October 11, 2018
Eric Simonson checked in from Pethang after a great day of trekking. From Joksum (or Shalung), the ridge over the valley can be reached in half hour. From here there are clear views right up the Khangsung valley. The views of Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Phetangtse, Chomolonzo and Makalu and myriad other peaks are great.
Turning West towards Langma La (Eric Simonson)
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- Everest and Lhotse (Eric Simonson)
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- Kangshung Face of Mount Everest (Eric Simonson)
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- Eric and Anthony with the Kangshung Face (Eric Simonson)
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- Karma Tsangpo River, the headwaters of the Arun River heading into Nepal (Eric Simonson)
From this ridge, the trail descends rather steeply down into the Kama River coming down from the Langma La pass. After wading across the river (the bridge has been swept away by the monsoon floods), the trail enters the Khangsung Valley. A wide valley drained by the Khangsung stream that the receding glacier has left behind with wide undulating hillocks now covered by a thick growth of willow, rhododendron, juniper and other shrubs.
Camp is made at the meadow called Pethang (14,200 ft) about an hour’s walk (gently uphill) from the stream crossing.
Greg Vernovage