Kangchenjunga North and South Base Camps Nepal - Part II by Ashesh Ambasta

 

9/11/2024: on Selele La (4,480m), the first of the three passes enroute to Tseram. 
From left to right: Back row: Deepak, Ashesh, Pravin, Daniel & Purno;  Front row: Bhuvan & Bhakto

Ashesh Ambasta is a seasoned trekker and photographer who has done a number of treks with South Col Expeditions.  In late October and November 2024, Praveen Gupta, Deepak Chandnani, Daniel Bayer and Ashesh trekked to both the north and south base camps of Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, from the Nepal side. In this evocative account with wonderful images Ashesh shares  their experience of this outstanding trek still relatively unspoilt. 

The first part of his journey to the north base camp Pangpems  is documented here   https://sujoyrdas.blogspot.com/2025/05/kangchenjunga-north-and-south-base.html

Here is the second and final  part to the south base camp  Kangchenjunga, Oktang. 

For more photos of the trek do visit https://photos.app.goo.gl/QPHbCH7XxFn9Q29d8

The other side of Kanchenjunga from Oktang

8/11/24: Selele (4,250m): The camp site is ideally located in a bowl, surrounded by hills on three sides. A small stream cuts through the campsite. Today, there was bright sun and no wind, both welcome from the coldness of Lhonak and Ghunsa.

Kangchenjunga North and South Base Camps Nepal - Part I by Ashesh Ambasta

6/11/24: On the slopes of  Drohmo Ri  at 5,281m):  It was thrilling to track the route taken by Pete Boardman, Joe Tasker, and Doug Scott who had made a successful bid in 1979. Here, I've traced the West Wall going up to the North Col (the site of Camp 3), the North Ridge leading to the “Croissant” and further up, to the “Pinnacles”, and the final push to the Summit.

Ashesh Ambasta is a seasoned trekker and photographer who has done a number of treks with South Col Expeditions.  In late October and November 2024, Praveen Gupta, Deepak Chandnani, Daniel Bayer and Ashesh trekked to both the north and south base camps of Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, from the Nepal side. In this evocative account with wonderful images Ashesh shares  their experience of this outstanding trek still relatively unspoilt. The first part of  their journey to the north base camp Pangpema  is documented here.

 For more photos of this trek do visit     https://photos.ap .goo.gl/QPHbCH7XxFn9Q29d8

28^th October – 14^th November 2024

For those accustomed to the relative comforts of the Everest and Annapurna circuits, be warned.  The lodges are rudimentary at best and, in places, downright crummy. The food is largely basic and passable.  And, if you plan to cover both the North and South base camps, as we did, it’s a long grind of about 18 days through steep ascents and descents at high altitudes.  But, if you love the peace and tranquillity of the mountains and detest hordes of trekkers jostling you on the trail, all this pales into insignificance.  The sheer grandeur of the peaks that tower over you at the two base camps and the breath-taking panorama on the approach marches are incomparable.  I have done countless treks in Nepal, but this easily stands out as among the best for the beauty, magnificence, and diversity of the terrain.