Kongma La Pass and Island Peak Climbing 2026 Updates
02 October, 2026: Trip Completed
Johan and Phurtenji returned safely to Kathmandu, although the planned objectives of reaching the summit of Island Peak and crossing the Kong Ma La Pass could not be achieved.
This is a testament to our philosophy: safety comes before summit success. It is undoubtedly disappointing for our clients and puts additional financial, mental, and other pressures on them. However, we believe that the mountains will always remain there, and turning back in dangerous conditions is not a failure, rather it is the responsible decision of a climber.
When the time and conditions are favorable, you can return to the mountain and attempt the climb again.
27 September, 2026
Mr. Johan Lau gave up hope of reaching the summit of Island Peak this time. Instead, they decide to trek to Everest Base Camp.
Following the Manaslu expedition, which we called off on September 22 due to excessive snowfall and adverse weather conditions, this is the second climb of the season that we have been forced to abandon due to unfavorable weather.
26 September, 2026
Due to excessive snowfall in the region, our guide, Phurtenji, decides to skip the planned journey to Lobuche for the Kong Ma La Pass at 5,535 m (18,159 ft). Instead, they decide to walk from Dingboche to Chukung to assess the possibility of climbing Island Peak.
On the same day, a team of seven guides and support staff from Chukung checks the trail to Island Peak Base Camp. The findings are discouraging, with approximately four feet of snowfall covering the trail.
25 September 2026
They walked from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche yesterday and continued to Dingboche today.
However, the weather in Nepal suddenly began to worsen due to a deep depression system that formed over the Bay of Bengal by these days, i.e. September 22-24.
As forecast by the Nepal Meteorological Department, this system is expected to bring excessive rainfall and heavy snowfall across Nepal from September 24 to 27, affecting trekking and climbing activities. We have already started to see the impact of this weather system, with snowfall and rainfall recorded over the past two days.
23rd September, 2026
Yesterday, they walked from Phakding and reached Namche Bazaar, crossing hanging bridges, passing through small towns, and walking through the forest.
Namche Bazaar is one of the historic Sherpa settlements of the Khumbu region and an important trading hub for centuries. Traditionally, it has been a meeting point between the Tibetan highlands and the lower valleys of Nepal, where goods were exchanged and traded.
Today, this place is one of the biggest modern towns in the region, with various facilities, including shops, restaurants, hotels, banks and ATMs etc., and serves as a gateway to the mountains in the Khumbu region, with the development of trekking and mountaineering in the Everest region.
This is the first town on the Everest region trekking route, where all trekkers stop for an extra night for acclimatization. They explore the surrounding areas and villages and enjoy the buzzing town.
21st September, 2026
Early in the morning Mr. Johan and Phurtenji take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla – gateway to the Everest Region. After arriving at lukla, they begin their trek toward Phakding. The journey from Luka to Phakding is relatively a short and first-day trek. The trail follows a beautiful mountain route through the Sherpa villages, green hills and forested areas.
20th September, 2026
Mr. Johan meets with his climbing and trekking guide for Island Peak, Mr. Phurtenji Sherpa. Phurtenji is an experienced climbing Sherpa from Solukhumbu who has completed Advanced Mountaineering Training (2012), along with training in rock climbing, food preparation, navigation, etc.
Phurtenji has climbed Mt. Everest from the south in 2016 and 2018, Mt. Cho Oyu in 2017, and Mt. Manaslu in 2020. He has climbed 6,000m peaks dozens of times, including Island Peak around 56 times, Mera Peak 21 times, Lobuche Peak four times, and Ganchhenpo Peak three times. He is also the first Nepali to ascend Arniko Chuli Peak.
And, we prepare the necessary permits and documents for the climb, including the Island Peak climbing permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit.
Final preparation for the climb, gear check, and last-minute shopping are complete today. And, ready to embark on the journey.
19th September 2026
Mr. Johan Lau Diderichsen arrives in Kathmandu, heading for Kongma La Pass and the climb to Island Peak. He was received with our representative at the airport and was transferred to Aarya Hotel and Spa Eternal Heritage Hotel.
We are happy to welcome Mr. Johan who is a senior international business executive with more than three decades of experiences including serving as the Vice President APAC at CooperSurgical Origio A/S, and Vice President Industrial Microbiology APAC at bioMerieux.
Unfortunately, our second climbing member, Ms. Agata Mathiasen – a revered Psychologist, Leadership and Career Coach, and Organizational and Management Consultant with decades-long experience – had to cancel the climb at the last moment due to some personal reason.
Chulu Far East 6,059m (19,878 ft) Climbing Autumn 2026 Updates
03 September 2026-A Successful Summit!
The climbers start their summit push today early in the morning at 02:00 am from the High Camp. With their excellent climbing efforts, finally Nima Sherpa and Evelyn Krosing reach the summit of Chulu Far East (6,059 m/19,878 ft) at 07.45 am NST. Ligal Dror and his guide Pemba Oingdi Sherpa, reach the summit at 09:00 am NST.
After successfully reaching the summit, they begin their descent and return safely to Base Camp. They then now descending toward Ngwal or Yak Kharka, depending on their stamina, weather, and other conditions, where they will spend the night. And then they head toward the Manaslu Base Camp to climb this mighty peak.
Congratulations! to Evelyn Krosing, Ligal Dror, Nima Sherpa, and Pemba Oingdi Sherpa on their successful ascent of Chulu Far East. This adds one more milestone to their climbing and guiding career respectively.
Now, with better-acclimatized bodies, you will accomplish your big dream of climbing Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m/26,781 ft). We wish you all the very best for a safe, successful, and memorable Manaslu summit ahead.
We, Satori Adventures, are proud of your determination, teamwork, and commitment. And last but not least, we thank our Sherpa guides and support staff who made this climb a success.
01-02 September 2026
The team reaches the High Camp. Our expert Sherpa guides complete the recce of the peak and fix the ropes near the summit where necessary. Other climbing members spend time acclimatizing at the camp.
31 August 2026
The Satori Adventures Chulu Far East group reaches Yak Kharka-Base Camp via trekking from Besisahar to Chame through Upper Pisang and Ngwal.
25 August 2026
The Chulu Far East climbing group leaves Kathmandu for Dharapani via Besisahar. Nima Sherpa, Pemba Ongdi Sherpa, and four porters depart together with three climbers, Evelyn Krossing and Ligal Dror. A young Nepali boy, Sakshyat Chhetry, also joins the group to test his stamina alongside our climbing team.
24 August 2026
We prepare the permits today. The permits include the climbing permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).
And, the luggage packed with all the climbing food, equipment, and materials is now ready.
21-23 August 2026
Evelyn Krosing of Estonia arrives on 21st August, and Ligal Dror of Israel arrives on 23rd August in Kathmandu to climb Chulu Far East (6,059 m/19,878 ft) as part of their Manaslu acclimatization climb.
They will acclimatize in Kathmandu and do their final preparations, including checking their climbing gear and equipment and completing their final shopping.
21-22 August 2026
Nima Sherpa, Satori Adventures’ acclaimed climbing guide, also known as “Speed Nima” for his accomplished climbs of many peaks in a short time, with his support Sherpa guide Pemba Ongdi Sherpa prepares the meal and equipment for the Chulu Far East Climbing
The equipment includes, Guide ropes, Ice screws, Korean rope, Snow Bars, Dom tent, Harness, Jumar, Helmet, Water bottle, Umbrella, Slipper, Boots, Masks, Regulators, O2 cylinder, Satellite Phones, MSR, EPI and others.
The kitchen/meal purchase was completed in the earlier days, and they pack all the food items today to be carried to the mountain. These include tea/coffee, muesli, flakes, noodles, and other high-food.
Larke Peak (6,010 m/ 19,718 ft) Climbing Autumn 2026
04 September, 2026 - A Successful Summit!
Our climber Wade Sahni, along with guides Lakpa Tasi Sherpa and Pem Chhiri Sherpa, begins the summit climb at 7:00 am. They attempt to climb Larke Peak (6,010 m), but continuous rock- fall forces them to change their plan and climb another peak north of the intended peak instead.
They reach the summit of Larke North (6,043 m/ 19,826 ft) at 9:34 am and then descend back to Samdo Village, where they plan to spend one extra day to regain their strength.
This completes the pre-Manaslu acclimatization climb for Wade Sahni. They will now head to Samagaon and then to Manaslu Base Camp to begin the climb of Manaslu in coming days.
Congratulations! to Wade Sahni, Lakpa Tasi Sherpa, and Pem Chhiri Sherpa on your successful ascent of Larke Peak (North). This adds one more milestone to your climbing and guiding career respectively.
Now, with better-acclimatization, you will accomplish your bigger dream of climbing Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m/26,781 ft). We wish you all the very best for a safe, successful, and memorable Manaslu summit ahead.
We, Satori Adventures, are proud of your determination, teamwork, and commitment. And last but not least, we thank our Sherpa guides and support staff who made this climb a success.
03 September 2026
Our climbing member reach High Camp. And prepare for the next day’s summit push. They will spend the night and climb next day in the early morning.
02 September 2026
Our Sherpa staffs begin to establish the High camp and ferry camp facilities to the High Camp.
01 September 2026
Our climbing team reaches to the Base Camp of Larke La Peak. They stayed in Muglin overnight the day they left, and then drove to Gowa next day. Then they trek to the Larke La pass via Bhimthang-Phedi, and reach Dharmashala.
And, they visit the Base Camp of Larke La.
28 August 2026
The Larke Peak (6,010 m/19,718 ft) climbing team leaves Kathmandu in the late afternoon. As the devastating flood damaged and blocked the road to Besisahar in the Kathmandu-Mugling section, and risk of flood was still there, our team decides to leave late at around 2.00 pm and took detour drive via the alternate Hetauda-Narayangarh-Muglin-Besisahar-Gowa route.
Likely, they will stop either at Narayanghat, or in Mugling depending upon the situation of the road and traffic. They will then follow the route to Bhimthang-Phedi-Larke Pass-Larke Base Camp. After the climbing, they join the group in the Manaslu Base Camp.
27 August 2026
We complete the documentation, make the permit for Larke La Peak from Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Annapurna Conservation Area permit, Mansalu Conservation Area permit from (National Trust for Nature Conservation), and Manaslu Restricted Area permit from the Department of Immigration (DOI).
Our climber completes the final preparation, and shopping in Thamel.
26 August 2026
Mr. Wade Sahni arrives in Kathmandu, who is heading for an acclimatization climb to Larke La Peak prior to the Manaslu expedition.
Satori Adventures’ Manaslu Expedition 2026 Sherpa leader and guide, Lakpa Tasi Sherpa, will lead the climb with the support of Pem Chhiri Sherpa and Thuktang Sherpa.
24-25 August 2026
Satori Adventures’ Manaslu Expedition 2026 Sherpa leader and guide, Lakpa Tasi Sherpa, and his support climbers Pem Chhiri Sherpa and Thuktang Sherpa prepare the climbing gears for themselves and for our climbing member who are going to climb Larke La Peak as acclimatization climb of Manaslu.
The equipment includes, Guide ropes, Ice screws, Korean rope, Snow bars, Dom tent, Jumar, Helmet, Harness, Regulators, Masks, 8 figure, Safety rope, O2 cylinder, Satellite Phones, MSR, EPI and others.
The kitchen/meal purchase was completed in the earlier days, and they pack all the food items today to be carried to the mountain. These include tea/coffee, muesli, flakes, noodles, and other high-food.
