The Himalayan Challenges only the Skilled Dare to Conquer

The majestic Himalayas stand in all their glory putting forth some of the most challenging climbs for the trekker, the chance to explore beyond the ordinary & move through some demanding trails & eventually conquering those peaks… Does it get any better? The adrenaline rush, the thrill & exhilaration, the quest to win & testing your limits & unshakable determination is what it takes to get going in the adventure… And mind you, you need some excellent skill & technique to defy danger & have your victory!

So here are some of the toughest climbs of the Himalayas, one that only experienced climbers dare take on…

KAMET PEAK
The first name in the sky high list of mountains that especially proves to be a tricky one is Mt. Kamet in the Garhwal region, at an altitude of approx. 7765 meters – 29th highest peak of the planet being a challenging climb, a target for climbers who have managed to conquer peaks as high as 7000 metres of advanced mountaineering. The trail remains remotely accessible, the best time to take on the climb being July to September, embarking from the East Kamet Glacier, passing through the Meade’s Col, routing to the northeastern segment, with some of the most spectacular views along the way.

MANA PEAK
This impressionable mountain stands high at an altitude of 7274 metres, among the Garhwal range set in the midst of the Niti and Mana passes linked by a ridge & the horizon overlooking the Indo-Tibetian border, proving to be a great challenge for the climbers looking to trek along this region. It lies close to Joshimath & the Badrinath temple, the climb closing in on from 2 routes – the eastern trail through East Kamet glacier and the second trail through Nagthuni and Banke Kund glacier.

CHAUKHAMBA PEAK
As the name suggests, the towering massif is formed like four pillared slopes also being the four summits, nestled in the Garhwal range at a height of 7,138 meters make for a tricky climb, the climb accessible through 4 approaches. The routes include the North East Face being the main summit – through the Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier, the west face, the northwest ridge & the southwest face. With the spellbinding views & thrill of the climb come the challenges & difficulties of the climb, which need to be carefully factored in before the ascent.

NANDA DEVI
Being one of the most difficult treks in the Indian Himalayan region, the majestic peak looms at a height of 7,816 meters approx., the trek set on the Nanda Devi East Base in the Kumaon area – a sight to behold, what with its imposing altitude & stunning views of meadows, the Milam & Gori Ganga valleys with bustling flora & fauna across the circular trail, seemingly one of the most beautiful yet challenging summits with a slippery route prone to landslides. It is a breathtaking experience, a chance to explore the region, its culture & beauty in all its glory!

SATOPANTH PEAK
Literally meaning the ‘pathway of the truth’, this peak boosts of a moderate but tactical climb, a propelling one for the passion driven climbers needing to put all their strength, skill & technique to conquer this feat – routing through glacial slopes, edgy ridges & tricky trails, factoring in the altitude of 7075 meters & the acclimatization process as the same in the other climbs. It is considered to be a prep climb to thinking one on the Everest, with striking views of the rugged terrains trailing across lakes & valleys through the course.

TRISHUL PEAK
The name suggests the peak forms the shape resembling Lord Shiva’s trident, a group of 3 Kumaun Himalayan peaks known together as the Trishul peak located in Bageshwar, looming at a height of about 7120 metres, forming the south-west enclosure of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. The access approaches include the North Ridge, Western face & the Southern Ridge, of which the best time to visit remains September – October.

KALANKA PEAK
This glacial climb is yet another challenging feat, a remote peak in the group of Nanda Devi Sanctuary peaks, at an altitude of 6931 metres, routing through glacial slopes, rocky trails & edgy cliffs, needing all your skill & experience to trail through this one.

CHANGABANG PEAK
The relatively lower yet rocky climb has some spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges on the skyline, at a height of about 7174 metres, overlooking the meadows of Bagini and Changbang covered with blooms of purple and yellow wildflowers. The trek puts forth a challenge to the avid climber to tread through glacial slopes & rocky climbs & explore the rugged terrain.

PANWALI DWAR
Another one in the Garhwal region, at an altitude of about 6,663 metres is this pin shaped peak lies amongst the Nanda Devi range laden with stunning sceneries & mountainous terrain full of high alpine targets.

BANDARPUNCH MASSIF
The mountain seems to be named literally as ‘The Monkey’s Tail’, one with 3 peaks the highest looming at 6316 metres, part of the Sanskari range forming a share of the within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary, also paving way for the source of the Yamuna River from the Yamunotri Glacier down below. While the trail remains fairly straightforward it trails along fissured crevasses proving to be a great experience for trekking other challlenging Himalayan expeditions.

VASUKI PARBAT
Set in the midst of the Western Garhwal Himalayas, the mountain stands tall at an altitude of 6792 metres, the trail routing through the ridge that runs from Vasuki Parbat south to the 6,702 m high South Summit and then westwards lending way to Bhagirathi I in the proximity while the e 7075 m high Satopanth lies about is 4.9 km south-east of the parbat.

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