In view of the success and in order to give more candidates the chance to participate in the Beyond Limits expeditions, we are offering as two programmes in 2010.

For the amateurs of a challenging climb of more than 6.000m in the climbing paradise Nepal, we have chosen the ascent of the Dhampus Peak (6.013m) in the Dhaulagiri mountains.

General

Nepal officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepali: ), is a landlocked country in South Asia and the world's youngest republic. It is bordered to the north by the Peoples Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India.

History

A monarchy throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. However, a decade-long People's Revolution by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) along with several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties of Nepal in 2006, culminated in a peace accord and the ensuing elections for the constituent assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the abdication of the last Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in May 28, 2008.

Geography

Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north contains eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. By some measures, Hinduism is practiced by a greater majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama who as the Buddha Gautama gave birth to the Buddhist tradition. About half of the population live below the international poverty line of USD 1.25 a day.

The Mountain Region, situated in the Great Himalayan Range, makes up the northern part of Nepal. It contains the highest elevations in the world including 8,850 meters (29,035 ft) height Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) on the border with China. Seven other of the world's eight thousand meter peaks are in Nepal or on its border with China: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

More info on Nepal on Wikipedia

Expedition

Ascent of Dhampus Peak

Dhampus Peak lays Northeast of the big Dhaulagiri massif. It is in terms of climbing technicalities an easy mountain to ascent. The overwhelming altitude differences between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges make Dhampus Peak a very exposed spot to observe the scenery from. Having Tukuche Peak (6920m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) spectacularly near you enjoy the feeling of being part of the extreme altitudes of the Himalayas. The biggest mountain range in the world with uninterrupted heights between seven and eight thousand meters, containing Annapurna -1, 2, 3 & 4, Annapurna-South, The Nilgiris and Tilicho Peak tower above the horizon in the South.

The 3500-meter ascent from Tukuche, where our climb starts, makes you feel having gone really high. The normal route to Dhampus Peak follows the west-ridge, which connects Dhampus Pass (5200m), where our highest camp is placed, with the summit. For acclimatized people we have a 6-day schedule starting from the High Plains Inn in Tukuche. Though this expedition exceeds the 6000-meter frontier, no technical climbing skills are required. The use of crampons depends on snow conditions. This means any experience in walking on snow/ice is advisable. As there are no steep pitches and no glacier traverses at all, we won't be roped together. Hence knowledge about knots and rescue operations are also not required.

Good physical health and mental perseverance necessary.