Mera Peak is the highest permitted trekking peak of Nepal. It stands to the south of Everest and dominates the watershed between the heavily wooded valleys of the Hinku and Hongu Drangkas. J.O.M. Roberts and Sen Tenzing made the first successful ascent on 20 May 1953. The trek starts from Kathmandu with a drive to Jiri and a trek to Lukla at 2800m. This is a good way to begin as it helps develop physical fitness and is excellent for altitude acclimatization. But most of the people take a flight to Lukla and stay there overnight. From Lukla to Chutanga we walk through rhododendron and pine forests. Crossing the Zatra-La pass the trek is very steep but the reward is a view of Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th highest mountain and the Numbur Himal. We now descend into the Mera Valley. From Chatrabu, after a walk of about around one and half hours we get the best view of Mera’s South, Central and North peaks. Then we go through more forests, of rhododendron, bamboo and pine to reach Kothe (Hinku khola) from where the trekking is easier to Khare Base Camp, at 5000m. From Khare to Mera-La it is steep, but from Mera–La to our high camp at 5800m is easier, though we must take care as there are many deep crevasses. We will follow the ‘standard’ route to the summit, reaching the Central peak and, perhaps, the slightly higher North summit. There are many other routes to the peak, but none of them are easy, some requiring the crossing of high and difficult passes (though, of course, this adds to the true mountaineering experience). But in the end all the effort and hard work pays off as Mera provides one of the finest viewpoints in Nepal, with a panoramic view of Chamlang, Kangchenjunga, Makalu and Baruntse to the east, and Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam and Kangtega to the west. Everest is seen to the north over the massive unclimbed south face of Lhotse and the Nuptse/Lhotse ridge. Under favourable conditions, it is possible to climb the peak and to descend to Base Camp on the same day.
