Shishapangma (officially Xixiabangma) is the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the lowest of the eight-thousanders. It was the last 8,000 meter peak to be climbed, due to its location entirely within China and the restrictions on outside visitation to the region imposed by the Chinese during the 1950s and later. The Tibetan name shi sha sbang ma means crest above the grassy plains. Shishapangma is located in south-central Tibet, a few kilometers from the border with Nepal. It is the only eight-thousander entirely within Chinese territory. It is the highest peak in the Jugal Himal, which is contiguous with, and often considered a part of, the Langtang Himal. The combined Jugal/Langtang Himal straddles the Tibet/Nepal border. Since it is on the dry north side of the Himalayan crest, and further away from the lower terrain of Nepal, it has somewhat less dramatic vertical relief than most other major Himalayan peaks. The North West normal route to Shishapangma takes you up easy angled snow slopes up to 35 degrees with one steeper section. The necessary lines are fixed by our Sherpas and placed on the steeper or crevassed sections. Following the acclimatization in Zhangmu & Nyalam, you will arrive at the base camp (5000m) to be ready for your final preparations and acclimatization walks.
Yaks transport the expedition gear from Base camp 5000m, to ABC at 5,400m. Three further camps are placed en-route. Camp 1 - 6,730m – After 6-7 hours walk you reach in camp 2 crossing many snowy slopes by fixing ropes in the places of crevassed. Camp 2 - 7,045m – After 5-6 hours you reach camp 3 via steep ascent leading to very gentle ground below the northwest ridge. Camp 3 - 7,400m – From Camp 3, it takes 9-12 hours to reach on the summit. The situation of the groups/climbers progress and the condition of the physical fitness, and also the favorable condition of the weather depends the climbing ahead.
