Rolwaling Himal

Rolwāling Himāl (Nepali: रोल्वालिङ् हिमाल) is a section of the Himalaya in east-central Nepal along the Tibet border. ^[1] Rolwaling Himal includes Melungtse 7181m and Melungtse II 7023m inside Tibet and Gauri Shankar 7134m on the Nepal border with some 50 additional peaks over 6000m, all extending from the Nangpa La pass where the Mahalangur section begins, southwest to the Tamakosi River. The Labuche Himal section rises beyond the Tamakosi to the northwest. Rolwaling Himal is bounded on the south by the Rolwaling Valley which contain several small villages, and Beding the largest town in the area. Access to the valley and the mountains of the range is made on foot through an established trail system starting at Charikot (80 km east of Kathmandu). A western style trek from Charikot to Beding will normally take seven to ten days.

The first western exploration of the area was made by Eric Shipton in 1951 during the reconnaissance of Mount Everest.^{[citation needed]}

A very fine but strenuous camping-style expedition can be made through the Rolwaling Himal to cross the Teshi Lapcha La (5755m) and into the Solu Khumbu. The trek must be properly equipped for extensive snow and ice work, with at least one climbing Sherpa in the party. The net result will be very rewarding in terms of cultural exposure and visual drama. Even though you may not intend to climb the mountain, a climbing Permit will be required for Patchamo (beside the Teshi Lapcha) to allow access to the upper part of the valley beyond the Tsho Rolpa. The fee is fully refundable upon return to Kathmandu when you declare that every bit of kit you took into the area has been brought out with you. You will also require a trekking permit for the Everest National Park for the return part of the journey.

The preferred approach is to walk in from the bus terminus at Dolakha (near Charikot), about 7 hours from Kathmandu. The trail is very well defined and used by porters and shepherds going up to the summer kharkas or grazing pastures at Beding. There was a customs check at Jagat where the climbing permit was vaguely inspected. The last habitation is at Na (4180m). From here on in it can and will snow at any time so patience is required )which also will help with the essential acclimatisation). The Tsho Rolpa is an awesome ice lake held back by terminal moraine. The unmarked route goes along the Trakarding Glacier, then climbs steeply up onto the Drolambau Glacier. The scenery is tremendous every inch of the way!On the east side of the glacier is a range of mountains well over 6000m. The Teshi Lapcha La goes through these mountains by the footslopes of Patchamo. The descent on the other side is steep and very rough through boulder fields.Sometimes the trail is difficult to find until you reach Thyangbo Kharka, a very lonely dwelling on the route to Thame, and thence on to Namche Bazaar. From Kathmandu, over the Teshi Lapcha and down to Lukla airstrip took 18 days, before the interminable wait for a flight back to Kathmandu. It is possible to reverse the route but the climb up to the pass from the Solu Khumbu is very steep and long. The essential acclimatisation days in this wild terrain would be uncomfortable and frustrating and higher up, there is danger from falling rocks loosed off by the sun as it works its way around.

If mountain passes are not your thing a much less ambitious but still very rewarding trek would be up to the Tsho Rolpa. Climbing permit not required.

See also

• Mountain ranges
• Geography of China
• Geography of Nepal
• Himalaya

Coordinates: 27°57′N 86°20′E / 27.950°N 86.333°E / 27.950; 86.333