Everest View in three hours Hiking

 By: Bishnu Prasad Sharma

Annapurna Range from Chandragiri

Nagarkot, Shivapuri, Nagarjun, Chandragiri and Phulchowki hiking hills around Kathmandu made geographically it - a Valley. All hills provide unique and beautiful long-range Mountain View, cultural sites and live village life. It may be hard to believe but the truth is that we can see several mountains above 8000m including the highest peak of the world, the Mt. Everest from Chandragiri 2555m, easily reachable in three hours hiking from Pharping, Machhegaun, Matatirtha or Thankot-Kathmandu. Eight mountains above 8000m Dhaulagiri-1, Annapurna-I, Mansalu, Shishapangma (Tibet China), Cho-oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are clearly visible from one-neck-stand. This is the rarely available view-point in the world. At Chandragir from Champa Devi side Everest is very clearly visible.

Mt. Manasalu from Chandragiri

What usually the urban based Nepalis interested to do during holidays? High ranking officials and so called elites are proud of playing cards and drink whisky. Youngsters- often love to visit nearby cottage restaurants to drink beer. A small number of youths are found interested in hiking, trekking and temple-visit. Like in Europe, we do not have hiking culture. It's a pity.

Every day and night, we see the snow capped high mountains, amazing view of sun-rise and sun-set. But, if anybody asks about the name of the nearby mountains- we easily smile and reply saying 'no'.

Ganesh Himal

I had this exploration in two chilly mornings on 24 and 31 December 2011, where I found the beautiful view of long rang of mountains   starting from Dhaulagiri to  Makalu east Nepal.  Unnoticeable thin wind from north of Kathmandu-the Langtang range was chilly. Small trail under bushes leads straight up providing the smell of different flowers whether you climb from Thankot or Kirtipur. At start, bird's twittering, cold wind, view of Manasalu, Ganesh and Langtang Himalayan range had provided wonderful combination of happiness.

Rasuwagadi-Langtang

In two hours of climbing from Machhegaun, one can easily reach at the small pass leading the trail left to Champa Devi hill and Chandra Giri hill to the right. And from Matatirtha, we can reach in two hours at Deurali.

A bottle of water, coke, dry noodle and Bhujiya was our hiking lunch in both days, we took it at the pass under warm morning sun. 

It was unexpected surprise for me when I saw unbelievable and clearly recognizable view of Mt. Everest guarded by two gigantic mountains at the right corner of Chandragiri before top. 

L Shishapangma, Dorjee Lhakpa and Gaurishankar

I never had such magnificent long Mountain View from the hills nearby Kathmandu, though I had been at Nagarkot, Shivapuri and Nagarjun (Jamacho Peak) several time. Though far in distance,the mountains in the eastern region were looking brighter and luring under the dark-blue sky.  The weather was fantastic.

Kathmandu Valley and  Himalayan Range

From the first point, the Mountain View starting from Ganesh Himal, Rasuwa Gadi, Langtang, Dorjee Lhakpa was extending until to Everest and Makalu to the east. This view from the middle of the hill made me sure that there should be some point from where Manasalu and Annapurna range will surely be visible.

In half an hour of slow climbing from the small pass, dense forest is finished. A steep sloppy grass hill approached before us. I was hurried to find out the point from where Dhaulagiri to Everest view could be seen.

Long mountain range

Cho-oyu, Pumori, Nuptse, Everest and more

My assumption became true in no time. We stood at a previous point that allowed allowed to have the magnificent long-long Himalayan range starting from Annapurna in the west to Mt. Everest and Makalu to the far east. It was an unbelievable magnificent view point of the mountains just after three hours of Hiking from Kathmandu. I danced with happiness. I was as excited as in 
Cherkori Peak-at Langtang, French Pass at Dhaulagiri  and Kalapather-at Everest.

The mountains clearly visible from this point starting from west to east were Annapurna South, Annapurna-I, III, II, Machhapuchhere (dark and dim), Lamjung Himal, Manasalu, Ganesh Himal-I,II,III, Rasuwa Gadi pass and peaks at Tibet, Langtang Lirung and long Langtang range, Shishapangma, Dorjee Lhakpa, Gauri Shankar, Number, Cho-Oyo, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.  The range extends further east, I'm not sure if we could recognize Kanchanjunga. The view extends until south crossing several shouldering hills to Terai.

I find out the point on 31 December from where Mt. Dhaulagiri above 8000m range was visible. I did it.  Except Kanchanjunga, we can see all   mountains above 8000m from Chandragiri including Shishapangma-in Tibet. There is one point at Tibet, China from where we can see Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho-oyu and Shishapangma, the five peaks above 8000m.

L Dhaulagiri under cloud, R Annapurna Range 

Long mt range

My hobby is trekking. I've trekked most of the famous trekking routes of Nepal and Mt. Kailash circuit in Tibet. Starting from west Nepal, I've done around Dhaulagiri, around Annapurna, Annapurna B.C., Beni-Muktinath, Langtang-Gosaikunda, Helambu-Panchpokhari, Everest region-Gokyo-Chola Pass-Kalapather-Everest BC and Island Peak high camp. In Tibet, I have been at Everest BC, Manasarobar and Mt. Kailash Circuit.

Cho-oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu

I'm interested to taste the beauty and virginity of Great Himalayan Trail –Nepal part. Small trekking area so far, I've covered in Nepal Himalayas have encouraged me to continue. 
At the moment, I felt myself proud when I became able to see so long 
Himalayan range extending from western region Annapurna to Mt. 
Everest and Makalu to the far eastern region of Nepal. I enjoyed very much. I got an opportunity to taste the beauty of Himalayas once again just after three hours of HIKING from Kathmandu. 

When I got down from the ridge, the valley was still dozing under thick, black and polluted fog and the litters presented by young girls and boys at and around Champa Devi Temple were on the wing over it.