Situated south of Na in the upper Rolwaling area, Ramdung,
also called Ramdung Go, is one of a cluster of peaks around the Yalung
La (5,310m), a pass giving access to the upper Rolwaling from the south,
via the
Khare Khola. The peaks in the area were first explored by Scottish Himalayan
expedition, led by Bill Murray in 1952, when three of the peaks near
the pass, Yalung Ri (5,630m), Chhugyima Go (6,259m), and Ramdung were
climbed. In 1955 the peak had its second ascent by members of the Merseyside
expedition. Since then Ramdung has been climbed numerous times does
an ideal summit for groups want to trek and climb in the still little
visited Rolwaling Himal area. Although the mountain, by it normal route
of ascent, is straightforward, its virtues lie in its magnificent position
and splendid summit panorama that ranges from Langtang to Everest and
provides a splendid view of Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar.
The Climb: Northeast Face from the Yalung La
Despite the fact that the peak is not very high the approach from Na
covers a good distance and most parties require two high camps for the
ascent. Camp 1 is set up around 4,900 meters below the Yalung La. Climbing
towards the pass and the snow Camp 2 is placed on the broad glacier
slopes east of the pass. Ascend the slopes of the Ramdung Glacier southwest
of the subsidiary peak onto a saddle at the junction with the Yalung
Glacier (5,650m). From here it takes about 4 and half hour climb to
the top depending on snow conditions.
The Rolwalling Trek
The trek through Rolwaling has everything that trekking in the Himalayas
has to offer. The trek starts from Lamusangu or Charikot and initially
goes through the lower valleys flanked by terraced fields, farmhouses
and forested slopes. The Higher valleys of Rolwaling are inhabited by
the Sherpa people who cultivate maize, barley, potatoes and graze their
yaks herds in the higher valleys below the snow capped peaks. Above
the villages of Beding and Na the route comes to the glaciated valleys
where lines glacial lakes like Tso Rolpa. After the ascent of Ramdung
trekkers can cross the Tesi Lapcha pass (5,755m) to Namche Bazaar on
the Everest Base Camp route. From Namche one can take a side trip to
Everest Base Camp or trek directly to Lukla and catch a plane for Kathmandu.
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