Is Mera peak suitable for novice climbers? How difficult is Mera Peak climbing?are questions that everyone has. This blog is intended to address the question, “How difficult is Mera peak?” and the factors that make Mera peak climb difficult. Let’s get into this!
Mera Peak, Nepal’s highest permitted trekking peak, is a peak that every novice climber should attempt at least once. The peak is located in Nepal’s most popular location, the Khumbu region, and rises tall at 6,476 meters. Mera Peak is like a training base before the other tough climbs. The peak’s tough section is ideal for new climbers to improve their skills.
Mera Peak for Novice Climbers
Mera Peak is an excellent choice for novices, but it doesn’t have to be restricted to them. It’s also a great option for experienced climbers seeking a thrilling option in the Himalayas, particularly if gaining altitude is a priority. Climbing trekking peaks, in general, takes little to no technical knowledge. They’re long walks featuring rock scrambles, snow walking, or a combination of the two. Due to the great altitude, summiting the mighty peak is considered a fairly challenging climb. The majority of the path, however, is non-technical and straightforward.
Although the title “trekking peak” may mislead or convey a sense that the climb is relatively easy, the ascent should not be underestimated. In general, it is neither the most difficult nor the easiest summit to climb. Climbers must navigate the peak’s challenging parts. Those difficult sections, however, are not too strenuous; a climber with basic mountaineering training and better planning can pass through them.
There are other aspects that drive the expedition’s difficulty level. Such as the itinerary, total distance, weather conditions, altitude sickness, and so on. You could say that the difficulty of Mera Peak’s answer is entirely dependent on all of these elements.
Duration of Climb
Mera Peak is a high-altitude climb that reaches a height of 6, 476 meters. It takes ample acclimatization time to adjust to the new, high altitudes. Ascending without adequate acclimatization increases the risk of altitude sickness. And it, in turn, makes the Mera climb, or any other ascent, extremely tough.
You should ascend gradually and acclimate adequately to the new elevations for a successful and safe Mera ascent. You’ll need an itinerary with adequate acclimatization days before the summit day to do this. That is to say, the longer the length, the safer and easier it is to reach the summit.
As a result, the difficulty level of the Mera peak climb is based on the length of the climb.
Climbing Route
The route you take to climb Mera peak has an impact on the answer to the question “how difficult is Mera summit?” The climbs will be more tough the shorter the itineraries are. To reach the summit of Mera, you can take one of three routes.
Route 1: Direct Route
It is also known as the direct route because it leads directly to the summit. There won’t be much time to acclimate to the high elevations if you choose this option. It begins after passing through Zatra La Pass (4,610m) from Lukla. It then ascends to the Tagnag and finally to the Mera Base Camp. The trail continues to the peak after passing through the base camp.
Unless you’re an experienced climber, it’s better to opt for another route. This trail has taxed even the most experienced climbers. It will, however, get you to the peak faster than alternative paths. This path is not recommended if you are an unskilled mountaineer. You won’t have much time to acclimate to the altitude, which will undoubtedly add to the expedition’s difficulty.
Route 2: Most Common Route
This route is longer than the first one, but it is also easier. The trek begins in Lukla and passes through many Khumbu settlements, including Paiya, Hinku, Panguam, and Nagindingma. You’ll pass through the many villages and reach Mera Base Camp via Zatra La Pass. This route allows you to spend more time exploring and getting used to the various elevations.
Once you’ve grasped the elevations, you’ll begin the ascent higher. You’ll also spend some days acclimating to tented camps during the expedition. This will allow you to climb for a longer period, and you already know that longer routes are easier than shorter ones. You’ll be so habituated to the elevations by the time you reach the peak using this route since you’ll have had enough acclimatization days. If you are new to mountaineering, this path is more recommended than the previous one.
Route 3: Easiest Route
This is the easiest way to the summit of Mera peak. It’s easy because the duration is longer and you get more acclimatization days. This route is appropriate for novices and is frequently used by them. This route follows the Everest Base Camp trail to Namche Bazaar. This path allows you to hike and remain in the lower Everest region for 2 to 3 days.
The route is, however, the longest, and experienced climbers may find it monotonous. But, in reality, it’s a lot of fun. Before and after the climb, you have the opportunity to visit Sherpa settlements. As a result, if you take this route, you’ll arrive at Mera Peak Base Camp slowly before heading into the snow. You’ll need about 3 days to acclimate your body before crossing the 5000m+. As a result, the trip will be less difficult than the other options.
Distance
The difficulty level of the Mera Peak expedition is also affected by the distance of the entire expedition. You must cover more than 78 miles in the Mera peak climb, which includes the roughest, steepest, and highest altitudes. If you’re not used to such strenuous walking and trekking, you’ll have a difficult time completing the trip.
Before reaching the summit, you’ll pass over various glaciers and technical portions. The trail is generally steep and difficult in that section. You’ll need a good physical level and endurance to stand solidly on such parts of the trip. And you’ll need to perform some serious physical training before the expedition.
Weather
The difficulty level of the Mera peak climb varies according to the weather conditions. If the weather isn’t stable and there’s a chance of rain or snow, you’ll have even more trouble. And the weather at higher elevations, such as Mera Peak, maybe rather unpredictable. You never know what’s going to happen next. Weather plays a vital role while climbing the Mera peak. It is very important to choose the right season to trek to Mera Peak especially if you are a novice climber.
However, if you attempt the Mera peak climb during off-seasons such as monsoon or winter, you may face severe weather conditions. Snowfall in the higher elevations and rainfall in the lower elevations characterize these two periods. During various times of the year, the temperature also drops significantly. And you can imagine how difficult Mera Peak would be in those conditions.
On the contrary, there are fewer odds of weather changes if you plan your Mera peak climbing in the autumn or spring season. This means that the difficulty level of the climb will be higher if you choose to climb during the off-seasons.
If you have the proper preparation, the climb is simple and suitable for all types of climbers. If you plan and prepare for the expedition carefully, the difficulties will not be an issue.