Dingboche to Chhukhung, 3 Passes Trek, Everest Region, Nepal

Heading to Chhukhung (4730) from Dingboche (4410) we will finally lose the trekkers headed to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and the yak trains carrying supplies, making for calmer trail conditions. The views along this alternate route, however, continue to amaze.

The morning started clear but early on there were high thin clouds streaking over the brilliant blue background. Around the peaks hung the lenticular (flying saucer) clouds that often indicate high winds aloft and changing weather.

The trail is finally the gradual climb friends told me the trek would be. It’s funny how quickly people forget the hard climbs and recount only the incredible views. Now that most of the EBC trekkers have headed north the trail is relatively peaceful. We take our time as there is no longer a need to hurry past large groups of trekkers or yak trains.

The track continues east up the river valley. During the morning the high clouds dissipated leaving some clouds around the peaks but on whole a beautiful morning. At a leisurely pace it took about 2 hours to reach Chhukhung.

Arriving at the Khangri Resort around 10 we ate some noodles and headed up the hill for stage 2 of the day. After the steep climb yesterday we wanted a more moderate route today. At 5030m the first viewpoint of the Chhukhung Ri trek offers stunning views without the nose bleed climb to the top.

While some sections are steep it didn’t seem as vertical as the Pokalde foothills route out of Dingboche the day before, and we reached the top around noon. One of the most impressive panoramas of the trip – the view spans from Nupste to the north along the Lhotse glacier to Ama Dablum to the south and down the valley from which we came. Tabuche peaks over the hill behind you. If you want more of a challenge the trail continues another 500 meters up to Chhukhung Ri, the summit.