Island Peak – a Popular Destination for Mountaineering in the Himalayas. Methodological and Practical Aspects

Abstract

"Island Peak is located in the Solu-Khumbu region of the Himalayas (Nepal), and is a destination for beginner climbers, for acclimatization (at the altitude of 5000-6000 m), and training (practicing techniques for moving on exposed rock and ice, traversing crevasses on metal ladders, climbing on fixed ropes, moving on ice ledges, abseiling). The popularity of the massif is because it was noticed and climbed for the first time by members of the British expedition in 1953, but also from other causes, such as: easy access on the Dinboche-Chukkung-PareshayaGyab route; the short and relatively easy standard ascent route, but with enough technical challenges (slope, exposed rock, ice plateau with crevasses, ice wall, and exposed rock, narrow ridge with ice ledges), the passage of which is good training for climbing peaks above 7000 m and testing climbing skills; the proximity of the southern face of the Lhotse Peak; scenic perspectives towards Lhotse summit (8516 m), to the Imja, Lhotse Shar, and Lhotse glaciers, to the Baruntse ridge (7000 m), and the iconic Ama Dablam Peak (6856 m).The basic work is the result of direct research carried out by the author on the Island Peak massif and highlights, on the one hand, its geomorphological features, and on the other hand, the methodological stages of organizing and carrying out an expedition on this peak, relevant from sport and medical point of view. Keywords: climbing, trekking, mountaineering, Everest Base Camp Trek, summit day."