Gongga Gompa

Also named Gongga Monastery, it is one of the three major Kargyupa monasteries(the other two are Palpung Monatery in Dege and Tsupu Monastery near Lhasa) first funded by zabibo who was a student of the first Kargyupa Rinpoche in the middle of 13th century. This monastery is also known well by the Tibetan Buddhists as the home of a great Pandita, the Gongga Rinpoche Karmashdjo. It has long been a place for many Buddhist to practice meditation.

This Gompa was the first basecamp for Minya Konka climbers for many years. The Gonmpa from inside is rather like a countyard with the left side temples for gods the other three sides are dormitories for dwellers mostly climbers and backpackers. The rooms have no lights, no shower and no bathrooms. It only has very basic beds.

Minya Konka Base SW Camp

About 15 kms northwest to the Gongga Gompa, the SW Base Camp is one day's hike into the deep valley towards Minya Konka at an elevation of near 5000 meters. This the southwest base camp for the Minya Konka climbers. 5 out of 8 successful climbings are from here than the other side: Northeast in Yanzigou. Large flows of rocks were pushed down little by little by the melting water in spring and flood in summer. The campsite was set near a very small outpost monastery called the minor Gongga Gompa. The trail from the Gongga Gompa to the Base Camp is unrecognizable as it changes once in a while. Weather changes dramarically over there. Climbing is an expedition many suggest to be well-equipped and well-supplied.