As Island Peak is graded Alpine 2B, suitable mountaineering experience is necessary. Island Peak is one of the most popular 6,000m peaks in Nepal. On this 3-week trip you acclimatise gradually whilst trekking up the Khumbu Valley, before climbing a lower mountain, Pokalde and then clambering on to Island Peak. For the climb you have the advantage of using a high camp placed at 5,600m, as well as a spare summit day to provide more flexibility. The ascent begins with a scramble up a rocky gully to a ridge where you put on crampons and rope up for the glacier crossing heading towards the south ridge. The route across the glacier is easy-angled, but it can be crevassed in places. From the bergshrund at the base of the headwall, 100m of snow and ice, as steep as 45° is climbed to arrive on the airy summit ridge.