Thorong La

Saddle just below the Thorong La at about 5250 m

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The Thorong La ( also Thorung La or Throng La, German " Donner Pass " ) is a high mountain pass ( 5416 m) in the Damodar Himal north of Annapurnakette in Nepal.

The Thorong La is often perpetrated by both locals and trekkers, since it is relatively lightweight link between the two main valleys of Annapurnagebietes. One usually about two to three weeks long lasting Trek particular importance to him is as geographically the highest point of the Annapurna circumnavigation, the Annapurna Circuit, the Annapurna chain, which is one of the most beautiful and diverse trekking routes in the world.

The best times of the pass - crossing are: from late March until well into May, and in the high season from about mid -September until the end of November. At other times, you have to concentrate more on adversity such as fog, deep snow ( avalanches) and extreme cold set. Depending on weather conditions the previous pass can ( almost ) be free of snow and easy to cross; other hand, during an attempt, the pass to cross in bad conditions, already frostbite and worse.

Die each year in this pass both trekkers and Nepalese carrier - mainly due to the acute altitude sickness, which resulted almost exclusively from poor acclimatization. Due to the better Akklimatisierungsmöglichkeiten or the corresponding high-level fixed overnight accommodation exceeding the passport is done much more frequently from east to west than vice versa. An ascent of the west side, ie from the Kali Gandaki Valley is due to the greater height difference between the fixed nightly Places in Muktinath less advisable to about 3800 m and the pass. A good acclimatization is therefore for someone who wants to make the Annapurna circumnavigation in the typical time significantly better guarantees from the east.

The base camp (actually quite a small village ) on the east side of the pass Thorong Phedi is called and is located at about 4050 m. From there you need to Thorong Phedi High Camp with the last place to stay for about an hour ( about 350 meters altitude). A well acclimatized trekkers finally needed to travel from Thorong Phedi High Camp to the pass between three and five hours ( about 950 meters altitude). It is possible, in Thorong Phedi to Muktinath or a carrier or a horse to hire up to the pass. For the descent from the pass to Muktinath is required - depending on the Condition of the path - between three and five hours. Back in November, and up into March, the Thorong La be icy in some places, so gentle walking is particularly necessary in the descent.

Above the Thorong Phedi High Camp is located about 5000 meters above sea level a seasonal primitive teahouse, another tiny hut exists directly on the pass. Both can not or only in an emergency to stay.

It should be emphasized that the crossing of the Thorong La, under normal weather conditions is technically harmless (you must never attack the rock ). The only realistic objective danger lies at the crossing of a 50 m wide rockfall area about an hour before Thorong Phedi ( the Talstützpunkt on the east side ) to about 4000 m.