Island Peak Trek
Photo: Mountaineer, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Island Peak (6,189m), officially known as Imja Tse, is a mountain in the Khumbu (Everest) region in Nepal that's one of the most commonly climbed "trekking peaks" in Nepal. It can be climbed as part of several different trekking itineraries.
UnderstandIsland Peak was originally named by Eric Shipton in 1952 (some sources say 1951) and was so named because it sits in the middle of the upper Chhukhung valley, like an island in the middle of a sea of ice.
PreparePrior experience with rope management and alpine equipment (harnesses, ascenders, crampons, ice axes) is a significant advantage, and the better your general fitness the more you will enjoy the climb.
Get inIn the "old days" people visiting the Everest area would simply trek there from Kathmandu. You'd have lots of time over a couple of weeks to get fit and acclimatize. That's not usually what people do now.
WalkAfter arriving at Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport, the path descends toward the Dudh Koshi, a milky-blue river fed by glaciers.
Stay safeSome medical services are available along the trekking route.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Island Peak Trek" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Mountaineer, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons