Overview
About yala peak climbing;
Yala Peak, at an elevation of 5550 m, is the perfect introduction to Himalayan peak climbing, a safe way to have an authentic alpine peak experience, even for those without any previous climbing experience. Any physically fit person can safely summit Yala Peak. The final scramble to the summit is relatively straightforward and only an additional 700 meters. Yala Peak, the smallest of all the trekking peaks in Nepal, can be done in the shortest time while still at a pace to allow proper acclimatization.
Yala peak climbing trip facts;
Yala Peak is located in the Langtang Region of Nepal, about 75 kilometers north of Kathmandu. It is a non-technical peak that can be climbed by hikers with moderate experience. The summit of Yala Peak is at an altitude of 5,500 meters (18,045 feet), and it offers stunning views of the Langtang Valley, the Ganesh Himal, and Shishapangma, the highest mountain in Tibet.
Yala peak climbing route;
The yala peak climbing trail starts at Syabrubensi (1505m), after a spectacular 9-hour drive that follows the winding Trishuli River gorge. The trek begins in sub-tropical forests, but as it climbs higher into the Langtang Valley, the woods grow thinner, and the valley widens. Approaching Langtang Village (3300m), on the second day, there are great views of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Lenpo Gang (7083m), Dorje Lakpa (6990m) and even the mighty Shishapangma (8013m) which is Tibet's only 8000+ meter mountains.On the 5th day, reaches the last settlement on the trail, Kyanjin Gompa (3970m), the site of an ancient Buddhist monastery. There are many chortens by the path, and walking with them to our right is the custom. Spending an extra day to acclimatize allows us to explore the Langshisa glacier or climb to Kyanjin Ri (4350m) for more amazing views of the snow-capped mountains.
Yala peak climbing summit day;
The trail to Yala Peak Base Camp (4800m) is relatively easy, and beautiful views are always on the way. From just above base camp, we can see the rocky south face of Yala Peak and the Yala Glacier on the southwest face. FromBase Camp, we make our pitch for the summit which is more difficult if there is snow. The trail ascends to a rock ridge and then drops and ascends steeply on boulders. There is a flat area before the final 40m vertical snow/rock cliff leading to the narrow summit ridge. To celebrate our achievement, we attach our new prayer flags to the summit pole, which is covered with flags and banners from past expeditions. The view from the summit is simply amazing. We can see Langtang Lirung to the west, Yansa Tsenji (6500m), a mountain on the Nepal-Tibet border, Shishapangma in Tibet, Morimoto Peak (6750m), and Langshisa Ri (6800m) to the east.When we start our careful descent to Kyanjin Gompa, the Yala Glacier will groan in the sun's heat.
Best time to climb yala peak climbing;
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the perfect times to visit Nepal or enjoy the weather. The weather remains calm and pleasant, which offers the ideal time for climbing and trekking around the country when it is neither too hot nor too cold, making climbing more comfortable. Spring (March-May): During this season, you can see a wide variety of blooming flowers, such as the national flower of Nepal (Rhododendron) and other wildflowers throughout the trail. In this particular season, the country attracts a large number of tourists. This season comes after winter and ends, leading to monsoon.
Autumn (September- November): Autumn is the best season for trekking in Nepal around the year. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit Nepal, as summer monsoons clear the surroundings and enjoy the magnificent view of mountains and blue sky. During the autumn months, the weather remains pleasant, not much affected by the cold.
Yala peak climbing difficulty level ;
Climbing Yala Peak is rated as Grade F on the Himalayan Index, meaning it is a "non-technical" and simple climb. It is also considered one of the most accessible peaks to climb in Nepal, with no special mountaineering skills or experiences required. The real challenges are the altitude and the weather. Therefore proper acclimatization and preparations are needed to summit Yala Peak without problems.
Permits required for yala peak climbing;
Unlike other peaks of the Everest region, Yala Peak Climbing can be mounted without a climber's permit. However, we need to pay for the permits and TIMS for our entry to Langtang National Park. The government of Nepal imposes US$ 30 per person as a permit cost for the Langtang National Park and US$ 10 per person as a TIMS fee.
Travel insurance for yala peak climbing;
To must be adequately protected in terms of insurance. You will need special travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. We recommend a complete travel insurance policy that covers cancellation, lost baggage, theft, injury, liability, medical treatment, death and expenses. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal including trekking and climbing.
If a client requires medical treatment, all hospital expenses, including doctors fees and repatriation costs, are the clients responsibility.
If you are injured and unable to walk in a remote area, a helicopter rescue will be arranged. Annapurna foothills Treks has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. We will pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Before leaving on the expedition, we will make sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism otherwise you may have a difficult time settling the large claim.
Food, water and accommodation during yala peak climbing;
We suggest that you drink boiled water or bring chlorine tablets to purify the normal water available in the guest houses along the way. There is a small fee charged for the boiled water. Several guesthouses have Euro-guard filters. Although mineral water is available in most places, there is no provision to dispose of the plastic bottles, so we encourage the guests to do what they can to protect the environment.
When travelling in remote mountain regions, uncertainties such as weather, health problems and natural disasters require a certain amount of flexibility. While our goal is to follow the itinerary, that is not our first priority; your safety is always our first priority. Yala peak Expeditions request your cooperation to accept the decisions and advice of our trusted and experienced guides if they deem it necessary to change or cancel any part of the itinerary due to safety concerns.
We should also plan for few extra days as bad weather may affect the designed schedule. This doesnt guarantee the successful ascent but often avoids the disappointment of a cloudy summit day.
Yala peak climbing packing list;
Synthetic insulated paint
Shell jacket (which you can put on top of the down jacket while climbing)
Insulated snow pant
Thick climbing shocks
Snow goggle
Climbing harness
Climbing helmet
Gaiters
Mountaineering gloves