Climb Yala Peak, 5500m

This is a fantastic two week adventure trekking through the Langtang National Park in Nepal culminating in an ascent of the relatively non-technical 5500 metre high Yala Peak which close to the Tibetan border and north-east of Kyangin Gompa (3870m).

The mountain can be climbed in three days from the Gompa with using a high base camp (Yala Kharka) at 4800m and a spare weather day, and it provides a vantage point from where the 8013m peak of Shishapangma can be seen. Yala involves some scrambling on rock and the travelling on snow which can be soft or hard according to conditions. Crampons and a walking axe are necessary, as is a helmet in case of a fall or slip, and we also recommend a harness and sling in case the guide needs to help someone down.

This webpage provides a virtual 360 view from the top of Yala Peak with all the names and heights of the surrounding peaks. For an interactive 3D flythrough of the mountain and the Langtang Valley, click on this FatMap page. There's also a nice video of the Langtang trek and Yala summit on this youtube page.

A small summit which is not difficult, mixed snow and rock, requiring scrambling mostly.

FatMap showing the top end of the Langtang Valley with Kyanjin gompa, and the campsite at Yala Kharka and then peak itself.

YALA PEAK ITINERARY SUMMARY

Getting to Langtang is a seven hour road journey from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi which is at the start of the Valley. From there we take five days hiking up the valley which is necessary for acclimatisation and then a further hike to the base camp and an early start to climb to the summit and get back down again safely in daylight hours. 

• Arrival & Preparations in Kathmandu, drive to trek start (days 1-3)
• Trekking up the Langtang valley (days 4-8)
• Climb Yala Peak (days 9-11)
• Trek back down Langtang valley & drive to Kathmandu (days 12-15)
• Depart Kathmandu (day 16)

Note: you can also do a 3 day Yala Peak add-on to the Langtang Trek & Heritage Trail which incorporates a circular trail within the trek and is slightly longer at 18 days.

CLIMBING YALA PEAK

The approach trek is straight forward with beautiful scenery and the climb itself will allow you to learn new skills. Yala Peak is not technically demanding but it is high at 5500m which you will feel the lower levels of oxygen and the extra energy being used up, and you are of course open to the elements. You need to take care of your hydration and maintain a slow manageable pace. 

During the trek section we will practise to ensure that you are comfortable moving on a man rope, clipping in and maintaining an efficient pace and a safe line. You will also be familiar with walking on crampons and being able to self arrest with your walking axe.

From the summit the panoramic views include Langtang Lirung (7,246m/ 23,773ft), Dorje Lakpa (6,990m/ 22,933ft), Gangchempo (6,388m/ 20,985ft) and Sishapangma (8,027m/ 26,335ft).

YALA PEAK MAP

Click the map above for a larger version

TERRAIN ON THE TREK AND CLIMB OF YALA PEAK

Our trek heads north east from Dhunche and follows The Langtang Valley. The terrain is mountainous but not precipitous, with forest, terraced hill slopes and valley hikes leading to high pastures and eventually the moraine of the glaciers and the peaks. The route passes through settlements and villages, although this is a less populated and visited region than Khumbu or Annapurna. Underfoot we have well-trodden paths which at times can be rocky, slippy if wet and occasionally uneven in parts. Our itinerary allows for really good acclimatisation with an ascent of Tserko Ri and dropping again in altitude prior to our climb of Yala Peak. The trek is simply on foot in front of the other with no tricky or challenging sections. It does of course undulate, it is the Himalayas after all but doesn't have any loft heights or technical requirements.

Once on the mountain itself there will be scrambling at times on quite loose rock to below the snow line. Once on the snow the route can vary depending on local conditions and if required you will be roped up in groups of three or four. The terrain is not difficult but it does require care and alertness. The route is normally well marked, and groups tend to follow a similar 'path'. The terrain requires no technical climbing, but you will need to use winter skills and equipment (axe, crampon) when on the snow and you have lot's of time to learn and practice these skills on the trek during rest days and at Yala Peak base camp. 

YALA PEAK ALTITUDE PROFILE

Click image above for larger image

ACCOMMODATION ON THE YALA PEAK CLIMB / TREK

Accommodation on the trek, before and after the climb of Yala Peak, is in comfortable lodges run by local families, unless people specify a preference for tents. Each lodge has a central communal area with stove, while the bedrooms are unheated with two beds and mattresses, blanket and pillows. You will need to bring a sleeping bag. The lodges generally have showers which are powered by gas and some use the infamous ‘drop’ toilets, though most now have flush systems now. 

Food on the trek is very good quality, and a mixture of local Nepali food and western recipes. The local Dal Bhat or Momos are an excellent choice and burgers & chips are also a common meal. You will find everything from beer to batteries to Mars bars available in the lodges and local shops along the trail a Nepal price guide can be found here. 

At Yala Peak base camp we will be in mountain tents usually sleeping two persons per tent. You should bring a 3 season sleeping bag and also a good quality sleeping mat. For lower down you may wish to use a sleeping bag liner to sleep in an open zipped 3 season bag, so that you don't get too hot.

EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR YALA PEAK

Yala Peak is an excellent starting point for Himalayan climbing without going about 6000m. It is also a good challenge for people who haven't been to altitude before as the ascent is gradual. For the peak itself previous winter walking / mountaineering skills such as using a walking axe and crampons is a bonus, but is not essential as the guides will offer training whilst you're trekking to the peak - you will have time to learn and practice the skills needed such as clipping into a rope and walking safely with the group. 

YALA PEAK SUPPORT TEAM

From your first enquiry and in the build up to your trip you'll have direct access to experienced and professional guides and climbers for advice or to ask questions. Then, on arrival in Nepal, you'll meet Tsering, our operations manager in Kathmandu who organises all the staff, equipment, permits and hotel arrangements. He is also the main link between you and the UK office when you are in Nepal. 

Tsering will introduce you to your trek and climb guide at the briefing in Kathmandu and will also talk to the guide regularly whilst you are on the trek / climb when signal is available. He can also make arrangements while you are on the trek. You also have continued support from the main office in the UK. In the Khumbu region there is an opportunity to communicate since most lodges now have WiFi. We will always try our best to assist with any situation and of course we will provide you with all the advice and support you need prior to this trip. In addition:

• You will travel with our qualified, time proven, guides who not only lead trekking groups but are experienced in high altitude expeditions.
• Porters' health and welfare is constantly monitored by local and UK trekking group leaders.
• All the staff in our UK office have been to Nepal and we are qualified mountain professionals so you can chat to people who understand what it's like to go up for the first time, before you go.
• We provide insurance cover for all of our Sherpa guides and local staff in the event of an accident or need for repatriation.
• Preparation information and support is available to help you plan.
• We advise you to read our advice on altitude health and acclimatising safely. 

The porters will carry your main bag up to a maximum weight of 15 kgs and cater for all the group needs, you will also have your guide and climbing guide with you throughout to ensure you are safe and happy.

You can speak directly with Gavin Bate about your proposed climb of Yala Peak and have the benefit of somebody who has climbed the mountain many times and who will go through the whole expedition from start to finish. In the office you will find friendly and knowledgeable staff who will give you the time to discuss through all your preferences and questions.

Our company is properly insured and financially protected, so that your money is safe and you know you are dealing with a tour operator that is correctly set up to manage and run trips like this.

YALA PEAK EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION

Incidents and accidents are very rare however they can happen and if a person is badly injured or an injury prevents them from walking then helicopter evacuations are the quickest and most common way of dealing with an emergency in Nepal. It is important to have travel insurance in place that covers you for helicopter evacuation if needed. In the event of an emergency the initial job of moving a casualty will be the responsibility of the team itself and the guide and porters. The task will be to move the casualty to the nearest safe place and then to a point where an evacuation can be made. 

If the situation doesn't require immediate evacuation then there are many local clinics for treatment and horses are commonly used for assisting transport if required. The horse owners usually charge around USD$150.00 per day which needs to be paid in cash.

In the case of altitude sickness the best advice is not to take risks and descend which will be fully facilitated by our team. There is plenty of literature on acclimatising safely on our site and our itinerary is designed to give you optimum and safe acclimatisation.

YALA PEAK KIT LIST

• Large duffle bag or rucksack & liner
• 30 Ltr day pack
• Stuff sacks, waterproof, various sizes
• Expedition Jacket, primaloft or down
• Waterproof jacket and trousers, goretex or equivalent (softshell)
• Gaiters
• Trekking trousers and shorts, Tshirts, shirts
• Fleece or woollen tops
• Base layer tops and bottoms
• Thin socks and thick socks
• Warm hat, buff/balaclava, sunhat
• Liner gloves, warm gloves, mitts
• Sunglasses UV polaroid
• Mountaineering boots graded B1 or B2 to accommodate crampons
• Trekking boots and hut shoes
• 3 season sleeping bag (comfort temperature -10C) and compression sack
• Thermarest or thick foam sleeping mat for camping only
• Walking poles
• Head torch & spare batteries
• 2x 1 litre drinks bottles and covers
• Crampons
• Mountaineering harness
• Walking axe & leash
• Climbing slings 2 x 120cm
• Screwgate karabiners x 2
• Wash Kit and first aid, towel

We have a comprehensive list of gear for the trekking peaks of Nepal. 

ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR RENT FROM ADVENTURE ALTERNATIVE (PICK UP IN NEPAL)

Mountaineering Harness
Karabiners and slings
Crampons
Walking Axe
Sleeping bag

Boots for the climb need to be of a type that will allow fitting of crampons. They also need to be warm and fitted well to your feet. For Yala Peak you will need boots graded at least B1 for crampon use. If you are planning on doing more mountaineering in the future on higher or colder routes it may be worth investing in B2 hybrid or B3 rigid Plastic boots both of which will also be suitable. Full 8000m triple boots are not needed for this climb but could be used if you already have them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FOR YALA PEAK

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE LANGTANG REGION AND YALA PEAK?

The Langtang National Park is a protected area where the majority of residents are Tamang and the climatic zones range from subtropical to alpine. The beautiful Langtang Valley contains several glacial lakes including Gosainkunda Lake which is sacred to Hindus, and a number of high peaks including Yala Peak (5732m) which is an achievable goal for fit, high level enthusiasts wishing to ascend a snow-covered non-technical peak.

Langtang remained unknown until Bill Tilman’s expedition in 1949, the same year that the Royal Geographic Society and the Alpine Club asked for permission to explore the south side of Everest; this was refused, but Tilman and Peter Lloyd were allowed into Langtang, where they searched for a way into Tibet. Tilman discovered a pass (still called Tilman’s Pass) beyond Gangchempo leading south through the wild Jugal Himal and back to Kathmandu.

Today, despite the road going up the Trisuli Valley all the way to Dhunche, the valley is still a rarely visited area and retains an air of remoteness and adventure. The Park has similar climatic pattern to Sagamartha National Park, but the subtropical area to the south ensures a wider variety of animals, including musk deer, Himalayan black bears and the Himalyan tahr (a large ungulate), langur monkeys, ghorals, and the rare snow leopard and red pandas. Trees include oak, blue pine, birch, maple and in the springtime the hillsides are heavy with rhododendron flowers.

HOW FIT DO I HAVE TO BE TO CLIMB YALA PEAK?

The walk up the valley is very enjoyable and not difficult, perfect for hikers and walkers. Altitude is obviously something to be mindful of, but the itinerary allows for plenty of rest and acclimatisation. Getting to the base camp will mean possibly crossing the snowline but the ground is not too steep and the campsite is in an excellent location.

From base camp starting up early in the morning the route winds its way up onto the snow slopes which are initially easily angled. The last 700 metres is on steeper ice so we will be using crampons, ice axe and a man rope. Obviously general fitness is a bonus here, because the effort at high altitude is all the more. You will also be carrying a daysack so any training at home is best done with something on your back. The pace needs to be consistent but not excessive, so breathing well is important. Long deep breaths from the diaphragm rather than gasping will enable your body to get the most energy out of the reduced oxygen in the atmosphere. Climbing with a rope at altitude is tiring, but with good teamwork then everyone can get into a good pace that is safe and manageable. 

Do have a read of our various Blogs about treks in Nepal and also the 'More Information' section, both have tabs on this page and will answer every question you may have! We also have a lot of useful information on our Nepal Preparation page.