The short answer
The Khumbu Glacier flows from the Everest area, passing near Base Camp and the Icefall. The Ngozumba glacier near Gokyo is among the longest in the Himalaya. Both are retreating and dirty from debris, so trails shift each year.
Key facts
- Khumbu
- Near Base Camp
- Ngozumba
- Near Gokyo
- Status
- Retreating
- Trails
- Change each year
How it works
- Know the differenceKhumbu is the Everest-side glacier; Ngozumba feeds the Gokyo lakes.
- Look from a safe placeViewpoints show the debris-covered ice.
- Respect closed trailsRoutes change after seasons.
- Ask lodge ownersThey know the current paths.
- Photograph from a distanceIce collapses can be sudden.
Living ice and rock
The Khumbu glacier flows from the Everest area, and the Ngozumba glacier near Gokyo is among the longest in Nepal. Their surfaces are covered with rock and debris, which gives them a rough, grey look.
Glaciers move and change over time. Lakes, crevasses and loose stone mean that unmarked routes can be unsafe.
Walking near glaciers
Stay on established paths, listen to your guide and avoid standing near unstable edges. Keep a safe distance from steep moraine walls.
Changing climate affects glaciers and nearby lakes, so conditions may differ from older descriptions. Ask your operator for current advice.
Insider tip
Walk only on marked routes; moraine edges and ice can be unstable.
Avoid this
Do not step onto glacier ice without a guide.
Related questions
Can I see the Khumbu Icefall?
From Kala Patthar and Base Camp you can see it from afar; climbers cross it, trekkers do not.
Are the glaciers shrinking?
Yes, research shows glaciers in the region are retreating.
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