A Trek to the World's Highest Unclimbed Mountain with John Roskelley
A few years ago this writer got one of his all-time mountain thrills by being a member of the first group of outsiders ever to make this superb trek to 24,734-foot Gangkhar Puensuum, the highest unclimbed mountain on earth (and likely to remain so; the Bhutanese have declared it inviolate out of respect to its holy character).
In the company of John Roskelley, perhaps the most accomplished American big mountain climber of his, or any other, generation (and a fine, story-telling fellow to boot), we begin in the Bumthangian village of Dhur, the winter home of the yak herders whose elegant migratory path we follow to the great peak. We trek through dense evergreen forests, up into a magnificent green and gold tundra valley, cross the 15,700-foot Thole La, and follow the Chamkar River’s course to its icy beginnings below the stunning south wall of Gangkhar and its satellites. Our president, Jim Sano, who led that first trek with me, calls it “an absolute jewel, with wonderfully varied scenery, from rich forests to soaring alpine vistas. It was one of the finest experiences of my mountain life, made all the more so by the knowledge that we were trekking in the only place on earth where snow leopard and Bengal tiger habitats overlap.
A few years ago this writer got one of his all-time mountain thrills by being a member of the first group of outsiders ever to make this superb trek to 24,734-foot Gangkhar Puensuum, the highest unclimbed mountain on earth (and likely to remain so; the Bhutanese have declared it inviolate out of respect to its holy character).
In the company of John Roskelley, perhaps the most accomplished American big mountain climber of his, or any other, generation (and a fine, story-telling fellow to boot), we begin in the Bumthangian village of Dhur, the winter home of the yak herders whose elegant migratory path we follow to the great peak. We trek through dense evergreen forests, up into a magnificent green and gold tundra valley, cross the 15,700-foot Thole La, and follow the Chamkar River’s course to its icy beginnings below the stunning south wall of Gangkhar and its satellites. Our president, Jim Sano, who led that first trek with me, calls it “an absolute jewel, with wonderfully varied scenery, from rich forests to soaring alpine vistas. It was one of the finest experiences of my mountain life, made all the more so by the knowledge that we were trekking in the only place on earth where snow leopard and Bengal tiger habitats overlap.
Days 1 & 2: USA to Bangkok • Day 3: Fly to Paro
Day 4: Drive to Thimphu • Day 5: Thimphu on to Trongsa •
Day 6: Trongsa to Jakar • Days 7–17: On trek to the world’s
highest unclimbed peak, Gangkhar Puensuum, ending back in Jakar • Day 18: Drive to Wangdiphodrang •
Day 19: Wangdiphodrang to Thimphu • Day 20: Drive to Paro, fly to Bangkok • Day 21: Return to USA
Hidden Highlands of Bhutan
Trip Details
2008 Departures:
21 days
Activity Type:
Trekking
Trip Price:From $6595
- October 5 - October 25
21 daysActivity Type:
Trekking
Trip Price:
From $6595
- General Description
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