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Passes
Col 4460 (山坳 4460) Location: 1 km southwest of Black Lake Altitude: 4,460 meters Summary: The ascent to Col 4460 offers splendid views, especially of the vast mountainous terrain north and west of Haba Snow Mt (哈巴雪山). Highly recommended in clear weather. On the way up, but before reaching the col, look for snow mountains barely visible on the north horizon. They lie within Yading Nature Reserve in southern Sichuan. From the col, you may catch a glimpse of snow mountains in the distant west. These peaks rise above the Nujiang (怒江) and Lancang (澜沧江) rivers near the border with Myanmar (缅甸). Look northwest for a magical sight, a patch of pure white floating on the horizon at a distance of 190 kilometers. That is Mount Kawagebo on the Yunnan-Tibet border. At 6,740 meters it is the highest peak in Yunnan Province. Also known as Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), Kawagebo lies on the north end of its massif. On the south end sits the awesome Mianzimu (缅茨姆), counted among the loveliest peaks on earth. To reach Col 4460, you should start from the southwest shore of Black Lake. Look for a drainage that cuts through a band of rhododendron forest on the lower slopes of Peak 4520. Follow the trail next to the drainage, pass through forest to the meadow above, then climb steeply to rocky terrain and the col. A knoll to the southwest provides extensive views. |
Cairn on Col 4460
Looking northwest from Col 4460. Meili Shan on the horizon
Telephoto of Meili Shan from Col 4460
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Divide Pass (垭口分界线)
Location: 2 km east-southeast of the Haba Snow Mountain summit Altitude: 4,180 meters Summary: The divide between Haba’s main and east summits. Expert mountaineers can mount Divide Pass for access to Haba’s east face. The terrain is too steep for mules. |
Divide Pass between the main and east peaks of Haba Snow Mt
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East Pass (东垭口)
Location: 4 km southeast of the Haba Snow Mountain summit Altitude: 4,300 meters Summary: This seldom visited pass provides access to Haba Muru Sanctuary (哈巴雪山庇护所) from the east. Notable for its superb views of Haba’s rugged east face and south ridge. East Pass can be reached on the Haba-Bendiwan Route (哈巴-本地湾路线). |
Haba Snow Mt from East Pass
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Jizhi Pass (鸡枝垭口)
Location: 3 km northwest of the Haba Snow Mountain summit Altitude: 4,330 meters Summary: The magnificent alpine scenery at Jizhi Pass includes the summit glacier, rocky crags, and the long Jizhi Valley. A person-sized cairn sits on the crest. Access via Jizhi Pass Route (鸡枝垭口路线). |
Nearing Jizhi Pass
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Miner’s Pass (矿工垭口)
Location: 3 km north-northwest of Bendiwan Village Altitude: 3,870 meters Summary: Miner’s Pass provides access from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba Muru Sanctuary. Impressive views of Haba peak and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) await the intrepid trekker who makes the journey. For more details see the Miner’s Pass Route (矿工垭口路线). |
View of Jade Dragon Snow Mt from Miner's Pass
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Pass 3770 (垭口3770)
Location: 1.6 km north of Miner's Pass Altitude: 3,770 meters Summary: This pass provides access to Haba Muru Sanctuary from the south. The hike from Miner's Pass takes 1½ hours. |
Foreground: Pass 3770. Background: main and east peaks of Haba Snow Mt
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Pass 4230 (垭口4230)
Location: ½ km northwest of Black Lake Altitude: 4,230 meters Summary: One of the finest viewpoints in the region? You’ll find it at Pass 4230. Haba Snow Mountain, topped by shining glaciers, lords over all. A cascade of lower peaks and savage crags completes the alpine splendor. Walk a short distance down from the pass for an even grander sight: Black Lake (黑海) settled in the valley below, Haba Snow Mountain soaring above. At the pass, take a moment and turn your gaze north. On a clear day you can just make out a faraway white fang. That ethereal sight is Mount Chenrezig (仙乃日), a 6,032-meter peak in Sichuan Province. It lies within Yading Nature Reserve (亚丁自然保护区) at a distance of 120 kilometers. Closer by, try locating Guongba Lake ensconced within its hanging valley. It takes an eagle eye. |
Haba Snow Mountain from near Pass 4230
Pass 4230
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