There are two peaks of which is one is known as Chulu West and the other as Chulu East. In comparison to these two peaks Chulu West is higher than East. It (Chulu West) lies at an altitude of 6,419m from sea level. This peak is also known as Chulu Central. This peak is enveloped by Annapurna Region in the northern part of Nepal.
Japanese Expedition team was the first to ascended Chulu West Peak in 1952. Climbing Chulu West is not that technical and tough but the slopes in later stages at certain points make the climbing difficult. The base camp of Chulu West is located off the main trail to Thorang La near small valley of Manang.
We trek ahead crossing the plateau and travelling towards Chulu Glacier in east. We ascend the large glacier slopes on the way to Chulu West. The only difficulty of this climbing is that sometime nasty avalanche in certain conditions spoil the climbing.
It is a rewarding climb as you get splendid view of different mountains from the peak of Chulu West especially, the sight of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna l are adorable.
Besisahar is the starting point of Chulu West Climbing. In the initial stage we keep on trekking. The trail follows the same trail of Annapurna Short Circuit. To reach northern part of Annapurna Massif we go through Marshyangdi Valley. Leaving the trail to Annapurna Circuit at Yak-Kharka we proceed towards Chulu West Base Camp. We walk through such trail where there is uninhabited land. We will be spending few nights in the base camp practicing and learning last tips of climbing.
We will arrange one or two high camps at least. Passing through rocky and ice frozen path we proceed towards summit. At the first part of the climbing we take help of fixed ropes. The final portion the climbing is a bit long and slow which makes the climbing a bit tiring and exhausting due to soft snow.
You will enjoy the summit and the spell binding view of vast ocean of ice. Here you realize that you are above the clouds and about to touch sky. You breathe fresh feel refreshed. After spending couple of hours here we get back to lower high camp. From the high camp we proceed towards Thorung Phedi. We cross Thorang La Pass. It is a tough ascend at an altitude of 5,416m. we descend towards deepest gorge of the world—Kali Gandaki Valley.