- Program Details
- Date and Price
- Itinerary
- Service Details
- Gallery
About this Expedition
Mt. Wukuchu is a new 5500+m mountain to climb in recent year in China. Mt. Wukuchu is 5526-m located in Daxueshan Range south in southwest Kangding in Shangchengzi Village. It is estimated a medium technical 5000er with easy logistics and relatively short approach that a climbing trip there usually takes around a week’s time. Climbing Mt. Wukuchu has good views of glaciers, mountains, lakes, etc. A huge glaciers by its northwest is rarely seen in 5000-m mountains. This Mountain was first explored by expedition companies in Chengdu from 2020. There are two summits of Wukuchu, one is 5518 and the higher one is 5526m with a very rocky col connecting the two summits. The trip goes to the east summit by 5518m.
Program at a Glance
(optional 2 extra days prior to trip for acclimating is recommended for a higher chance of successful summiting)
Day 01 Chengdu – Xinduqiao (3400m)
Day 02 Xinduqiao – Shangchengzi Village (3700m)
Day 03 Shangchengzi – Base Camp (4300m)
Day 04 Base Camp – Camp 1 (5000m)
Day 05 Camp 1 – Summit – Shangchengzi (3700m)
Day 06 Shangchengzi - Chengdu
What to Expect
Short Approach
Mt. Wukuchu has probably the shortest approach of all the mountains in China. One can access base camp by off-road cars/ The distance from base camp to the summit is only 6.5km. From base camp one can see the climbing route. It requires less physical effort than many other 5500ers in China.
Straightforward Logistics
An off-road vehicle can get you to the 4300m base directly, making logistics super easy and one can even enjoy a relatively luxury time by base camp. This also means easier logistics after base camp overall. This has made this trip possible to be done in a week.
Good Technical Training
With short approach and convenient logistics, the technical part of the climb is another highlight despite its elevation is at only around 5500m. From C1 to the summit is has different terrain and trains on different techniques of climbing on snow, glacier, ridge and mixed climbing. Its technical level is higher than Mt. Nama and Mt. Yuzhu.
Climbing Part
Higher part of Mt. Wukuchu is covered in snow and glacier. From BC to C1 is mainly scrambling on rocks. The best climb is from C1 to the summit that one walks around 1.5km on glacier before reaches the icefall where it gets steep for around 150m that requires proper climb before one gets on the ridge, from there it’s exposed mixed climb on rocks and snow. It is a good 5000-m technical training mountain.
Available Dates 2024:
30 Apr - 05 May;
06 Jun - 11 Jun;
16 Sept - 21 Sept;
02 Oct - 07 Oct;
20 Oct - 25 Oct.
Price: 8800 yuan PP
Upfront Payment 4000yuan, Rest of Payment due 15 Days prior to departure date.
Price Inclusions:
Mountain Guide;
Lodging and Tents at campsites;
Campsite food (B&D): meals above BC are basic mountain food;
Shared climbing gears;
The carrying of 15kg for each before BC;
Climbing Permits;
Logistics and Medical Support;
Necessary transfers as per plan.
Price Exclusions:
Flights/trains, accommodations and meals in Chengdu and other personal expenses;
Lunches;
Personal gears including personal technical gears (including crampons, harness, helmet, climbing boots, ice axe, etc can be arranged);
Horse-riding, personal porter service;
Summit Certificate;
Optional porter service above BC;
Fapiao;
Optional tips to guide and porter.
Cancelation
As costs happen after confirmation, the following refunding policies are applicable when a cancelation happens:
Cancelation 30 days prior to departure date, full refund;
Cancelation 16-30 days prior to departure date, 50% refund;
Cancelation within 15 days prior to departure date, no refund.
01. This is a standard trip to Mt. Wukuchu, however we recommend you to add more time prior to this trip for better acclimating to have usually a higher chance of successful summiting.
02. There could be minor changes of locations for overnight/distance of walking each day given possible changing weather, road/trail conditions, etc.
03. This trip is customizable to better fit your pace.
04. Climbing trips involve uncertainties such as extreme weather, changing trail conditions etc, that may delay or extend your trip. We recommend you to plan extra days for such trips especially when coming to booking departure flights.
Itineraries
Day 01
Chengdu – Xinduqiao (3300m)
Drive from Chengdu to Xinduqiao for aroubd 6-7 hours and acclimate yourself after arrival at this 3400m small town. Overnight hotel.
Day 02
Xinduqiao – Shangchengzi Village (3700m)
From Xinduqiao drive for around 3 hours to get to Shangchengzi Village at around 3700m. In the afternoon acclimate yourself and training for using technical gears. Overnight basic lodge.
Day 03
Shangchengzi – Base Camp (4300m)
After breakfast we use local transfer from the village to get to base camp at around 4300m. Please note the road is very basic and bumpy that some parts of the drive we need to get down the car for safety reasons. We will have the last 2-3km walking on foot depending on the road condition and also to acclimate ourselves to the altitude. After arrival we will do more acclimating and training on using gears if necessary.
Day 04
Base Camp – Camp 1 (5000m)
From BC to C1 it is around 5km on relatively difficult terrain that will usually take around 5-6 hours. Everyone has a less than 12kg personal gear that we will take care for you for the day to C1. After arrive the camp, take care of yourself and acclimate yourself.
Day 05
Camp 1 – Summit – Shangchengzi (3700m)
We start by 2-4am in the morning and equipped with technical gears before set off. There is total 1.5km technical part before reaching summit after C1 that normally takes around 4-5 hours. After onto glacier we reach the wall and climb up and continue to the ridge and then to the summit. After a short stay by the summit we go down the same way. From summit back to base camp it is 6.5km and usually takes around 4-6 hours. By base camp we will have a short break while repacking and from base camp we will use car to transfer to the village. Please note today to go to the summit there is a time limit, meaning if you don’t reach certain point at certain time you won’t be going up but rather to go down without summiting.
Day 06
Shangchengzi - Chengdu
Today drive back to Chengdu for around 8-9 hours.
Service Details
Service-Oriented Expeditions:
Most comfortable possible BC;
Detailed expedition briefing;
Light-packing while the heavy gears are taken care by the packhorses;
High-quality gears;
Separate Kitchen by BC, clean drinking water;
Variety of food choices provided by experienced outdoor chef;
Well-experienced Mountain Guides:
Years of training and climbing;
Guides have done this climb many times and have the knowledge about the climb;
Guide knows the risks and the counter-measures;
All guides have AHA certificate;
Safety is Everything:
a.Most sufficient possible acclimating as shown in the program;
b.Well-equipped communication gear including satellite phone and radios;
c.Medical support including oxygon;
d.First response system
Before Signing Up
a. Exprience of former treks, climbs at high altitude including at least one trip to above 4000m that requires long hours of trekking, or experience of climbing on snow & ice, rope-involved climbs.
b. More climbing techniques or ice-climbing experiences will help a successful summit to Mt. Name but these are not mandatory.
c. A form will be sent to you for personal experience checking and assessment according to each individual based on your experience etc.
d. If you are not sure about if you are up to this trip, please send your inquiry.
e. A healthy physical condition is required before sign up. You are not opt to sign up such trip if you have any major ailments, cardiovascular disease; heart cerebrovascular disease; cardio-cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, cardiac disease, etc, any former surgeries shall be made known to us. Consult your doctor before sign up for such trip.
f. Advices given by your guide is crucial. There are unpredictables in a climbing trip, signing up on such trip may expect minor or even major changes of plan. Safety is the first priority under any circumstances. All mountain guides are working under safety guidelines in a climbing trip. Any injuries or death caused by factors out of our control or by your own activity against our suggestion, will be on your own responsibility.
g. Please care nature and take your trash with you all the time, don’t harm plants and animals;
h. Please give care to the gears provided.
Expeditions Risks
By Signing up to this trip, you understand and accept the risks below:
1. Expedition such as this, requires certain level of physical performance and has risks from nature, your own activity under certain circumstances, your master on using of gears, performance of your own personal gears, terrain, weather, etc
2. We have insurance purchased for each climber. Any accident or incident that will require compensation will be done via insurance.
3. We are not responsible for results caused by your acting against our advices.
Suggested Personal Gears
Shared gears will be provided including whole set for BC, ropes, etc
Personal gears need to be prepared by yourself:
Personal technical gears: Climbing boots, crampons, ice axe(ice tool), helmet, harness, carabiners and locking carabiners, ascender and descender, belay devices, sling (renting available, around 500/P)
Personal gears: Duffel bag, 20L-30L summit pack, approaching boots, heavy down jacket (200g and above), fleece jacket and pants, wind-breaker jacket and pants, quick-dry underwears, hats and warm-keeping hats, socks and warm socks, gloves and warm/water-resilient gloves, headtorch, sunglasses, thermal/water bottle, lip oil, sun cream, gaiters, sleeping bag (comfort temp -15, mat), walking poles, personal utensils and toiletories, personal high-energy snacks for lunches,.
If you are not sure about your list of packing, please send your inquiry.
