Starting at at Lhakpa La the Kharta Glacier descends about over a distance of some to its snout. The mountain Khartaphu is on the north of the col with Lakpa Ri () and Kartse () to the south. A second glacier descends from Kharta Changri () to the north, converging into the main glacier. Beyond and below the Lhakpa La to the west is the East Rongbuk Glacier, the traditional route for ascending Everest from the north. The glacial river Kharta Chu goes east for the length of the valley and then flows into the Phung Chu at a height of . The Phung Chu (called the Arun river in Nepal) descends a deep gorge as it cuts through Himalaya to join the Kosi River above Chatra Gorge.