Gangapurna West, sometimes referred to as Lachenel, is a prominent mountain peak nestled in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. Straddling the Kaski and Manang districts within Gandaki Pradesh province of Nepal, this towering peak rises to an impressive 7,140 meters (23,425 feet) above sea level. Its location can be pinpointed through its geographical coordinates: 28° 36'04" latitude and 83° 56'38" longitude.
In case of emergency, two help centers are accessible from the basecamp along the caravan route, both situated at a distance of 23.5KM – the Ghandruk police post and the Ghandruk tourist police post. Additionally, the nearest settlement, Himalaya, is a mere 5.1KM away.
When it comes to scaling Gangapurna West, climbers can expect a variation in royalty fees based on both nationality and season. For Nepalese nationals, these fees amount to NRs 6,000 during spring, NRs 3,000 in autumn, and NRs 1,500 for winter and summer seasons. Meanwhile, foreigners face fees of USD 500 in spring, USD 250 in autumn, and USD 125 for winter and summer seasons.
Embarking on an expedition to Gangapurna West typically begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Lumle. From there, climbers can follow one of two caravan routes – either from Chame to Manang or from Pokhara to Chumrung then onward to MBC – ultimately leading to the basecamp. Traversing the caravan route spans approximately 35.5KM through Birethanti with an additional climbing route extending for about 9.7KM. Overall, climbers should anticipate a total expedition duration of roughly 45 days.