result, they get trapped by the illness.
Technical Section
Tharpu Chuli Peak does have technical sections. Yet, the sections are less demanding in comparison to other similar trekking peaks. The technical sections of this climb lie between the stretch from its High Camp to its summit point. Climbers have to use the fixed ropes to move further in those sections. Moreover, you are supposed to use several of the primary mountaineering gears too.
Glacier Portion
Annapurna and Gangapurna Glacier is located between Tent Peak Base Camp and Tent Peak High Camp. Hence, you have to pass through the glacier area, which can be a little critical. You have to watch every step while giving via this section.
Moraine Section
Just after you leave Tent Peak Base Camp for the high camp, you will be exposed to the rockfall area. The area is not a safe place to pause for long; the rockfall can occur any time. Also, the rock accumulated site is a bit difficult to walk at a regular pace. That is why the moraine section can bring minor difficulties.
Extreme Weather
The higher areas above 5000m are not the warm places at all. When you are in such sites, you are exposed to extreme weather. The same is while on Tent Peak Expedition. You will be climbing and camping above 5000m where there is -degree Celsius temperature and strong wind all the time. To endure such circumstances is undoubtedly a difficult job for you if you are not a professional.
Who is the Right Fit for Tent Peak Climbing?
Well, anyone who has done some basic mountaineering training and possesses a good level of fitness is eligible for this climb. The beginners with no previous climbing experience can attend this expedition to gain some mountaineering experience. However, several technical sections have to be overcome to scale the summit during the climb. That is why a basic knowledge about climbing and mountaineering gears like crampons, axes, and ropes is a must.
Moreover, a person should acclimate to higher altitudes as required. There are several acclimatization days in the expedition. You have to be comfortable with the heights on time by using those acclimatization days. If you cannot get used to the higher altitudes quickly, this expedition is not for you. Likewise, you should be okay to trek for around 5 to 8 hours daily on a steep and rough trail. If you meet all the above requirements, you are more than ready for the Tent Peak Difficulty Level.
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Best Time for Tent Peak Expedition
Mountains remain calm during some seasons and not in others. When everything is stable up there in the mountains, those periods are known as the best times for climbing. Choosing the right time is critical as the difficulty level of any of the climbs depends on the time you choose. That is why it is pretty essential to plan an expedition when all conditions are excellent.
Let’s discuss when you should plan Tent Peak Expedition and when not down there below:
Autumn | Late September to November
Plan your expedition during Autumn, and you will get all the best weather conditions. The three months are just what you need to do a successful climb of the peak. Throughout this season, the weather around the Himalayas does not change much. Warm temperature, clear skies, fewer chances of rainfall, added visibility are Autumn conditions in Nepal. Due to all those reasons, the season is one of the most preferred times for mountaineering in Nepal. That is why you should plan for Autumn Tent Peak Expedition.
Spring | March to May
Spring is another time you should consider peak climbing in Nepal. From March to May, the climate remains as beautiful as it can. A person outing during Spring days gets enough sunshine, calm weather, bearable temperature, and more. This is when the trails of Nepal are occupied by trekkers and climbers from around the world. It is also when the wildflowers start to blossom, which indicates the adventurer to come here for adventures.
Monsoon | June to Early September
Monsoon is the wettest season of all. Through the Monsoon months, Nepal experiences about 2,500 millimeters of rain each year. To get a sunny day during Monsoon is a hard thing; it may happen or may not. Most of the tracks get completely wet and slippery. And you will not see many people traveling around Nepal. In such conditions, mountaineering is a distant dream. There is a lot of risk in climbing during the Monsoon. If you choose this season over others, you are advancing the Tent Peak difficulty level. That is why we do not suggest this season for your mountaineering expedition.
Winter | December to February
As the new year comes every year, the weather gets chilly in Nepal. This period is the coldest of all, especially in the higher areas. The temperature is far below the freezing level, and there is plenty of snowfall around the country. Being in the Himalayas during this season is a challenging situation to bear. If you are considering mountain climbing at this time, don’t. The Tent Peak difficulty level gets skyrocketed during this time of the year. Hence, it is better to stay at home during this season.
Conclusion
Tent Peak Difficulty Level is not a big deal if you do everything right. Just make sure you are doing the proper training and right preparation, choosing the right time. Tent Peak is just another accessible peak if you have done everything right from your side. You will scale the top of it quite nicely, so make sure you do everything as said here. However, you also have to do one another thing right; to choose the right agency to guide you throughout the expedition.
Peak Climbing Nepal, a leading expedition organizer from Nepal, is the righteous agency for your Tent Peak Climbing. They have the best team that gives the best effort to produce the best result.
or mail at info@peakclimbingnepal.com