Nepal 2019 - Day 17 - Dzonghla to Tagnag over Cho La

 Dzonghla to Tagnag over Cho La

The day to cross Cho La was upon me. My handy map offered no fewer warnings than ''cramp-ons recommended, glacier crossing, keep to left, danger of crevasses, rockfall area, slippery patches, Good luck!'' Apparently, in good weather conditions, no special equipment was required and good weather is exactly what I had through this trek. I was carrying my micro-spikes in any case.

I set out just after 06.00, picking up the trail heading northwest just behind the lodge. The morning was cold and crusty frost covered the grass. After a short uphill, the trail curved left along a slope following a wide valley. It eventually lowered into a rocky meadow which led into a valley. Then a steep gravel trail led you over boulders and a river which further climbed onward to a long rock scramble.

I was well aware to not assume that the Pass would be at the top of this scramble after learning this hard lesson at Kongma La. I learnt on this trip that mountains are systems: once you think you gave reached the top, it was not the top at all. It was very similar here as well, a far higher mountain stretching north-westward before me. Looking back at the valley I had just walked up, Ama Dablam was framed perfectly by the valley, rose above the landscape in the distance. 

From there, I walked forward and soon found a field of snow. I inched my way over the rocks along the ridge avoiding the shiny areas of ice and eventually made my way down the snow. I followed the well worn out path to the left side of the glacier. Eventually, the slippery trail through the snow curved around two large boulders to a rock face climbing above and around a small frozen lake and over a sketchy rock scramble and a steep ascent to the top of the pass.

The Cho La (17,774ft) like other passes was covered with cairns and prayer flags. Sunny and beautiful, I sat down for a few mins to enjoy my summit Snickers while I enjoyed the magnificent view.

The descent along the other side was through steep loose gravel and rock, my least favourite terrain. I moved slowly, shuffling my way through the rocks, slipping and sliding on a few occasions. When eventually you get out of this section, there was a quite a bit of boulder hopping until the trail eventually turned to a soft reddish dirt leading up a grassy slope. Soon enough, the trail was all downhill, following the riverside through a narrow gorge into Dragnag, aka Tagnag.

I checked into the first lodge I came across and the toasty dining room was very relaxing. The food was delicious and they gave free popcorn on any order of a beverage. Took a well earned early rest. Just one more pass to go.