Climbing the Magnificent Himalayas

Fancy doing some Asia mountaineering? The Himalayas are the highest mountain ranges found in Asia, ranging from a barrier in the north at Plateau of Tibet and at the south in the Indian subcontinent. The Himalayas have astonishingly over one hundred and ten peaks rising to 24,000 feet above sea level, which is approximately 7,300 meters. They host the highest peak in the world, Everest, which is 29,035 feet above sea level, approximately 8,850 meters. Undoubtedly, Everest has always been the ultimate challenge in conquering mountain climbing.

Everest

Everest
Everest

Reaching the summit of Everest is a challenge that climbers should add to their basket list: it's an indeed challenging, yet exciting terrain, and conquering the peak is every climber's ultimate goal.

The first people to reach the summit of Mt. Everest were Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Thereafter many climbers have considered conquering this mountain to be one of the greatest achievements in mountaineering.

Many mountaineers derive great pleasure from climbing the Himalayas, but great caution is taken with the authorities to ensure the safety of the climbers: one can only climb during seasons when the weather is permitting and there is no icefall. In 2014, for example, climbing was canceled due to huge amounts of snowfall.

It is worth noting that over 2,200 hundred people have attempted climbing to the top of Everest, and 200 of them have lost their lives, mostly due to the bad weather or the oxygen supply getting exhausted. However, this has not discouraged people from going on to this adventure at all. As years go by, more and more people register to conquer the highest point on Earth.

The Nepalese live at the South of the mountain and refer the mountain as Sagarmatha, which translates "Goddess of the sky", or "Forehead of the sky." The Tibetans occupy the north of the mountain and call it Chomolungma, or "Mother goddess of the world."

Climbing the Magnificent Himalayas
Climbing the Magnificent Himalayas

There are over 18 discovered routes that one can use to climb the mountain, but only two are used mainly: the South Col and the North Col route, also known as the Northeast Ridge Standard.

To climb the mountain, one needs a guide or a Sherpa. A climb can be managed via an organization that caters for the guide and sometimes even the gear to wear up. Fees paid to the facilitators vary, and one can get a great deal by checking on the various organizations that cater for the climb. The services provided by the facilitators can also include offering oxygen, all the group gear, weather prediction services, and consultation and support during the climb.

It is interesting to note that as one nears the peak, they are required to put on their oxygen supply due to the low amount of oxygen that is found at the top of the mountain. Some of the risks that come with climbing Everest are weather and the wind, altitude sickness, and icefall.


Kangchenjunga

The best peaks in Asia for Mountaineering

Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga

Asia hosts the highest mountains in the world, ranging from Mt. Everest standing at 29,029 feet above sea level, Kangchenjunga, which is 28, 169 feet above sea level, and Lhotse, which is 27,940 meters above sea level, to smaller ones like Doi Ching Dao at 7,136 meters above sea level and Mt. Santuborg, which is 2,658 feet above sea level.

Most climbers would find it exciting to do mountaineering in Asia. The mountains boast of diversity due to their heights and the different weather in each mountain, depending on the location as one climbs higher.

Since the Himalayas are very high, they prevent summer monsoon winds from crossing over: on the side of Nepal it is green, foresty, and teeming with life, while Tibet, which is to the North, is a desert with high altitude and dry winds without moisture passing over.

Expeditions to the Himalayas take place during the spring or autumn. Climbing Chinese Pamirs is recommended during summer since the monsoon winds barely reach there, and therefore, it is much colder and more dangerous for climbing.

For those who are not experienced in climbing it's better to start with easier mountains, such as the Mera Peak found in Nepal, or Stok Kangri in India. These are easy to climb and don't require sophisticated gear, which makes them the best choice for starters. Climbing these mountains can best be referred to as trekking, and their peaks are non-technical, meaning they do not require much technique to be reached.

However, for experienced climbers, peaks like Putha Hiunchuli and Ama Dablam are a great way to test their technical expertise: they are challenging to climb, use proper gear, and manage their time well while climbing up to the peaks.

Ice Axe

Ice Axe
Ice Axe

Climbing mountains from the easy ones to the complicated ones ranges from one week to two months, depending on one's pace and the weather. Experience in using the gear provided directly determines how long one will take to climb to the peak.

Even in climbing the mountains that are rather small, one will need gear, such as clothing tailored for mountaineering expeditions. They may include lightweight shells, down jackets, wind suits, and sleeping bags. A plus is that you don't need to buy these, and the organizations that organize your trek can offer them at an agreed price.

However, there are some important tips to know. One should practice before going for the mountain climbing activities to ensure they are fit, and if going for the more complicated climbs, to acclimatize to prevent being affected by altitude sickness and adjusting to the weather.

The climbs in Mera Peak and Stok Kangri are accessible by walkers who are looking to extend their experience to higher altitudes. They are low angled, therefore do not take much energy. However, basic knowledge on the use of ice-axe and crampon techniques are required because of the snow, effort, and luck, plus sheer determination is required to be sure it is going to be a success.

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