With an elevation range of 6000m, Sagarmatha National Park, the highest national park in the world, sits well above the sky and amongst the Himalayan range. It encompasses a dramatic variety of landscapes and a diverse ecology.
As a guest of this national park traverses along its deep valley or the ridge of the range of mountains, he is constantly lavished with a magnificent vista which features a range of famous peaks such as Everest, Lobuche, Nuptse and Lhotse.
In this 3-part series, we will first take you on a visual journey and appreciate the varying life zones at different altitudinal zones. In the remaining 2 parts of the series, we will describe in details of our trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp.
Montane zone (Lukla to Namche)
At lower altitudes of around 2860m to 3440m, abundance of oxygen level, rainfall and sunlight favourably supports a rich ecology of wild life and vegetation. As we were hiking at these altitudes, we found ourselves surrounded by an assemblage of plant species – predominantly blue pine forest and birch forest, with an occasional mix of bamboo and firs.
For a hiker with an untrained eye, it is unlikely to spot Himalayan wolves, Himalayan black bear or the snow leopards (not that any of us would really want to encounter them out in the wild). It would however be cool to spot either a marten, red panda or a Himalayan Tahr.
Speaking of which, we actually did spot one wild Himalayan Tahr! Look at its majestic stance at a photo below!
Sherpas settlements and other indigenous tribes are mostly found at these altitudes. Trade and tourism creates an intermittent flow of domesticated dzo (hybrid of yak & cow), goats, horses and cows along the footpaths of the National Park. These livestock also provide food (milk, not meat as Sherpas have a spiritual connection with the animals) and raw materials (such as wool for blankets and manure as fuel).
Subalpine zone (Namche to Tengboche)
Just before leaving Namche (at 3440m), we spotted the national bird of Nepal – Danphe (a.k.a Himalayan Monal)
The transit from 3400 to 3600m was akin to crossing an invisible boundary. Vegetation becomes drastically sparse; trees were mostly replaced by shrubs and even if there are trees, they are starkly dwarf-sized and covered in lichens and moss (in shaded areas).
From here on, pockets of settlements are found scattered around the park. Dzo and donkeys, that are adapted to lower altitudes, still ply the routes from Namche to Tengboche.
Alpine zone (Tengboche to Dingboche)
At 3900m, snow, ice, mosses and lichens takes the main stage of the landscape. Surrounded by peaks, the sun sets earlier and darkness comes quicker. Dzo and donkeys and no longer part of the equation.
Instead, wild yaks can now be seen lying across plain fields of yellow shrubs and grass. Yaks are adapted to high altitudes and are generally not found to be lower than 3000m. And their “raw” material – its manure – becomes an essential source of heat.
As we picked ourselves up from the restive mood, a Tibetan Mastiff bid us farewell. Incidentally, we took a glimpse of what laid ahead and we were pretty sure we were about to step into a whole new environment.
Snow zone (Dingboche to Everest Base Camp)
The snow zone is one that is covered with rocks, snow and ice. Aside from the prayer flags, there were only two other primary colours filling the landscape – grey and white. Here punishing temperatures and almost inhospitable altitude started to take its toll on its fatigued guests. To add the sombreness of our moods, the occasional harsh caw of the crows were heard above in the skies.
Up at this altitudinal zone of 5000m above sea level, other than humans, it is close to lifeless.
Conclusion
Join us in the next series and be a part of our journey towards the Everest Base Camp!
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