Kharta Glacier

Kharta is a region in Tibet lying to the east of Mount Everest and centred on the Kharta valley and Kama valley. The 40-kilometre (25 mi) Kharta valley starts at the col at Lhakpa La at the head of the Kharta Glacier from which the Kharta Chu river flows east to join the Phung Chu just beyond Khata village. Nearby to the south, the Kama valley starts at the Kangshung Glacier at the foot of Everest's Kangshung Face, and the Kama Chu flows southeast to the Phung Chu. The 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition discovered Kharta when reconnoitring ways to climb Mount Everest and managed to reach the North Col via the Lhakpa La. Since that time Kharta has not been used as a way to approach the summit of Everest but the two valleys have become a popular area for trekking.

Starting at 6,849 metres (22,470 ft) at Lhakpa La the Kharta Glacier descends about 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) over a distance of some 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to its snout. The 7,227-metre (23,711 ft) mountain Khartaphu is on the north of the col with Lakpa Ri (7,045 metres (23,114 ft)) and Kartse (6,507 metres (21,348 ft)) to the south. A second glacier descends from Kharta Changri (7,056 metres (23,149 ft)) to the north, converging into the main glacier. Beyond and below the Lhakpa La to the west is the East Rongbuk Glacier, the traditional route for ascending Everest from the north. The glacial river Kharta Chu goes east for the length of the valley and then flows into the Phung Chu at a height of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft). The Phung Chu (called the Arun river in Nepal) descends a deep gorge as it cuts through Himalaya to join the Kosi River above Chatra Gorge.

The Kama valley lies to the south, at its head being the Kangshung Glacier at the foot of the Kangshung Face of Everest. Kama Chu descends the valley southeast and somewhat parallel with Kharta Chu. Several passes cross north-south between the two valleys, the main ones being Karpo La, Langma La and Shao La.

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