Nepalese Climbers Achieve Second Ascent of Chhopa Bamare

New Update 0n 16th Jan 2024:

The first official ascent of Chhopa Bamare as mentioned in the article as per the reports is now contested. As per Mr. Kelley and Billet, their ascent was official and they have taken a permit for the same. But due to some missing in the update of the database or gaps in the information or other procedural reasons, their ascent might not have been termed as an official ascent.

This is a developing issue and any update on this will be followed up.

Nepalese mountaineers have accomplished the second-ever ascent of Chhopa Bamare, located in Rolwaling at an elevation of 6,109 meters.

In the winter of 2019, John Patrick Kelley from the United States and Benjamin Billet from France initially scaled Chhopa Bamare. Their account was documented in the American Alpine Journal. The duo undertook an alpine-style climb along the southeast face and southwest ridge, culminating in a four-day ascent that concluded on December 28th. They remarked that although the climb was not particularly challenging, it was set against a stunning mountainous backdrop.

The 2019 climbers furnished comprehensive information and evidence of their ascent, which garnered coverage across multiple media outlets. However, since the mountain was opened for climbing in 2014, Nepal's Department of Tourism persisted in classifying Chhopa Bamare as "unclimbed" on their Nepal Himal Peak Profile site. As a result, the Nepalese team claimed the first "official" ascent.

Regardless of this discrepancy, the recent Nepalese expedition pursued an alternative objective: to augment Nepal's available trekking peaks and endorse tourism in lesser-traversed regions. Members of the expedition hailed from Bigu municipality and were coordinated by Himalayan Eco Treks and Expeditions as well as Dolma Outdoor.

Under the guidance of Dolma Outdoor's leader Nima Gyalzen, the summiters reached the peak on December 29th, eight days after they arrived at Base Camp. Additional participants included Phurba Thiley Sherpa, Lila Bahadur Basnet, Lakpa Gelji Sherpa, Bhabindra Khadka, and Bigu chairperson Sanjeeb Oli.

Further information regarding their specific route has been requested from the Nepalese outfitter.

According to Himalayan Shepherd, Dolma Outdoor's affiliate company, "the peak can be accessed in only three days, making it an attractive option for trekkers." Chhopa Bamare is situated within the Dolkha district of Rolwaling, near Gauri Shankar and bordering Tibet. The peak can be seen from the Tibetan border town of Kodari. Teams traveling to Shishapagma and Cho Oyu in Tibet typically pass through Kodari.

Atop the summit, the Nepalese climbers savored breathtaking panoramas of Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse, as captured in the video below.