Megke Glacier, The Ultimate Tour

The Mengke Glacier, China

The Touming Mengke Glacier lies in the Laohu Valley of Subei County in China's Gansu Province and has been listed in the National Geographical Journal of China as one of the country's six most beautiful glaciers. It has also been described by Gansu authorities as "easy to approach and climb", and, although the glacier may be a spectacular attraction, not much about experiencing it can be described as easy.

This 10.1 kilometer long and 21.9 kilometer square glacier lies on Daxue Mountain and is the biggest valley glacier in the both Qilian Range and in Northern China. It is, however, in a rather remote area and can only be reached through a complicated combination of flights and dirt track routes. The glacier's summit is 5,481m above sea level, and those tourists intent on climbing it usually make an initial stop at the base camp, which, at 4,200m above sea level, is taller than many mountains. As the base camp is so high, tourists may find themselves experiencing difficulties in acclimatizing to the area even before they have begun the climb. The local tour guides are also somewhat unpredictable and may or may not show up.

A different experience altogether is purchasing insurance and here is the best site I can recommend in the UK for churchill insurance and direct line insurance.

The 1,281m climb from base camp to the glacier's summit is not technically difficult, and climbers can set up any number of high camps to break the journey. The glacier's snow covering is, however, notoriously powdery, and the going can get very tough with climbers easily becoming tired. Climbers can usually walk most of the way up to the summit, although ropes would be recommended in wetter areas. Crevasses are another potential hazard, and climbers must be on the lookout for them at all times. Natural glacial features also include ice cracks, holes and falls, which can also be somewhat hazardous if the climber is not prepared for them.

Although the glacier, which has been described as arid, is extremely stable and exhibits an average annual retreat of under one meter, tourists are not encouraged to visit or climb it during July and August as it is then that the glacier will undergo its annual thaw. The best time to visit the Touming Mengke Glacier is between September and May, and guided tours are available.

Climbing Touming Mengke Glacier is a breathtaking experience - often literally and figuratively - and, although the journey may be difficult and dangerous at times, it is well worth it.