Ama Dablam Climb
Trek Highlights:
One of the most fascinating mountains on earth, Ama Dablam when viewed from nearly any angle intrigues the true alpinist spirit. Located in Nepal’s famous Everest Region, this beautiful mountain with its dominating features stands alone near the foot of the Khumbu Valley. The mountain rises nearly 10,000 feet above the Sherpa village of Pangboche, traditionally known as the last year-round settlement on the trek to Everest Base Camp. Our post-monsoon expedition climbs the classic Southwest Ridge.The route is technically challenging yet incredibly rewarding and requires a high level of proficiency on steep, exposed and technical terrain at high altitude. The mountain is known by its massive hanging glacier that is the Ama Dablam, or “Mother’s Jewel, also known as the arms of Mother protecting her child “ for which it is named.
Southwest Ridge Route –This expedition begins in the historic city of Kathmandu, known for its fascinating Nepalese culture and ancient temples. We fly to Lukla and trek along the Dudh Koshi River until arriving in the legendary village of Namche Bazaar; the main trading center of the Sherpa people and gateway to the Khumbu Valley. Over the next few days we are rewarded with amazing Himalayan views and tour the historic Tengboche monastery before arriving in Base Camp at 15,000 ft.The technical rock climbing between Camp 1 and 2 is superb. The entire climbing route is fixed line, climbers use an ascender as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and towers. Camp 2 is perched above the great “yellow tower“ on a narrow ledge with incredible views of the upper mountain. Above Camp 2 the route climbs mixed terrain up a 50 degree snow couloir and an exposed traverse along “mushroom ridge“. Camp 3 rests just beyond the famous hanging glacier. We traverse right of the Dablam Glacier and climb a 40-60 degree snow rib to the summit. From the summit the views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are outstanding.
Recommendation/Preparation/Prior Skills set & experience to climb Ama Dablam–
Having prior experience climbing above 6000 meter peaks & advance experience in trekking/mountaineering , someone who has taken intermediate to advanced mountaineering courses, skill sets such as high altitude trekking/climbing knowledge, crampon techniques, glacier travel. Fixed line use, ice axe use & self arrest, rock & ice climbing, rappelling, crevasse rescue, rope knowledge including knots/anchors and extreme weather camping
PROPOSED ITINERARY–23 days in Nepal
Arrival Date-After Oct 5 2025, in Kathmandu (KTM)
Departure Date-Before Nov 25 2025
Per Person Price-TBD
Difficulty level 5 (Strenuous)
Days and Venues:
Day 1 | Arrive Kathmandu | (4593 ft.) transfer to hotel, sightseeing
Day 2 | Kathmandu | explore city, preparation
Day 3 | Flight to Lukla | (9383 ft.) Overnight
Day 4 | Trek to Monjo | (9301 ft.)
Day 5 | Namche Bazaar | (11,300 ft.)
Day 6 | Khumjung | (12,400 ft.)
Day 7 | Tengboche | (12,850 ft.)
Day 8 | Pangboche | (13,100 ft.)
Day 9 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | (15,000 ft.) Acclimatize/rest
Day 10 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | Acclimatize/rest
Day 11 | Carry Gear to Camp 1 then back to Basecamp | (18,990 ft.) | We begin our day scrambling up a boulder field near the base of Ama Dablam. We soon reach a series of rock slabs which present the first technical climbing of the route (Class 4). After gaining the slabs we arrive on the Southwest Ridge proper. Establish Camp 1 on the crest of the narrow and exposed ridge. We leave our gear at Camp 1 and return to base camp.
Day 12 | Advanced Base Camp | (17,700 ft.) Spend the night at Advanced Basecamp
Day 13 | Camp 1 | (18,900 ft.) We climb back up the ridge to Camp 1. We spend our first night on the ridge.
Day 14 | Camp 2 | (19,500 ft.) This morning, we move to Camp 2. The technical rock climbing between Camp 1 and 2 is superb. The entire climbing route is fixed line; climbers use an ascender and sling as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and towers. We continue climbing the extremely exposed ridge on high quality rock up the great “yellow tower“. Camp 2 is perched on a narrow ledge with unbelievable exposure and amazing views of the upper mountain and surrounding peaks.
Day 15 | Camp 3 | (21,000 ft.) Today we leave Camp 2 climbing mixed rock and ice up a 50 degree snow couloir and exposed traverse along “mushroom ridge”. Camp 3 rests just beyond the famous hanging glacier that is the Ama Dablam, or “Mother’s Charm Box“ for which the mountain is named.
Day 16 | Summit Day • Ama Dablam | (22,349 ft.) then back to Camp 2.. The route climbs steeply right out of camp. We climb towards the Dablam Glacier traversing right, around some crevasses and then climb a 40-60 degree snow rib which leads to the summit. From the summit the views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are outstanding. We descend to Camp 2 for the night.
Day 17 | Contingency/Weather Day
Day 18 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | Today we make our final descent all the way to base camp.
Day 19 | Namche
Day 20 | Lukla
Day 21 | Fly to Kathmandu
Day 22 | Kathmandu
Day 23 | International Flight back
One of the most fascinating mountains on earth, Ama Dablam when viewed from nearly any angle intrigues the true alpinist spirit. Located in Nepal’s famous Everest Region, this beautiful mountain with its dominating features stands alone near the foot of the Khumbu Valley. The mountain rises nearly 10,000 feet above the Sherpa village of Pangboche, traditionally known as the last year-round settlement on the trek to Everest Base Camp. Our post-monsoon expedition climbs the classic Southwest Ridge.The route is technically challenging yet incredibly rewarding and requires a high level of proficiency on steep, exposed and technical terrain at high altitude. The mountain is known by its massive hanging glacier that is the Ama Dablam, or “Mother’s Jewel, also known as the arms of Mother protecting her child “ for which it is named.
Southwest Ridge Route –This expedition begins in the historic city of Kathmandu, known for its fascinating Nepalese culture and ancient temples. We fly to Lukla and trek along the Dudh Koshi River until arriving in the legendary village of Namche Bazaar; the main trading center of the Sherpa people and gateway to the Khumbu Valley. Over the next few days we are rewarded with amazing Himalayan views and tour the historic Tengboche monastery before arriving in Base Camp at 15,000 ft.The technical rock climbing between Camp 1 and 2 is superb. The entire climbing route is fixed line, climbers use an ascender as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and towers. Camp 2 is perched above the great “yellow tower“ on a narrow ledge with incredible views of the upper mountain. Above Camp 2 the route climbs mixed terrain up a 50 degree snow couloir and an exposed traverse along “mushroom ridge“. Camp 3 rests just beyond the famous hanging glacier. We traverse right of the Dablam Glacier and climb a 40-60 degree snow rib to the summit. From the summit the views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are outstanding.
Recommendation/Preparation/Prior Skills set & experience to climb Ama Dablam–
Having prior experience climbing above 6000 meter peaks & advance experience in trekking/mountaineering , someone who has taken intermediate to advanced mountaineering courses, skill sets such as high altitude trekking/climbing knowledge, crampon techniques, glacier travel. Fixed line use, ice axe use & self arrest, rock & ice climbing, rappelling, crevasse rescue, rope knowledge including knots/anchors and extreme weather camping
PROPOSED ITINERARY–23 days in Nepal
Arrival Date-After Oct 5 2025, in Kathmandu (KTM)
Departure Date-Before Nov 25 2025
Per Person Price-TBD
Difficulty level 5 (Strenuous)
Days and Venues:
Day 1 | Arrive Kathmandu | (4593 ft.) transfer to hotel, sightseeing
Day 2 | Kathmandu | explore city, preparation
Day 3 | Flight to Lukla | (9383 ft.) Overnight
Day 4 | Trek to Monjo | (9301 ft.)
Day 5 | Namche Bazaar | (11,300 ft.)
Day 6 | Khumjung | (12,400 ft.)
Day 7 | Tengboche | (12,850 ft.)
Day 8 | Pangboche | (13,100 ft.)
Day 9 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | (15,000 ft.) Acclimatize/rest
Day 10 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | Acclimatize/rest
Day 11 | Carry Gear to Camp 1 then back to Basecamp | (18,990 ft.) | We begin our day scrambling up a boulder field near the base of Ama Dablam. We soon reach a series of rock slabs which present the first technical climbing of the route (Class 4). After gaining the slabs we arrive on the Southwest Ridge proper. Establish Camp 1 on the crest of the narrow and exposed ridge. We leave our gear at Camp 1 and return to base camp.
Day 12 | Advanced Base Camp | (17,700 ft.) Spend the night at Advanced Basecamp
Day 13 | Camp 1 | (18,900 ft.) We climb back up the ridge to Camp 1. We spend our first night on the ridge.
Day 14 | Camp 2 | (19,500 ft.) This morning, we move to Camp 2. The technical rock climbing between Camp 1 and 2 is superb. The entire climbing route is fixed line; climbers use an ascender and sling as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and towers. We continue climbing the extremely exposed ridge on high quality rock up the great “yellow tower“. Camp 2 is perched on a narrow ledge with unbelievable exposure and amazing views of the upper mountain and surrounding peaks.
Day 15 | Camp 3 | (21,000 ft.) Today we leave Camp 2 climbing mixed rock and ice up a 50 degree snow couloir and exposed traverse along “mushroom ridge”. Camp 3 rests just beyond the famous hanging glacier that is the Ama Dablam, or “Mother’s Charm Box“ for which the mountain is named.
Day 16 | Summit Day • Ama Dablam | (22,349 ft.) then back to Camp 2.. The route climbs steeply right out of camp. We climb towards the Dablam Glacier traversing right, around some crevasses and then climb a 40-60 degree snow rib which leads to the summit. From the summit the views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are outstanding. We descend to Camp 2 for the night.
Day 17 | Contingency/Weather Day
Day 18 | Ama Dablam Base Camp | Today we make our final descent all the way to base camp.
Day 19 | Namche
Day 20 | Lukla
Day 21 | Fly to Kathmandu
Day 22 | Kathmandu
Day 23 | International Flight back