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This
spectacular Gurla Mandata massif makes up part of the western section on the
Himalayan Himal lying in the Burang Country of Tibet. It is a close neighbour to
the sacred Mount Kailash, which lies to its north. The local inhabitants call it
the Namo Nanyi meaning "Fairy's Peak". Gurla Mandrohata is made up of six
ridges. The west ridge is shaped like a fan and stretched across from north to
south, while the eroded east ridge forms extremely steep cliffs. Also to the
north lies the holy lake Manasorover and Langatso.
Gurla Mandhara was first climbed in 1985 by a Sino-Japanese expedition. This
7000er has been climbed only five times since the first ascent up until now.
This is rather amazing given the fact that the mountain was attempted as early
as 1902.
The ascent takes place on the northern
slope through the Zalompa glacier. The scenery is magnificent; down below
stretches the arid Tibetan plateau enhanced in beauty by the sparkling lakes
Manasorovar and Rakyas with Mount Kailash as the backdrop. The climbing is
relatively safe with the route crossing the left side of the glacier to reach a
plateau under the summit's ridge. Base camp is at the foot of the glacier at
5600m.
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