Shishapangma Expedition

The Shisha Pangma, at an altitude of 8,027 metres, is one of the world’s most famous eight-thousanders. Even though it is the smallest of this group of giants, it is still the fourteenth highest mountain on the planet! “The area above the grassy plain,” as described by the Tibetan name “Shisha Pangma,” is the view of the mountain from the north. 

Originally, a much more spiritual Indian name (Gosainthan) was used to describe this extraordinary peak, which means “place of the saints” in English. Despite its proximity to the Chinese-Nepalese border, the Himalayan giant is the only eight-thousand-meter peak entirely within Chinese territory, and it is also easy to reach from Kathmandu. 

Shisha Pangma, despite being the smallest and one of the easier eight-thousanders, was the last to be climbed, with a Chinese expedition making the first ascent in 1964. The expedition’s leader at the time, Xu Jing, the “Master of Mountaineering,” had already served as deputy leader of the 1960 Everest ascent. 

His team’s route has become the standard route from the northern side, leading the majority of climbers to the summit to this day. Shisha Pangma is considered to be relatively easy to climb in comparison to the other mountain giants, making it particularly appealing to newcomers above the 8,000-meter mark and as a warm-up for even bigger and more difficult mountain giants.  

Because of its location and the national Chinese and regional Tibetan authorities’ restrictions on foreigners visiting this region, the last 8000 metres peak was climbed by a Chinese expedition in May 1964.  This northern route climbs the Northwest face and is relatively easy to get to until you reach the advanced Base Camp at 5500 metres above sea level. 

Shishapangma is located five kilometres from the Nepali border on the north side of the Himalayan crest in south-central Tibet. We travel to Tibet after receiving our Chinese visa and drive through the fascinating Tibetan high Plateau until we reach Shishapangma Base Camp.

Packing for Your Next Adventure: Everything You Need to Know
The key to having a good time in the mountains is to be organized and plan ahead. In addition to all of your training, ensuring that you have the appropriate equipment is an important aspect of preparing for your trip. Choosing the proper equipment will give you an extra comfort and safety boost, so you can be at your best while still enjoying yourself. It’s essential to have the right gear with you to get the most out of your trip. To help you better prepare for the mountain you will be climbing, we have provided a complete packing guide.

8000M EQUIPMENT LIST

Our training goal is to get you physically and mentally prepared to face the climb with more confidence. The climbing goal will be to perform consistently throughout the adventure. Fitness for mountaineering requires a high overall level of physical conditioning. Both cardiovascular and motor fitness are needed to climb at varying levels of intensity and to navigate challenging terrain, often while carrying a loaded pack and at high altitudes.

Training goals are critically important and allow you to perform better at higher altitudes and enjoy the entire adventure. We suggest that you examine the physical requirements of the climb you are approaching and work on your fitness in different levels. Click here to Learn more about Trip Grades and choose what’s best for you!

Establish a timeline for your training program and focus on specific conditioning for better results. Along with your workouts try and add hikes and climbs in the outdoors whenever possible to get more comfortable with different terrains. Sound fitness gained through a well-guided program is the only best way to ensure a safe and successful adventure.

Mountaineering Fitness and Training
It may also be helpful to break down your training timeline into a number of key phases. These are:

Phase 1 : Base physical fitness
The first phase of getting prepared for your climb is to focus on your base fitness. You should incorporate a fitness routine that focuses on both cardiovascular fitness and motor fitness training. For those who are not used to intense workouts this phase will help you to kickstart your training. Remember that consistency is the first most important factor in achieving any goal. Combine your basic fitness regimes along with running and stair climbing. You are now ready for outdoor adventures.

Phase 2 : Training specific for the climb
Once you have established your base physical fitness, you will need to train specifically for the climb. Depending on the difficulty and intensity of the climb, add advanced workout sessions combined with uphill training. Try and do the same fitness routines with some added loads. Strength training combined with cardiovascular and motor fitness will help with the overall conditioning. This will take your workouts to the next level and help gear up for the mountaineering challenge ahead.

Phase 3 : Outdoor Training
Nothing can replace training in the real outdoors. In the final phase of your training, you should be attempting climbs which are similar to the ones you are approaching. It is great to test your endurance outdoors. This gives you a great edge in preparing for conditions similar to the ones you will encounter during your expedition. It isn’t always possible to find similar terrains close to where you live, but it is best to find a hike as close to the climb as possible. This is the best way to test your climbing gears as well.
Training goals and timeline

Working out for at least 5 days in a week is the best way to get your body physically prepared for the climb ahead. Regular and consistent training always gives the best result and keeps you highly motivated. Make sure that you workout regularly and also give enough time for rest and recovery. Keep it balanced and have a properly planned fitness routine and never overdo exercises to the point of injury. While 2 to 3 months is a good amount of time to train, starting your training earlier allows more time to adjust and prepare.

Click here to learn more about Training for your Upcoming Climb and get ready for the adventure!