This spectacular Gurla Mandata massif
makes up part of the western section on the Himalayan
lying in the Burang Country of Tibet. It is a close
neighbour to the sacred Mount Kailash, which lies
to its north. The local inhabitants call it the
Namo Nanyi meaning "Fairy's Peak". Gurla
Mandhatais made up of six ridges. The west ridge
is shaped like a fan and stretched across from north
to south, while the eroded east ridge forms extremely
steep cliffs. Also to the north lies the holy lake
Manasorover and Langatso.
Gurla Mandata was first climbed in
1985 by a Sino Japanese expedition. This 7000er
has been climbed only five times since the first
ascent up until now. This is rather amazing given
the fact that the mountain was attempted as early
as 1902.
The ascent takes place on the northern
slope through the Zalompa glacier. The scenery is
magnificent; down below stretches the arid Tibetan
plateau enhanced in beauty by the sparkling lakes
Manasorovar and Rakyas with Mount Kailash as the
backdrop. The climbing is relatively safe with the
route crossing the left side of the glacier to reach
a plateau under the summit's ridge. Base camp is
at the foot of the glacier at 5600m.
Climbing itineraries:
Day 01 : Arrival
Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
Day 02-04 : Stay in Kathmandu for
Tibet visa procedures.
Day 05 : Drive to Zangmu (2300m).
Overnight in hotel.
Day 06 : Drive to Nyalam. (3750m).
Overnight in hotel.
Day 07 : Nyalam, acclimatization
days.
Day 08 : Trek to Lake Paiko Tso.
Overnight in camp
Day 09 : Drive to saga. Overnight
in camp.
Day 10 : Drive to Pariyang. Overnight
in camp.
Day 11 : Drive to Darchen. Overnight
in camp.
Day 12 : Trek to Dhiraphuk Gompa.
Overnight in camp.
Day 13 : Trek over Drolma Pass
to Zutulphuk. Overnight in camp.
Day 14 : Trek to Darchen and drive
to Mansarovar, Overnight in camp
Day 15 : Drive to Gurla Mandata
Base Camp.
Day 16-36 : Climbing Period
Day 37 : Cleaning up Base Camp
Day 38 : Drive to Pariyang. Overnight
in camp.
Day 39 : Drive to Saga. Overnight
in camp
Day 40 : Drive to Paiko Tso. Overnight
in camp.
Day 41 : Drive to Zangmu. (2350m).
Overnight in hotel.
Day 42 : Drive to Kathmandu. Transfer
to hotel.
Day 43-44 : Stay in Kathmandu
Day 45 : Departure from Kathmandu.
