Crossing Mirgin La

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Crossing Mirgin La

These pictures are from a long day of crossing of a series of passes between Kanchenjunga's south and north valleys. The day begins with a steep ascent and ends with an even steeper descent into the village of Ghunsa. Great views in all directions and lots of snow too.

The outside of my boots got wet from the melting snow on the previous day. During the night at Tseram that turned into a firm crust of ice ;-)
Early start from Tseram (3886 m)
Climbing the first pass on the way to Ghunsa. The little "smoking" mountain left in the background is Kanchenjunga. In the middle are Kabru and Rathong. A couple of Tseram's lodges can be seen down to the right.
Climbing Sele La on the way to Ghunsa. The moon is still up early in the morning.
Up on the trail to Sele La
Our porters on the trail to Sele La
Climbing towards Sele La. Left on the horizon are Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Rathong.
One of our younger porters - Suresh - resting
Mighty Kabru (7412 m) and Rathong (6682 m) with Yalung Glacier below them. The top of Kanchenjunga can be seen on the far left side of the picture.
It is steep... but fun ;-)
Prayer flags strung across one of the steeper sections of the trail. Sele La is very close.
Almost at the pass. Behind are Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Rathong.
Kangla Kang (5562 m) on the Nepal-Indian border and Yamghacha Khola valley below
Posing at Sele La (4720 m) on the way to Ghunsa
Our sherpa Ang Phuri posing at Sele La (4720 m) on the way to Ghunsa. Behind him in the haze are the lower mountains that we had to navigate in the first 5 days of the trek.
Arriving at Sele La (4720 m). On the horizon are Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Rathong and Kokthang - all on the border with India.
Taking pictures at Sele La (4720 m)
Arriving at Sele La (4720 m) with Kanchenjunga South, Kabru and Rathong behind
Arriving at Sele La (4720 m) with Kanchenjunga South, Kabru and Rathong behind
Traversing north towards Sinelapche La
Traversing north towards Sinelapche La
Sinelapche La (4645 m)
Tenzing arriving at Sinelapche La (4645 m)
Looking north-west from Sinelapche La (4645 m). Mt. Makalu is hidden in the clouds.
Looking north-west from Sinelapche La (4645 m). Hidden in the clouds must be the base of Mt. Makalu.
Traversing north towards Mirgin La
Traversing north towards Mirgin La. The snow got deeper here.
Traversing north towards Mirgin La. The snow got deeper here.
Traversing north towards Mirgin La
At Mirgin La (4645 m)
Descending north-east from Mirgin La (4645 m). Mt. Jannu (7710 m) should be seen from here but the clouds did not cooperate when we got to the pass.
Selele camp (4130 m). It was foggy and cold and damp when we arrived. Also the lodges were closed so we just kept going 3 more hours down to Ghunsa.
A selfie close to Ghunsa after almost 12 hours of walking
Arriving at Ghunsa in the early evening. Notice that there is no trace of snow there... yet ;-)