In this article, we’ll explore the remarkable experiences of traversing the Khumbu and Ngozumpa Glaciers in the heart of the Himalayas. These two glaciers are crucial in some of the world’s most famous trekking routes, including the path to Everest Base Camp.
Understanding Glaciers:
Before delving into our adventure, let’s take a moment to understand what glaciers are. Glaciers, often referred to as “হিমবাহ” or “তুষারনদী” in Bengali, are massive ice formations that accumulate at high altitudes in mountainous regions. These glaciers form as snow accumulates, gradually compacting into immense ice structures that flow downhill like a slow-moving river.
The “Khumbu” glacier, situated at the highest point on Earth, has a movement rate of about 1 meter per day, while the fastest-moving glacier in the world, Jakobshavn Isbrae, in Greenland, moves at an astonishing rate of 40 meters per day. It’s important to note that while crossing glaciers, trekkers often encounter rocky terrain, creating a challenging and ever-changing environment. The “Khumbu icefall” of Mount Everest feeds into the “Khumbu glacier,” illustrating the geological instability of glaciers. Paths can disappear overnight due to shifting ice and snow, turning the glacier into a maze.
Safety Tips for Glacier Crossing: Ngozumpa Glaciers
- Crossing glaciers presents inherent risks, especially for solo trekkers. Traveling in a group can increase your chances of finding the way or following someone who knows the path.
- If you’re trekking alone, consider hiring a local guide or porter who can navigate the terrain or create a new route if needed. In Nepal, it’s easy to hire a guide or porter for a day or two from any village along your trek, typically costing between 3000-5000 Nepalese Rupees per day.
- It is good to say that after Dole, you will not find any SIM network in any village until Lobuche. Only Everest Link cards can be bought at these places. 1GB of internet with 48 hours of validity at an 800 rupee price, which is fixed
- If you ever get lost on a glacier, avoid venturing further without backtracking. Instead, return to your last known location. Local residents from glacier-adjacent villages are invaluable in guiding lost trekkers back to the trail. This is a vital survival technique when navigating these stunning yet unpredictable frozen landscapes.
Our Glacier Trekking Experience:
The Ngozumpa Glaciers:
During our off-season Thrilling Trek, we embarked on the Gokyo route with no other trekkers. The journey involved a steep ascent before reaching the Ngozumpa Glaciers. Here, you must tread carefully on a smooth path; one slip could lead to a perilous fall into a deep crevasse. The glacier’s surface is covered with rocks resembling dry, fine sand, making it a challenging terrain. For the first time in my life, Thrilling Trek felt like being on the glacier.
I had traveled to a different planet! Although there were plenty of paths, after going a bit further, we discovered that the route we had taken had vanished under a river of snow. So, we tried to follow the new footprints; perhaps someone had recently used this route. However, even that was not the right choice because you never know whether the footsteps you’re following led the person to their destination. But anyway, jokes apart!
Our luck was somewhat on our side that day because two local people were heading towards Thangnak, so we decided to follow them. After successfully crossing the glacier, there is a slight uphill climb to reach the other side. Then, there is a small valley until Thangnak, which takes 20–30 minutes to cross.
The Khumbu Glacier:
On the 11th day of our Thrilling Trek, we set off from Lobuche to Gorakshep, where we had to cross the Khumbu Glacier, home to Everest Base Camp. Glaciers are decreasing due to global warming, and a new base camp has been established near Gorakshep (5,200m). Despite this, many trekkers still prefer the old Base Camp (5,364m) due to its breathtaking views. The 4.5-kilometer journey from Lobuche to Gorakshep takes about 4-5 hours. On the same day, trekkers continue to the old base camp.
After leaving Lobuche and heading towards the glacier, the path was quite beautiful and mostly well-defined. Moreover, on this day, as we were making our way toward the Everest Base Camp, we encountered numerous trekkers along with their guides and porters on the trail. They were very helpful. The route we were crossing was part of the Khumbu Glacier, which is actually a large branch of the main Khumbu Glacier. The glacier path was also well-defined, and we followed other trekkers to find the way.
In my opinion, it was a comparatively comfortable route compared to others. Most of the paths were well-defined, and we encountered no significant problems along the way. In my opinion, it was a comparatively comfortable route compared to others. Most of the paths were well-defined, and we encountered no significant problems along the way.
The Terrifying Return:
The 12th day marked our return from Gorakshep to Pheriche. It was a Thrilling Trek, an experience we’ll never forget. Our path disappeared before our eyes, leaving us in a precarious situation. Even the route we had taken the day before was gone. It was a nail-biting experience, with a fellow Indian trekker and their guide facing the same predicament. They took different paths before rejoining the original route.
By following these tips and being prepared for the Surprise, you can have a safe and awe-inspiring glacier trekking experience in the Himalayas. For our trekking videos, please follow Mellow’s Life on YouTube.
When you book your Ngozumpa Glaciers trek with Alpine Ramble Treks, you'll receive a 5% discount.
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