Baruntse 7129M Peak
How do I prepare to climb Baruntse 7129m expedition?
Planning your next 7000er expedition to Baruntse 7129M Peak? Your pre-requisite previous experiences of climbing 4000M - 6500M+ semi/technical peaks are a must. The climbing route in Baruntse is considerably safer and semi-technical in difficulty but like any high-altitude mountain expedition, you need to have a well-rehearsed understanding and the right experiences. The major technical crux is at the 6900M ridge leading to the summit. Be ready for an exposed climb.
In this blog article, we will recommend prerequisite expeditions that will help you to be ready for the Baruntse expedition. The journey of climbing Baruntse peak is for everyone. (Yes, even if you have summited Everest, K2, or other tougher peaks). Mountain climbers are in love with the process of climbing, the journey, and not just the summits. If you are a novice/beginner climber, you are a few years and expeditions away before taking on this amazing peak. For experienced climbers, once you assess our recommendations below, should this expedition satisfy your next mountaineering adventure, then please get in touch with our team as we plan the Baruntse climb every year. (Spring/autumn).
Baruntse Expedition is for intermediate+ to pro experience level climbers. Now you know what it takes to climb this 7000M mountain, let’s start with our step-by-step expedition recommendations.
Step 1 (Novice level to Beginner Level)
If you are an absolute beginner who has never been to any previous high-altitude adventures trekking or climbing and somehow you are inspired and dream of climbing Baruntse one day, then we can suggest these peaks, to begin with. With our team in Nepal, you can participate in our introductory expeditions to Introduction to Mountaineering - Yala Peak 5732M or Mera Peak 6476M to begin your mountaineering journey. This expedition’s objective will be to teach you the basics and fundamentals of mountaineering, test/expose yourself to any high-altitude environment on a non-technical peak climbing adventure in Nepal or around the world. You will have to be in a good shape (run 5K, 2-3 times a week coupled with strength sessions) and upon completion, this experience will give you the confidence to climb other higher and semi-technical peaks.
Expedition Outcomes
Introduction and learn the basics of mountaineering
Learn the basics or mountaineering from certified local guides
High altitude experiences
Fun times in the mountains
Step 2 (Beginner to intermediate level) Lobuche East & Island Peak
At this level, you should have been exposed to climbing in mountains. You have the understanding and experience on the fitness/mental level required during mountain expeditions. At the beginner to intermediate level, you will further learn climbing at high altitude with some technical pitch sections. Meaning you will be re-introduced to all the previous basic climbing skills adding further technical climbs. You will learn to navigate mixed rocky/snow/ice sections. Scrambling/traversing on exposed sections and jumaring on the fixed-line rope to take on vertical sections of the mountains.
These skills are very necessary as you progress on your mountaineering journey and expeditions of this type will give you that extra confidence to take on other tougher and technically challenging peaks in the Himalayas or around the world. We recommend peaks such as Island Peak 6189M + Lobuche East 6019M, Khumbu Three Peak Expedition, Chulu West 6419M, Three Peak Peru, expeditions for climbers at this stage. This expedition provides all the technical and physical challenges for climbers looking to progress at the Intermediate/+ level.
Expedition Outcomes
Introduction or Re-introduction to classic mountaineering climbs
Familiratisation with technical climbing gears
Climbing/scrambling/traversing in mixed section. (i.e- rock/ice/snow)
Experience climbing on exposed sections. (i.e. Ridge and couliors)
Jumaring in fixed-line to climb vertical sections.
Abseiling/Rappel several hundred feet down on fixed-line
Summits and small-scale expedition environment, tons of climbing fun
Step 3 (Intermediate to +/Advanced level)
Baruntse Expedition route
At this stage, you are all ready for Baruntse 7129M Expedition. Like any mountaineering adventure, Baruntse climbing should not be underestimated. The climbing routes are well exposed starting around 6900M. With the assistance of your guide and attached to a fixed rope you will be climbing uphill on the ridge-cornice section for an extended period of time and lots of abseiling down. You will have to be mentally/physically ready and your confidence/experience is super key.
Expedition of this nature will test you, where all your previous knowledge of climbing/scrambling/traversing in the exposed mixed section will be put to test. There will be two high alpine camps and longer days at higher altitudes. You are constantly exposed to the forces of nature and mentally/physically you are challenged for an extended period of time compared to your previous expeditions. Baruntse expeditions will be longer, more demanding, tougher, and technically, physically, and mentally challenging than your previous climbs. You will also have to learn how to co-operate as a team, there may be some weak links in the team so you will have to adjust, and understand how grouped expedition runs, allowing everyone to achieve the same goal of summiting a 7000M peak, as well as developing their skills and experiences further to take on much more technically demanding and together peaks.
Expedition outcomes
Developing climbing skills at 7000M level.
Understanding of full expedition setups
Climbing/scrambling/traversing in mixed section. (i.e- rock/ice/snow) at higher altitudes above 6000M.
Longer exposure to climbing on exposed sections. (i.e. 6900M Ridge and steep couloirs)
Jumaring in fixed-line to climb vertical sections.
Abseiling/Rappel in longer and exposed ridge sections.
Testing your physical and mental ability and pure grit at extreme altitudes.
Summits and climbing moments at 7000M level
Bonus - Step 2. 1 even 8000ers or Pro level climbers (Grades TD+)
This is a bonus step. Many experienced climbers are attracted to the remoteness and challenge of climbing Baruntse Peak. Even after completing 8000er peaks like Everest, Manaslu, Makalu, K2, and Ama Dablam climbers return to enjoy the climb at this 7000M peak. So if you have done 8000M peaks then you are 100% qualified for Baruntse expedition. You will already have an understanding of big mountain expeditions and what it takes to climb challenging mountains.
Similarly, if you consider yourself a pro-level ice climber who can take on vertical 300M - 400M ice walls at higher altitudes (WI- 4 to WI- 5) then you are already set for Baruntse Expedition. Probably trying other challenging routes is more for climbers at this level. Why not try new projects and exciting high-altitude adventures?
Bonus for pro climbers - This peak has other 3 challenging routes so climbing those routes with your trusted partners is the one to explore.
Planning to climb Baruntse Peak 7129M? You do not have the right experiences or need help preparing for 7000M climbs? Our team is here to understand your goals and help you plan strategically with the right experiences. Please go through our Alpine /fitness grades (link) to understand the difficulty and climbing grades of Baruntse and other peaks. We hope the guidance and suggestion on this blog post have helped you to have an understanding of what it takes to climb Baruntse Peak. There are a lot of other factors when climbing any extremely high altitude technical peaks in the Himalayas. Our team can help you prepare in the best way gaining the right experience to complete your dream of climbing Baruntse 7129M peak.