Tashi Labsta pass (5755m) Rolwaling to Everest traverse │ Great Himalaya Trail

Introduction

This adventurous trek is not for the fainthearted. Tashi Labsta pass is a difficult climbing pass at high altitude. But the rewards are overwhelming. The remote Rolwaling Valley inhabited by the Sherpa, the glacier lake of Tsho Rolpa and the Tashi Labsta pass make the effort all worthwhile.

Tashi Labsta Pass Overview

Your Tashi Labsta pass adventure starts with a day’s drive to Jagat through the foothills of the Himalayas. To Simigoan, you will hike along the Tama Khosi River. From Simigoan, you will have a beautiful view of the Gaurishankar mountain. After Simigoan, the trek passes through a thick forest of rhododendron, oak and pine.

Dongang is a small settlement in the middle of a forest with a few farmhouses. Right after Dongang, you will cross the Rolwaling Khola river. Then, hiking and climbing through the forest, passing by small local farm settlements. Beding is the biggest village in the Rolwaling Valley, set in a gorge along the river. The village houses, an ancient Gompa and a local school are supported by the Himalaya Trust of Edmund Hillary.

Towards Na Goan, you will start to feel the high altitude. The trek climbs into a wide glacial valley with far views into the valley. Here you can see the snowcapped peaks of Ramdung Go 5925m,  Chukyima go 6259m and Yalung Ri 5630m. At Na Goan, an acclimatizing day, which you can use for local exploration of the local village and the surrounding area.

After crossing the river, you will pass by a few places where local cattle herders. Then a climb upon moraines towards Tsho Rolpa Lake. The reward of the moraine walk is a beautiful campsite along the shore with views of the surrounding Himalaya peaks.

From Tsho Rolpa, you will climb upon the hard rocky Drolambu glacier. Along this trail, you have the danger of rock falls. On the Drolambu Glacier, you will camp on a flat part of the glacier in total remote wilderness. From the glacier, the longest and toughest day of the trek starts early in the morning. The climbing Sherpa will fix ropes for you and the porter crew. The climb is not extremely technical or severely difficult, but the ropes are a precaution for your safety.

You will slowly make your way to the Tashi Labsta pass with crampons and an ice axe. After approximately 4 hours, you will reach the pass. Of course, the high Tashi Labsta pass is marked with Buddhist prayer flags. The panoramic views are stunning.

From the pass, you look into the Khumbu region, and downhill, you can see a path leading into the valley towards the teahouse of Thyango Kharka. From Thyangbo Kharka, it is a long descent down an easy trail to Thame. In Thame, you will notice you are accompanied by more tourists in the Everest region.

In Namche Bazaar, it is, compared to the past weeks, hectic. But also nice to take a rest and relax in this Sherpa capital. In Lukla, your adventurous Tashi Labsta pass trek ends, and you will fly back to Kathmandu.