Lobuche


Lobuche is a Nepalese mountain which lies close to the Khumbu Glacier and the settlement of Lobuche. There are two main peaks, Lobuche East and Lobuche West. A permit to climb the mountain is required from the National Mountaineering Association of Nepal, which classifies Lobuche East as a "trekking peak", and Lobuche West as an "expedition peak". As the easier, trekking peak, the East peak is climbed far more frequently than the West peak, however most of those climbers only do so to a false summit a few hours from the true summit of Lobuche East. Between the two peaks is a long deeply notched ridge, however a steep drop and considerable distance makes approaching the West peak from the East impossible.
The first recorded ascent of Lobuche East was made by Laurence Nielson and Sherpa Ang Gyalzen on April 25, 1984.
Lobuje West was first climbed in 1955 via the South Shoulder.

Name Confusion

Many of the tourist operators offering treks and climbs to Lobuje refer to the two peaks as "Lobuche East" and "Lobuche Far East". The NMA - who own the mountain - however, refer to them as Lobuche West and Lobuche East.