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The Everest Three Passes Trek, a route crossing the Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La mountain passes, is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, reaching altitudes above 5,000 meters and traversing rugged terrain. This route tests not only physical endurance but also willpower and adaptability, requiring even experienced trekkers like Tran Trung Hieu – a passionate mountaineer from Hoi An, Quang Nam – to spend months preparing before embarking.
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, reaching altitudes above 5,000 meters and traversing rugged terrain.
The journey of a trekking enthusiast.
For Trung Hieu, his passion for trekking isn't limited to the mountains of Vietnam or familiar treks in Nepal like Langtang and the Annapurna Circuit. He shared: "I've been to Nepal twice already, but this time is special because the Everest Three Passes Trek is a completely different challenge. It's a difficult and expensive route, so I waited until I had enough experience and fitness before attempting it."
Difficulty in navigating through snow-covered and rugged terrain.
With a backpack weighing nearly 20kg on his shoulder, containing a camera, sleeping bag, and food, Hieu and his two friends decided to completely self-manage their trip, carrying their own belongings and relying solely on a map on their phones. He believes his group is one of the first Vietnamese teams to independently conquer this three-mountain pass route – a grueling challenge requiring preparation and resilience from each member.
Carrying your own gear and finding your own way to conquer Everest.
Kongma La Pass – The first and most difficult challenge
The three-pass route begins with Kongma La, the highest pass on the journey, reaching an altitude of 5,530 meters. Departing early in the morning, Hieu's group had to overcome icebergs and rugged slopes. "I've traveled through many passes here, but I've never seen one as difficult as Kongma La," he recounted.
Throughout the long journey, the group only managed brief stops on the steep cliffs to catch their breath before continuing their climb. It took more than 13 hours, from 5 am to 7 pm, for the entire group to reach the guesthouse, completely exhausted. Hieu recalled: "At that time, even though I was starving, I didn't have the strength to go down to the dining room and could only lie flat on the bed. It was an hour later before I could get up."
Throughout the long journey, the group only managed brief stops on the steep cliffs to catch their breath before continuing their climb higher.
Due to carelessness, Hieu and his teammates became exhausted from a lack of food.
The harshness of the high altitude and unexpected difficulties
Unlike other treks in Nepal, the path up these three passes had no rest stops or restaurants along the way. This left the group short of food after crossing Kongma La. "I was careless in preparing food, so I didn't have enough energy and ended up exhausted," Hieu shared.
Furthermore, altitude sickness became the biggest challenge for the group as they got closer to the summit. Hieu and his companions all experienced severe headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and had to quickly descend to adjust. “Altitude sickness depends on individual constitution; physical strength alone isn't enough. We had to spend an entire day resting, missing the chance to see Mount Everest because we couldn't bear it.”
The scenery along the way was as beautiful as a dream.
In those perilous moments, Hieu understood that taking risks doesn't mean surrendering to fate. He shared: "This is a journey I planned very carefully to understand my limits. Sacrificing my life just to see the scenery isn't worth it." Hieu has experienced many adventurous mountain climbing trips, but he always finds ways to control the risks, which helps him stay confident but not complacent on every journey.
Lost in the paradise of Chukhung Ri and Gokyo Ri
Overcoming challenging routes, the Everest Three Passes Trek offered Trung Hieu and his companions breathtaking moments that are hard to find anywhere else. In particular, standing on the summit of Gokyo Ri, looking down at the clear blue Gokyo Lake and the Ngozumba Glacier, Nepal's longest glacier, he felt as if he had entered a completely different world. He expressed: “The sunsets on Chukhung Ri and Gokyo Ri are truly the highlight. When the last rays of sunlight fall on the lake and glacier, the scene is like a dream. For me, this journey, though not yet complete, became perfect after that moment.”
Rewards for brave hearts
Advice for those who want to conquer
Trekking on Everest is not just an adventure, but also a battle against altitude and harsh weather. Trung Hieu advises those who want to participate in the three-pass route to prepare thoroughly in terms of terrain knowledge and physical fitness. “This route requires endurance and experience. You have to walk continuously for 180 km with a backpack weighing 15 to 20 kg. Moreover, health is a decisive factor, because not only is the journey long, but it's also a challenge of constantly changing altitude.” Hieu also emphasizes that conquering Everest is not simply a mountain climbing experience; it can be considered a journey of pushing one's own limits.
The Everest Three Passes Trek, with its blend of extreme challenges and breathtaking beauty, is a testament to the power of nature and human ingenuity.
The Everest Three Passes Trek, with its combination of challenging obstacles and breathtaking beauty, is a testament to the power of nature and human resilience. This route is not for those seeking ease. But for enthusiasts like Hieu, it's a place to challenge themselves and find the true meaning of trekking.
Go to conquer nature, and also to explore the limits of yourself.
“When I set foot on these peaks, I not only gazed upon the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas but also felt the limits of my own abilities. That is truly the most valuable reward after this journey,” he said, his eyes shining as if still retaining every image of the sacred land of Khumbu.
