Mount Annapurna

Mount Annapurna

Annapurna is a mountain range in the Himalayas, home to the highest peaks, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, separated by the deepest Kaligandaki valley on the planet. The highest point – Annapurna Main (8091 m) with it neighbors two more peaks of the southwestern spur – Annapurna Middle (8010 m) and Annapurna East (8000 m), together forming one of the 14 eight-thousanders. Annapurna is the tenth highest peak in the world and the first to be conquered by man.

Annapurna is considered the most dangerous eight-thousanders – the death rate among climbers in all years of climbing is as high as 32% (as of March 2012). However, the mountain has become less dangerous for modern mountaineering, losing to Kanchenjunga (8586 m) – according to statistics for the period 1990 – 2008 mortality rate on Annapurna is 19.7 % against 22 % for Kanchenjunga.

The name Annapurna translates from Sanskrit as “The Goddess of Fertility.”

• Tourism
• Trekking
• Annapurna summit climbing chronology
• Interesting facts
• Annapurna movies

Tourism

The Annapurna mountain range and its surrounding areas are part of the Annapurna National Park, which has a total area of 7629 km². There are several world famous trekking routes (treks) in the national park.

More than 60% of the total number of mountain tourism enthusiasts coming to Nepal go to the Annapurna region, which attracts travelers with a variety of natural landscapes, as well as the opportunity to join the culture and life of the local population.

Trekking

There are three main trekking routes for trekking around Mount Annapurna: Jomsom Trek, Sanctuary Trek, Circuit Trek. Trekking around Annapurna is a rare opportunity to get into the heart of the Himalayas and experience the distinctive culture of the locals – Gurung, Tamang, Thakali and Pokhari. Along the way you can encounter many beautiful Buddhist monasteries, Hindu shrines, suspension bridges and gorges. The highlight is the ascent to Thorung La Pass (5416m), which offers stunning views of the Main Himalayan Range. The itinerary usually starts in ancient Kathmandu, follows mountain trails and will end in the city of Pokhara.

The highest peak in which is Annapurna I (8091 m), the tenth highest eight-thousanders in the world (out of fourteen) and the first conquered by man (1950).

Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp trek lasts about 12 days, starting from Pokhara and ending at Naya Pul. The best time to trek it is March-June or October-December. Along the way you may come across the following attractions: Annapurna Base Camp, located in the heart of the Annapurna range. From here, one can get a gorgeous view of the peaks of Annapurna, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre. One of Nepal’s best viewpoints, Poon Hill, with panoramic views of the Annapurna range during sunset, is also located here.

Trek around Annapurna

The Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Circuit is one of the most popular trekking routes along the slopes of the Annapurna mountain range in Annapurna National Park. It is notable for its scenic beauty and colorful natural attractions. It is 211 km long and takes about 20 days.

You can also stop and gain strength at Thorong La Pass, where there are two tourist camps – Thorong Pedi and Upper Camp. It starts from the village of Besisahar, part of the way follows the valley of the Marsyandi River, passing through which it is impossible not to admire the Annapurna mountain range, Manaslu, Peri Himal and Damodar Himal.

Here one can recharge at the major settlements of Dharapani, Chame, Pisang and Manang. Near the village of Ranipauwa is the Muktinath temple complex. In the Kali Gandaki valley, the trek follows through the villages of Jomsom, Marpha, Dana, Tatopan. At the end of the trek, you will climb Poon Hill, which offers a view of the eight-thousanders Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. And the finale is Nayapul, a small settlement from where you can take a bus to Pokhara. The Trek Around Annapurna can also be completed with an outing to Tilicho Lake, 16 km west of Manang village.

Jomsom Trek

Jomsom Trek is a hiking trek along the Kali Gandaki River from Nayapul to Muktinath. It is not a very popular trek, so not much crowded.

.

Other tracks

Apart from the classic tracks to Annapurna Sanktuary base camp, Annapurna Circuit trek around Annapurna passing through Thorang La Pass (5416m), there is a shorter 40km version along the Birethanti – Ghandrung – Ghorepani – Ulleri – Birethanti route. It passes amongst rice fields, villages and rainforests. The best time to trek the route is mid to late November.

Annapurna summit climbing chronology

• 1950 – On June 3, Annapurna became the first eight-thousand meter peak conquered by man. French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal made the ascent of Annapurna I
• 1970 – May 1, the first female ascent of Annapurna III (7555m) by Japanese Yunko Tabei
• 1970 – May 27, the first ascent of the south face by the British Douglas Huston and Don Whelan
.
• 1978 – October 15, the first female ascent of Annapruna I on the north face by the Dutch route. Vera Komarkova (Vera Komarkova), Irene Miller (Irene Miller) and 2 Sherpas climbed to the summit. Vera Watson and Alison Chadwick-Onyszkiewicz
died during the ascent.
• 1987 – February 3, the first winter ascent of Poles Jerzy Kukucka and Arthur Heizer
.
• 1991 – N. Czerny and S. Arsentiev became the first Russians to climb Annapurna
• 1994 – South Annapurna, 7219 m. The first winter ascent of mountaineers of the Russian Federation in the Himalayas. December 17 on the summit on the south wall climbed V. Bashkirov – the leader, V. Shataev, N. Cherny – from Moscow, A. Minibaev, V. Lobankov – from the Republic of Bashkortostan.
.
• 2010 – April 27, in one day 17 people visited the summit of Annapurna I, among them – the Russian climber Sergei Bogomolov, for whom Annapurna became the thirteenth conquered eight-thousanders
.
• 2013 – On October 9, Swiss climber Steck, Uli made a solo ascent of the South Face of Annapurna, but some climbers and mountain guides questioned his ascent, due to the fact that Uli could not provide evidence of his stay on the summit of Annapurna . Two weeks later, a double team of French climbers climbed the route.

Interesting facts

• The French climbers who made the first ascent of Annapurna in 1950 had originally planned to climb Dhaulagiri, but after reconnoitering, they found the mountain impregnable and went to Annapurna. Dhaulagiri was conquered 10 years later – a Swiss-Austrian team climbed the peak on May 13, 1960
.
• Although Annapurna was the first eight-thousand-meter peak to be conquered, it was no longer the record altitude climbed by man at that point in time – when attempting Everest in 1924, Edward Norton reached an altitude of 8,570 meters, and George Mallory and Andrew Irwin reached over 8,600 meters (as estimated by Noel Odell). Some researchers believe that Mallory and Irwin died already on their descent from the summit, the dispute over whether or not they reached the summit of Everest continues today
.
• The Annapurna mountain range is now about 20 centimeters higher after an earthquake in Nepal on April 25, 2015

Movies about Annapurna

• The Hard Way – Annapurna South Face (1970)