The Three Passes Trek - Everest trekking - Nepal's toughest Everest-region hike 

Hi, Dave! Thanks for the message. To be honest, I didn't want a guide for our trip at first (I prefer to do stuff on my own!), but in the end, I'm glad we had one. Karma Sherpa was fun to be around, and he got us out of bed in the morning and made sure we didn't make any navigational or safety mistakes, which took a load off Susan's and my shoulders, making the trip a bit less stressful. And hearing your story also makes me happy we had him. But, yeah, when I watch this video, I see how tired we were, but when I think of the trip now in retrospect, I just think of how beautiful it was and how I'd like to go back!

So glad you enjoyed it!

Hi, Robyn! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video! I'm very, very impressed that you convinced your teenage daughters to do this trek. What a unique and wonderful family you must have. I would have whined the entire time if I had been forced to do this as a teenager. (I whined even now!)

Thanks, I'm happy you liked it, and I hope you have an amazing trip in Nepal! It's a great place!

thank you!

Thanks, glad you liked it!

Glad you liked it!

Glad you enjoyed the EBC trip! I also did the EBC trip by itself with my brother in December, and, yes, we enjoyed the experience because there were fewer people even though the weather was quite cold some days. We also made a video of that trip: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YZWik8shZjo.html I definitely recommend Three Passes -- it was a great experience!

Thanks -- glad you liked it!

I can't stand the fakery and BS drama. Worst example in yr.s.

Thanks, Karma!

Thank you, Roy!

Thanks for watching, Andrew. So glad you liked it.

Thanks, Jeet! So glad you liked it!

Glad you enjoyed the video!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

Hi, Jacco. I'm glad you liked the video. Yes, Nepal is a beautiful place.

Thanks, Michael!

Thanks, Jim! Glad you liked it!

lol glad you enjoyed it, sorry i'm such a whiner

So nice of you! Glad you liked it! I hope life is good in Nepal.

@@HankLeukart sir, ya till now life is going good here in Nepal . Where are you from? How's the condition over there? Stay safe!!!if you have plan to visit Nepal once again hope to meet you,,

Thank you!

Thanks, glad you liked it!

Thanks! Are you planning a Nepal trip?

You definitely should go! If you have any questions about planning your trip, let me know.

Thanks, Sabdar! I'm glad you enjoyed it. More to come!

Uh, yes, I'm totally up for it. What did you have in mind? :)

Just saw this now, sorry. Are you in the neighborhood at all this summer? I always have lots of ideas on the back burner. Could do a first descent to scout a trip for the Canadian Packraft Roundup...

Thank you! Glad you liked it. I've never done Annapurna but would really like to, especially because it's lower altitude. The Three Passes Trek is wonderful (though difficult due to the altitude). I think you'll really enjoy it. If you have any questions, let me know! -Hank

annapurna was beautiful...... Great trek but the last 2 days after summiting Thorongla Pass [5416 METERS].. It was mainly road down to Jonsom I suffered a bit for the 3 or 4 days up around 4500 meters.no sickness but found it hard to sleep.I hope I can complete 3 Passes

thanks, glad you liked it!

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

thank you!

Humor..? You must be easily amused

Hi, Victoria! Glad you liked the videos! I'm not 100% opposed to summiting Everest, but people die every year doing it (5 in 2018, 5 in 2017, 7 in 2016, 19 in 2015), and so in some ways, it seems like an exercise in suffering with unnecessary high risk. There are so many other more fun and interesting adventures to do in the world (uncharted and otherwise) that I'd rather do first. Do you plan to do the climb?

I know people say you can do anything you put your mind to but I don’t think I would ever get to the top. Maybe one day to the EBC trek like you and your brother did. That’s my dream

yeah, it's an amazing place!

Thanks, Audrey! Glad you liked it! Are you planning to do the trek?

Maybe next year, or 2020 :) I did EBC in 2017, and couldn't proceed through Cho La due to heavy snow so we went back down the same way.

Thank you!!

Thanks, glad you liked it!!

yeah, high-altitude hiking is another thing altogether!

Thank you 😊

thank you!

true! thanks so much for all this info. i gotta get back there and do some more off-the-beaten-path hikes!

Thanks -- glad you liked it so much!

i liked having a guide to get us out of bed in the morning, but guide/porter/no one all work

I did 7 treks on December in thin gore-tex with windstopper and 3 under layers , but you know I`m Polish :)

Thanks for the info! Maybe my next trip will be to head over Amphu Lapcha! -Hank

thanks!

thanks!

hi amelia! glad you liked the video. we did it in late October/early November, and yes, we had great weather!

the cinematic music reflects the stunning, sweeping views and the intense physical exertion required to hike steep mountain passes at such high altitudes. and yes, this is a popular trek that anyone who is up for it should try!

This was my second trip to this region of Nepal!

thank you!

I usually use a combination of a Lumix GH5, GoPro Hero Session, and an iPhone 7. I usually put the GH5 away when it's raining and use the iPhone 7 (waterproof). I use the GoPro for action stuff (paddling, etc.)

Thank you very much!. I've been inspired by this film. Wish you good luck. Best regards from Argentina.

Hi, Marty! You can see our full itinerary and download a GPS track of our trip on my blog: withoutbaggage.com/films/nepal-three-passes/

Glad you liked the video! For this video, we used a combination of a Panasonic Lumix GH4 (I carried it), Canon Rebel T7i (Susan carried it) iPhone 6, and a GoPro HERO4. My hiking videos often use a hodgepodge of cameras because some situations make using a DSLR/big-body-mirrorless annoying/difficult. At meals, I often use an iPhone so I'm not sticking a big camera in people's faces at the dinner table. When it's raining, I almost exclusively use iPhones because newer models are waterproof. GoPros are good for kayaking and when you want to wave a camera around on a selfie stick to get a big wide shot (like our summit shots). Hope that helps!

@@HankLeukart I really appreciated every suggestion !

Hi Jiayi! I'm so jealous that you're on an around-the-world trip -- I wish you guys had invited me! :) The shoes question is a tough one because it depends a lot on personal preference. I wore light Salomon hiking shoes for the trip -- the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX -- which combines the comfortable feel and light weight of trailrunners, but, like some hiking boots, has a mid-top height and fairly aggressive traction on the sole. For me, this is a good compromise (though these kind of shoes are not as durable and don't last as long as hiking boots). But Susan wore even lighter trailrunners for our trip and didn't seem to have a problem, though she was a bit less stable on snow. She'd also tell you that she prefers low-rise shoes, because some think it's important to strengthen your ankles, as opposed to depending on high-top shoes to provide ankle support. However, you will be hiking in snow, and this trip can get extremely cold at high altitudes, so some may find the traction on trailrunners to be lacking -- and they're also not as warm as a more substantial shoe. That's why my recommendation is the kind of trailrunner/boot hybrid I wore. But if your personal preference is trailrunners (especially due to weight), I think you'll do fine: just make sure they're big enough to accommodate super thick, warm socks! As for tea houses, Karma Sherpa made some reservations for us (though they had to be resorted a few times due to schedule changes), but I've also done the Everest Base Camp Trek with my brother without a guide, and we didn't make any reservations in advance. We had no problem showing up at tea houses and finding a spot. Most places have multiple options in case one is full. Let me know if you have any other questions!

We didn't need crampons or an ice axe for the conditions, but we did need to make sure the conditions on each pass were okay before attempting to hike over them. As for pack weight, I doubt we were carrying 40 lbs each -- though it's wasn't as light as you might think, because we carried everything you'd need for camping trips except for food, tent, and cook system, and the weather was extremely cold so we had a lot more layers and jackets than you might have for most hikes. Because electricity is sparse/can be expensive for charging as you get more remote, I was carrying a large amount of batteries and chargers for the gear. We had two DSLRs, a GoPro + selfie stick, and a snapshot camera backup, plus chargers and multiple batteries for each device. I don't remember, but I imagine my pack was about 25-30 lbs (camera gear) and Susan's was 15 lbs? Just guessing.

Thanks for the reply. On my last trip to Nepal (October, 2015) for a trek over Thorung La my pack weighed between 20 and 25 pounds, and that included a DSLR and a couple of zoom lenses but no sleeping bag. I am contemplating doing the Three Passes Trek in the coming February, so my plan would include carrying a sleeping bag. As someone rapidly approaching 65, years old, I can't have a 40-pound pack . . .

thank you for watching! glad you liked it.

The problem with doing this December - February is that it will be extremely cold and since it's winter snow season, if there's a lot of snow, it can block the passes or make it impossible to find or see the trail. If you're using a guide who knows exactly how and where to go (and when and where not to go), then it's probably okay, but I'd be cautious. Be very, very cautious if you're going by yourself.

Hank Leukart thanks very much for the info, just out of interest how long did the entire trip take and what was the ball park cost.? We used a local Agent form Kathmandu it was $1500 for a guide, flight into lukla and two porters including all tea houses and permit and food etc. It sounds like it should be much cheaper just going with a guide and then paying for flights and tea houses separately would be good to get your feedback on this as I am traveling for a year so on a budget in Nepal as doing another 10 countries there after thanks again and apologies for calling you frank take care Gareth.

We completed it in 15 days, but we rushed due to some weather concerns. I would probably set aside 21 days for buffer and so you can enjoy a few rest days during the trek. 18 days minimum. I think $1,500 is in the right ballpark, but guide quality, tea house quality, and food quality can vary. I know that Karma Sherpa offers Three Passes itineraries that are less money than that but may offer fewer included services, and he also offers some itineraries that cost more money because they include more amenities, etc. If you want to get more information from him, you can contact him through www.higherpathtreks.com. You can certainly save money by not using porters or guides, but that can make your trip more difficult, of course. We didn't have any porters, only Karma Sherpa as our guide. When my brother and I did EBC, we didn't use porters or guides (that route is more straightforward). Show less

Thanks, Bob!

I think Karma Sherpa made that decision for us, but either way works.

Susan says: "I did wear contact lenses. Solution freezing wasn't a problem. Cleanliness was OK, since there was always some kind of running water. But it wasn't always warm, which meant that sometimes my hands weren't as clean as they could have been. Which might have contributed to an eye issue" late in the trip.

Thank you! I was able to successfully wear contacts every day. What an amazing trip!

We started at the end of October and hiked into the beginning of November. Honestly, we had perfect weather every day, though it was sometimes extremely cold. Good luck in 2020, and let me know if you have any other questions while planning your trip!

Glad you liked it!

The guide we hired, Karma Sherpa, is the managing director of Higher Path Treks: www.higherpathtreks.com

Hi Martin! 1) We arrived in Kathmandu on October 21. 2) The hours shown on my blog include all stops and breaks. Also, when we did this trek, Susan also visited both Kala Pattar (Day 10) and Ama Dablam base camp (Day 13) during the trip, as you can see from the itinerary. They're not in the video because I didn't go to either because I had been to Kala Pattar and EBC on a previous trip, and I was exhausted and dying for a little downtime. But, I highly recommend that people who do Three Passes also visit at least Kala Pattar if they haven't been to it before.

Thanks, I guess I do not have any excuse NOT to go anymore! the plan is next year around that same time! Last Q: Never had any problems with getting a room? It seems the trek is getting more and more crowded.

We didn't have any problems with rooms, though Karma Sherpa handled the rooms for us. When I did the EBC trek in 2011 without a guide with my brother, we had no problem finding rooms. The trek has gotten more popular, but there's also more lodging now too.

October 2014

+Sharon Davidson Glad you liked the video! I think our packs were in the 20 lbs. range. Mine may have been heavier because I was carrying a bunch of camera gear and batteries.

It's harder than EBC and a bit harder to follow but it's still doable. Make sure you are very aware of weather conditions before crossing the passes, because they can be dangerous and impassable in some conditions.

Thanks, Sujan!

I don't remember seeing any bikes. Some section could be quite difficult on a bike due to the steepness of switchback sections.

Looks tough for sure. Thanks for your video and reply.

Clark .Bostrom , mountainbikes totally forbidden in Everest area, they will stop you at Lukla. Head for Annapurna circuit, awesome ride.

Late October/early November

@@HankLeukart Thanks for the info buddy. I am going to trek this year( late november). Hope to get this snowy at the high passes.

Hi, Pam! Thanks so much for the kind words. I hope you end up having a successful trip in Nepal. The altitude is tough for everyone, but if you take it slow while going up and adhere to correct acclimatization schedules, you'll likely be fine (though maybe a little cranky and tired).

Totally beautiful. I think it may have been my favorite, though Gokyo is also incredible, so it's hard to compare.

It's been awhile, but I think was the one who suggested doing our trip clockwise, because I had already done the EBC-only trek before (see my other video) and wanted to go in a different direction on the way up. We did side trips on the way up that made the climb plenty interesting, and I prefer to climb up steep stuff as opposed to walking down -- it's easier for me. And I think the views are considered to be better going clockwise. Regardless, I think both directions have their pros and cons, and I know there are many who prefer counter clockwise, which is a great way to do it too. And I agree that everyone should be very careful to make sure they acclimatize correctly.

yeah the scenery is incredible

this was in late october

Due to the weather concerns, we completed this trek in 15 days, which included visits to Kala Patthar and Ama Dablam Base Camp (not shown). Keep in mind that most people do this trip in 19-21 days.

Late October and into November

i'd say they're about the same level of difficulty but very different treks. three passes for me was 36,000 feet gain/15 days, and jmt was 50k feet gain/18 days. on jmt, you have to carry your own food+tent+stove, so your bag is MUCH heavier. on three passes, the elevation is much higher for a LOT longer (nearly the entire hike takes place at over 10,000 feet and you reach 18,000 feet). if you're very sensitive to altitude sickness you're going to have a harder time on three passes.

@@HankLeukart Thank for quick reply it is a helpful advice.

Haha, yes, I was tired :)

It's been awhile so I don't remember, but you can contact Karma Sherpa for a quote through his company here: www.higherpathtreks.com

@@HankLeukart Thanks a lot 😊

Haha, yeah, interesting name for a Gokyo teahouse!

Haha, I was tired and cold a lot. :)

True, I was being too hyperbolic. Whoops. :) However, Wikipedia lists 8 plane crashes at the Lukla airport since the year 2000, so I do stand by the assertion that this is very dangerous airport and flight, considering that there's a plane crash there almost every other year (!). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzing-Hillary_Airport