|
Pokhalde (5,806 m) was first climbed in 1953 via the
Kongma La along its north ridge by the 1953 Everest
Expedition team led by John Hunt. Pokhalde looks like a
crenulated rocky ridge dominated by the vast bulk of
Nuptse when seen from Nuptse. The mountain has a small
hanging glacier, which is best reached along the ridge
rising from the Kongma La, on its northern side.
Although the summit is comparatively smaller than the
rest, it provides a good viewpoint.
Formerly called Mehra Peak or simply Mehra, this
attractive mountain rises to the north of the Kongma La
above the Khumbu glacier opposite Lobuje, and is one of
several small summits, including Pokalde, that make up
the long South-West Ridge of Nuptse, between the Khumbu
and Nuptse Glaciers. Seen from Gorak Shep, the summit
has a diamond shaped hanging glacier above a steeply
inclined rock wall that makes up the mountain's North
Face, which is in turn slashed by a diagonal ice ramp
leading to the lower edge of the glacier. From the south
the mountain is much more approachable. Seen from the
lakes east of the Kongma La, a small, stepped glacier
descends from the summit between long, rocky arms that
make up the mountain's South and South-East Ridges. The
margins of the glacier provide the normal route of
ascent. As with Pokalde the views from the summit are
spectacular, especially so because of the nearness of
the massive south face of Nuptse. The views northwards
towards Pumori and the Lho La are also outstanding
Facts of the Trek
|