The Highest of the Three Passes
Kongma La (5,535m) is the highest and least trekked of the passes. It connects Chhukung with Lobuche. It skips the crowds of Dingboche and drops you right onto the Khumbu Glacier near Everest Base Camp.
There are no lodges on this route. You must carry packed lunch and plenty of water. It is a long, lonely day. This isolation is rare in the Everest trekking region.
It is steep and relentless. The views of Makalu and Lhotse from the top are unmatched. You feel like you are on a climbing expedition, not a trek.
The descent involves crossing the chaotic Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche. The path changes constantly. Following cairns is vital. It is the final test before joining the main Mount Everest expedition trail.
If you want to prove your fitness and avoid the 'tourist trail', Kongma La is the answer.
