Chulu West Peak Climbing

Chulu West and Chulu Central are best accessed from a base camp situated in a small valley north of Manang off the main trail to the Thorong La. Some of the best views of these peaks can be had from that pass. When climbing these peaks, be prepared for steep scree to col a 4,900 m. North of the col ascend snow slopes for 200 meters to a rock band at 5,100 m. Climb this difficult rock band to 5,450 m., cross onto a snow plateau at 5,530m. and follow the progressively narrowing ridge to the summit (Chulu West).

Chulu West peak is part of the Manang Himal, which is quite rightly included in the larger Damodar Himal, the eastern limit of which runs south from Chako and Peak 6687 in a north-to-south direction along the Hunlung Khola, Nar Khola and Phu Khola. To the south it is bounded by the Marsyangdi Khola and the Mesokanta La. There exists considerable confusion with regard to the name and location of the Chulu peaks and what summit actually constitutes Chulu West and Chulu East, since it is soon becomes apparent to anyone that has climbed in the range that several other summits close by, which are actually part of the Chulu massif, are not indicated on present maps of the area. For the sake of clarification, four summits can be included in the Chulu group, two of which are possible on the permit for Chulu West and two on the Chulu East permit. What is apparent is that the available trekking map is highly misleading. A climb of one or both of these peaks combined with Nepal 's most famous Around the Annapurna trek make up for one of the most spectacular Himalayan trekking and climbing outings.