What is the average absolute height of the Himalayas. The Himalayas are the highest mountains on Earth
The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world. It stretches for approximately 2,400 km in a northwest-southeast direction and has a width of 400 km in the west to 150 km in the east.
Solarshakti / flickr.com View of the snowy Himalayas (Saurabh Kumar_ / flickr.com) Great Himalayas - view on the way to Leh from Delhi (Karunakar Rayker / flickr.com) You will have to cross this bridge if you are going to Everest Base Camp (ilker ender / flickr.com) Greater Himalayas (Christopher Michel / flickr.com) Christopher Michel / flickr.com Christopher Michel / flickr.com Sunset on Everest (旅者河童 / flickr.com) Himalayas - from a plane (Partha S. Sahana / flickr.com) Lukla Airport, Patan, Kathmandu. (Chris Marquardt / flickr.com) Valley of Flowers, Himalayas (Alosh Bennett / flickr.com) Himalayan Landscape (Jan / flickr.com) Ganges Bridge (Asis K. Chatterjee / flickr.com) Kanchenjunga, Indian Himalayas (A.Ostrovsky / flickr.com) Climber at sunset, Nepal Himalayas (Dmitry Sumin / flickr.com) Manaslu - 26,758 feet (David Wilkinson / flickr.com) Wildlife of the Himalayas (Chris Walker / flickr.com) Annapurna (Mike Behnken / flickr.com) ) On the border of India and Tibet in Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh (Partha Chowdhury / flickr.com) Beautiful place in Kashmir (Kashmir Pictures / flickr.com) Abhishek Shirali / flickr.com Parfen Rogozhin / flickr.com Koshy Koshy / flickr.com valcker / flickr.com Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal (Matt Zimmerman / flickr.com) Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal (Matt Zimmerman / flickr.com)
Where are the Himalaya mountains, the photos of which are so amazing? For most people, this question is unlikely to cause difficulty, at least they will answer exactly on which mainland these mountains stretch.
If you look at geographical map, you can see that they are located in the northern hemisphere, in South Asia, between the Indo-Gangetic plain (in the south) and the Tibetan plateau (in the north).
In the west, they pass into the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain systems.
Peculiarity geographical location Himalayas in that they are located on the territory of five countries: India, Nepal, China (Tibet Autonomous Region), Bhutan and Pakistan. The foothills also cross the northern outskirts of Bangladesh. The name of the mountain system can be translated from Sanskrit as "abode of snows".
Height of the Himalayas
The Himalayas contain 9 of the 10 highest peaks on our planet, including the highest point in the world - Chomolungma, which reaches an altitude of 8848 m above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 27°59′17″ north latitude 86°55′31″ east longitude. The average height of the entire mountain system exceeds 6000 meters.
The highest peaks of the Himalayas
Geographic description: 3 main steps
The Himalayas form three main steps: the Sivalik Range, the Lesser Himalayas and the Greater Himalayas, each of which is higher than the previous one.
- Sivalik Range- the southernmost, lowest and most geologically young step. It stretches for about 1700 km from the Indus Valley to the Brahmaputra Valley with a width of 10 to 50 km. The height of the ridge does not exceed 2000 m. Sivalik is located mainly in Nepal, as well as in the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
- The next step is the Lesser Himalayas, it passes north of the Sivalik ridge, parallel to it. The average height of the ridge is about 2500 m, and in the western part it reaches 4000 m. The Sivalik ridge and the Lesser Himalayas are strongly cut by river valleys, breaking up into separate massifs.
- Greater Himalayas- the northernmost and highest step. The height of individual peaks here exceeds 8000 m, and the height of the passes is more than 4000 m. Glaciers are widely developed. Their total area exceeds 33,000 square kilometers, and the total fresh water reserves in them are about 12,000 cubic kilometers. One of the largest and most famous glaciers - Gangotri, is the source of the Ganges River.
Rivers and lakes of the Himalayas
In the Himalayas begin three major rivers South Asia - Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. The rivers of the western extremity of the Himalayas belong to the Indus basin, and almost all other rivers belong to the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin. The easternmost edge of the mountain system belongs to the Irrawaddy basin.
There are many lakes in the Himalayas. The largest of them are Lake Bangong Tso (700 km²) and Yamjo Yumtso (621 km²). Lake Tilicho is located at an absolute mark of 4919 m, which makes it one of the highest in the world.
Climate
The climate in the Himalayas is quite diverse. Monsoons have a strong influence on the southern slopes. The amount of precipitation here increases in the direction from west to east from less than 1000 mm to more than 4000 mm.
On the border of India and Tibet in Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh (Partha Chowdhury / flickr.com)
The northern slopes, on the other hand, are in the rain shadow. The climate here is dry and cold.
In the highlands there are severe frosts and winds. In winter, temperatures can drop to minus 40 °C or even lower.
The Himalayas have a strong influence on the climate of the entire region. They are a barrier to cold dry winds blowing from the north, which makes the climate of the Indian subcontinent much warmer compared to neighboring regions of Asia located at the same latitudes. In addition, the Himalayas are a barrier to the monsoons blowing from the south and bringing a huge amount of rainfall.
High mountains do not allow these humid air masses to pass further north, which makes the climate of Tibet very dry.
It is believed that the Himalayas played a significant role in the formation of deserts. Central Asia, such as Takla Makan and Gobi, which is also explained by the rain shadow effect.
Origin and geology
Geologically, the Himalayas are one of the youngest mountain systems in the world; refers to the Alpine folding. It is composed mainly of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, crumpled into folds and raised to a considerable height.
The Himalayas were formed as a result of the collision of the Indian and Eurasian lithospheric plates, which began approximately 50-55 million years ago. During this collision, the ancient Tethys Ocean closed and an orogenic belt was formed.
Flora and fauna
The flora of the Himalayas is subject altitudinal zonality. At the foot of the Sivalik Range, the vegetation is represented by swampy forests and thickets, known locally as "terai".
Himalayan Landscape (Jan / flickr.com)
Above, they are replaced by evergreen tropical, deciduous and coniferous forests, and even higher - by alpine meadows.
Deciduous forests begin to prevail at absolute elevations of more than 2000 m, and coniferous forests - above 2600 m.
At an altitude of more than 3500 m, shrub vegetation already predominates.
On the northern slopes, where the climate is much more arid, the vegetation is much poorer. Mountain deserts and steppes are common here. The height of the snow line varies from 4500 (southern slopes) to 6000 m (northern slopes).
Wildlife of the Himalayas (Chris Walker / flickr.com)
The local fauna is quite diverse and, like the vegetation, depends mainly on the height above sea level. Animal world rainforest the southern slopes are characteristic of the tropics. Elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards, and antelopes are still found here in the wild; numerous monkeys.
Himalayan bears, mountain goats and rams, yaks, etc. are found higher up. In the highlands, such a rare animal as Snow Leopard.
The Himalayas are home to many different protected areas. Among them it is worth noting national park Sagarmatha, within which Everest is partially located.
Population
Most of the population of the Himalayas lives in the southern foothills and in the intermountain basins. The largest basins are Kashmir and Kathmandu; these regions are very densely populated, and almost all the land is cultivated.
Bridge over the Ganges (Asis K. Chatterjee / flickr.com)
Like many other mountainous regions, the Himalayas are characterized by great ethnic and linguistic diversity.
This is due to the inaccessibility of these places, due to which the population of almost every valley or basin lived very apart.
Contacts even with neighboring regions were minimal, since in order to get to them, it is necessary to overcome high mountain passes, which in winter are often covered with snow, and they become completely impassable. In this case, some intermountain basin could be completely isolated until next summer.
Almost the entire population of the region speaks either Indo-Aryan languages, which belong to the Indo-European family, or Tibeto-Burman languages, which belong to the Sino-Tibetan family. Most of the population professes Buddhism or Hinduism.
The most famous people of the Himalayas are the Sherpas, who live in the highlands of Eastern Nepal, including in the Everest region. They often work as guides and porters on expeditions to Chomolungma and other peaks.
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal (Matt Zimmerman / flickr.com)
Sherpas have hereditary high-altitude adaptation, thanks to which, even at very high altitudes, they do not suffer from altitude sickness and do not need additional oxygen.
Most of the population of the Himalayas is employed in agriculture. In the presence of a sufficiently flat surface and water, people cultivate rice, barley, oats, potatoes, peas, etc.
In the foothills and in some intermountain basins, more heat-loving crops are also grown - citrus fruits, apricots, grapes, tea, etc. In the highlands, the breeding of goats, sheep and yaks is common. The latter are used as a beast of burden, as well as for meat, milk and wool.
Sights of the Himalayas
In the Himalayas there are many different attractions. This region has a huge number of Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples, as well as simply places considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism.
Valley of Flowers, Himalayas (Alosh Bennett / flickr.com)
In the foothills of the Himalayas, the Indian city of Rishikesh is located, which is sacred to Hindus, and is also widely known as the yoga capital of the world.
Another sacred Hindu city is Hardwar, located at the point where the Ganges descends from the Himalayas to the plain. From Hindi, its name can be translated as "gateway to God."
Of the natural attractions, it is worth mentioning the Valley of Flowers National Park, located in the Western Himalayas, in the Indian state of Uttarkhand.
The valley fully justifies its name: it is a continuous flower carpet, quite unlike the usual alpine meadows. Together with the Nanda Devi National Park, it is a UNESCO heritage site.
Tourism
Mountaineering and hiking in the mountains are popular in the Himalayas. Of the hiking routes, the most famous track around Annapurna, passing along the slopes of the mountain range of the same name, in the north of the central part of Nepal.
Climber at sunset, Nepal Himalayas (Dmitry Sumin / flickr.com)
The length of the route is 211 km, and its altitude varies from 800 to 5416 m.
Sometimes tourists combine this track with a hike to Lake Tilicho, located at an absolute mark of 4919 m.
Another popular route is the Manaslu trek, which runs around the Mansiri-Himal mountain range and overlaps with the Annapurna route.
How long it will take to complete these routes depends on the person's physical fitness, time of year, weather conditions and other factors. In high altitude areas, you should not climb too quickly to avoid symptoms of altitude sickness.
The conquest of the Himalayan peaks is quite difficult and dangerous. It requires good training, equipment and implies the presence of mountaineering experience.
Journey to the Himalayas
The Himalayas attract numerous tourists from Russia and other countries of the world. A trip to the Himalayas can be made at any time of the year, however, it is worth remembering that in winter many passes are covered with snow and some places become extremely inaccessible.
The most favorable time for trekking along the most popular routes is spring and autumn. In summer, the rainy season is here, and in winter it is quite cold and there is a high probability of avalanches.
The Himalayas are considered to be the highest and most mysterious mountains of the planet Earth. The name of this massif can be translated from Sanskrit as "the country of snow". The Himalayas serve as a conditional separator between South and Central Asia. Hindus consider their location to be sacred ground. Numerous legends claim that the peaks of the Himalayan mountains were the habitat of the god Shiva, his wife Devi and their daughter Himavata. According to ancient beliefs, the home of the gods gave rise to the three great Asian rivers - the Indus, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra.
Origin of the Himalayas
The origin and development of the Himalayan mountains took several stages, which took a total of about 50,000,000 years. Many researchers believe that two colliding tectonic plates gave rise to the Himalayas. 
It is interesting that at present the mountain system continues its development, the formation of folding. The Indian plate is moving towards the northeast at a rate of 5 cm per year, while shrinking by 4 mm. Scholars argue that such an advance will lead to further rapprochement between India and Tibet. 
The speed of this process is comparable to the growth of human nails. In addition, intense geological activity in the form of earthquakes is periodically observed in the mountains.
An impressive fact - the Himalayas occupy a large part of the entire surface of the Earth (0.4%). This area is incomparably large in comparison with other mountain objects. 
What continent are the Himalayas located on: geographical information
Tourists preparing for a trip should find out where the Himalayas are. Their location is the continent of Eurasia (its Asian part). In the north, the massif's neighbor is the Tibetan Plateau. To the south, this role went to the Indo-Gangetic plain. 
The Himalayan mountain system stretches for 2,500 km, and its width is at least 350 km. The total area of the massif is 650,000 m².
Many Himalayan ridges boast a height of up to 6 km. highest point represented, also referred to as Chomolungma. Its absolute height is 8848 m, which is a record among other mountain peaks of the planet. Geographical coordinates– 27°59′17″ north latitude, 86°55′31″ east longitude. 
The Himalayas are spread over several countries. Not only the Chinese and Indians, but also the peoples of Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan can be proud of their proximity to the majestic mountains. Sections of this mountain range are also present in the territories of some post-Soviet countries: Tajikistan includes the northern mountain range (Pamir). 
Characteristics of natural conditions
The natural conditions of the Himalayan mountains cannot be called soft and stable. The weather in this area is prone to frequent changes. In many areas there is dangerous terrain, and at high altitudes there is cold. Even in summer, frost remains here down to -25 ° C, and in winter it intensifies to -40 ° C. In the mountains, hurricane-force winds are not uncommon, gusts of which reach 150 km / h. In summer and spring, the average air temperature rises to +30 °C. 
In the Himalayas, it is customary to distinguish 4 types of climate. From April to June, the mountains are covered with wild herbs and flowers, coolness and freshness reign in the air. Starting in July and ending in August, rains rule in the mountains, the largest amount of precipitation falls. In these summer months the slopes of the mountain ranges are covered with stormy vegetation, fogs often appear. Until the arrival of November, warm and comfortable weather followed by a sunny frosty winter with heavy snowfalls. 
Description of the flora
Himalayan vegetation surprises with its diversity. On the southern slope, subject to frequent precipitation, one can clearly see altitudinal belts, and real jungles (terai) grow at the foot of the mountains. In these places, large thickets of trees and shrubs are found in abundance. In some places, dense creepers, bamboo, numerous bananas, and undersized palm trees are found. Sometimes you can get to the areas intended for the cultivation of certain crops. These places are usually cleared and drained by man. 
Climbing a little higher up the slopes, you can alternately take refuge in tropical, coniferous, mixed forests, behind which, in turn, are picturesque alpine meadows. In the north of the mountain range and in drier areas, the territory is represented by steppe and semi-deserts. 
In the Himalayas there are trees that give people expensive wood and resin. Here you can get to the places of growth of dhaka, sal trees. At an altitude of 4 km, tundra vegetation in the form of rhododendrons and mosses is found in abundance. 
local fauna
The Himalayan mountains have become a safe haven for many endangered animals. Here you can meet rare representatives local fauna - snow leopard, black bear, Tibetan fox. In the southern region of the mountain range, there are all the necessary conditions for living leopards, tigers and rhinos. The representatives of the north of the Himalayas include yaks, antelopes, mountain goats, wild horses. 
In addition to the richest flora and fauna, the Himalayas abound in a variety of minerals. Alluvial gold, copper and chromium ore, oil, rock salt, brown coal. 
parks and valleys
In the Himalayas, you can visit parks and valleys, many of which are included in the fund world heritage UNESCO:
- Sagarmatha.
- Flower Valley.
Sagarmatha National Park belongs to the territory of Nepal. Its special property is the world's highest peak Everest and other high mountains. 
Nanda Devi Park is a natural treasure of India, and is located in the heart of the Himalayan mountains. This picturesque place is located at the foot of the hill with the same name, and has an area of more than 60,000 hectares. The height of the park above sea level is at least 3500 m. 
The most picturesque places of Nanda Devi are represented by grandiose glaciers, the Rishi Ganga River, the mystical Skeleton Lake, around which, according to legend, numerous human and animal remains were found. It is generally accepted that the sudden fall of an unusually large hail led to mass deaths. 
Not far from Nanda Devi Park is the Flower Valley. Here, on an area of about 9,000 hectares, several hundred colorful plants grow. Over 30 varieties of flora that adorn the Indian valley are considered endangered, and about 50 species are used in medicinal purposes. A variety of birds also live in these places. Most of them can be seen in the Red Book. 
Buddhist temples
The Himalayas are famous for their Buddhist monasteries, many of which are located in hard-to-reach places, and are buildings carved from the rock. Most of the temples have a long history of existence, up to 1000 years old, and lead a rather "closed" lifestyle. Some of the monasteries are open to everyone who wants to get acquainted with way of life monks, interior decoration of holy places. They can do beautiful photos. Entrance to the territory of other shrines for visitors is strictly prohibited.
The largest and most revered monasteries include:
- Drepung located in China.
- Temple complexes in Nepal Boudhanath, Budanilkanth, Swayambhunath.
- Jokhang, which is the pride of Tibet.
A carefully guarded religious shrine, found everywhere in the Himalayas, are Buddhist stupas. These religious monuments were built by the monks of the past in honor of some important event in Buddhism, and for prosperity and harmony throughout the world. 
Tourists visiting the Himalayas
The most suitable time for traveling to the Himalayas is the period from May to July and September-October. During these months, vacationers can count on sunny and warm weather, lack of heavy rainfall and strong winds. For lovers of adrenaline sports, there are few, but modern ski resorts. 
In the Himalayan mountains you can find hotels and inns of various price categories. In religious quarters, there are special houses for pilgrims and worshipers of the local religion - ashrams, which have ascetic living conditions. Living in such premises is quite cheap, and sometimes it can be completely free. Instead of a fixed amount, the guest can offer a voluntary donation or help with the housework.
The name Himalaya is derived from the spirit of the Sanskrit words: hima and alaja, which means "abode of snows." The highest mountains on earth occupy 80% of the area of Nepal. The average height of the Himalayas is 6,000 meters above sea level. The length of these high mountains is 2,500 km. But it is on the territory of Nepal that there are eight eight-thousanders - the highest mountain, whose height is more than 8,000 meters. Therefore, all climbers in the world dream of climbing the Himalayas at least once in their lives. Neither danger to life, nor cold, nor financial expenses don't stop them. At the same time, the financial costs are quite significant. After all, if you want to conquer the peak, then in Nepal, just for the right to climb, you will have to pay a fairly serious amount, which is more than one thousand dollars. Here, this fee is called royalty. If you want to conquer Everest, then you will also have to stand in line, maybe even two years. With such in large numbers wishing to conquer the Himalayas, there are peaks that are not popular.
For tourists eager to challenge the mountains, special routes have been laid at an altitude of 5.5 thousand meters. Those who manage to make the ascent will receive a well-deserved reward - landscapes of dangerous and deep gorges with lush vegetation and lush greenery or snow-capped rocky peaks of unforgettable beauty. The most popular among ordinary tourists without special training is the route around Annapurna. During the days of the journey, those who decide to undertake such a journey, in addition to the excellent landscapes of mountainous Nepal, can also observe the life of local residents.
The highest mountain in the Himalayas is Mount Everest (8848 meters). Every student knows about it. In Tibet, she is called Chomolungma, which means "Mother of the Gods", and in Nepal - Sagarmakhta. All climbers dream of conquering Everest, but only climbers of the highest class can conquer it.
The Himalayas arose during the period of orogeny - the Alpine tectonic cycle and, by the standards of geology, very young mountains. The Himalayas arose in the place where the Eurasian and Indian subcontinental plates collided. Mountain building continues here today. The average height of the mountains increases annually by an average of 7 mm. That is why earthquakes are so frequent here.
In the Himalayan mountains directed to the sky, it is quite common to find fossilized marine organisms. They are called saligrams. According to scientists, their age is about 130 million years. Saligrams are like messages from the Ice Age. They are the best proof that the Himalayas "grew" out of the water. The Nepalese consider them the earthly incarnation of their god Vishnu. For the Nepalese, saligrams are sacred. Their export from the territory of Nepal is prohibited.
Video: "Climbing the top of Tulagi in Nepal (7059 m.) in 2010."
Film: Road to the Himalayas
Also, you can watch the 1999 Nepalese film The Himalayas (dir. Eric Valli) and the 2010 film NANGA PARBAT.
In conclusion, a few more photos of the Himalayas:
Himalayas - it is here, on the third pole of cold, that almost all the highest mountains in the world are located, which are those whose height exceeds 8000 meters.
There are not so many such mountains on earth, only fourteen. Moreover, they are all located in that place on the globe where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates collide. This place is called "Roofs of the World".
Ever since people were infected with mountaineering, the dream of each of them has been to visit the Himalayas and conquer all these eight-thousanders.
Routes to M...
Valley before...
View of Nangap...
The Himalayas are replete with a huge number of rocky, almost vertical slopes that are very difficult to climb, you have to use all sorts of technical devices in the form of hammered hooks, ropes, special ladders and other climbing equipment. Often, rocky ledges alternate with deep cracks, and so much snow settles on the slopes of the mountains that it eventually compresses and turns into glaciers that close these cracks, which makes passing through these places deadly. It is not uncommon for snow and ice to converge, which, rushing down, turn into huge avalanches that demolish everything in their path and can crush climbers in seconds.
The air temperature in the Himalayas, when climbing to a height, decreases by about 6 degrees for every 1000 meters. So if at the foot of the summer the temperature is +25, then at an altitude of 5000 meters it will be about -5.
At altitude, movements are usually increased air masses, often turning into hurricane wind, which makes movement very difficult, and sometimes makes it impossible, especially on narrow ridges of mountain ranges.
Starting from 5000 meters, the atmosphere contains about half the oxygen at sea level that the human body is accustomed to. The lack of oxygen has a detrimental effect on the human body, sharply reduces its physical capabilities and leads to the development of the so-called mountain sickness - shortness of breath, dizziness, chills and interruptions in the work of the heart. Therefore, usually at this altitude, the human body needs time to acclimatize.
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At an altitude of 6000 meters the atmosphere is so rarefied and poor in oxygen that complete acclimatization is no longer possible. No matter what physical activity experiences a person, he begins to slowly suffocate. Climbing to a height of 7000 meters is already deadly for many, at such a height consciousness begins to get confused and it even becomes difficult to think. An altitude of 8000 meters is called the "death zone". Here even the strongest climbers can survive in best case within just a few days. Therefore, all high-altitude ascents are carried out using breathing oxygen apparatus.
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But the representatives of the Nepalese tribe of Sherpas, who permanently live in the Himalayas, feel quite comfortable at the height, and therefore, as soon as the Europeans began to "explore" the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the men of this tribe began to work on expeditions as guides and porters, receiving payment for this. Over time, this became their main profession. By the way, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, paired with Edmund Hillary, were the first to climb the Himalayas - Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
But all these sometimes deadly dangers did not stop mountaineering enthusiasts. It took more than one decade for all these peaks to be conquered. Here is a brief chorology of climbing the highest mountains of our planet.
June 3, 1950 - Annapurna
French climbers Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal climbed the Annapurna peak, whose height is 8091 meters. Anapurna is considered the seventh highest mountain in the world. Located in Nepal, in the Himalayas, east of the Gandaki River, which flows through the deepest gorge in the world. The gorge separates Annapurna and another eight-thousander Dhaulagiri.
Climbing Anapurna is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Moreover, this is the only conquest of the eight-thousander that was made the first time, and besides, without oxygen apparatus. However, their feat came at a high price. Since they were shod only in leather boots, Erzog froze all his toes and because of the onset of gangrene, the expedition doctor was forced to amputate them. For all the time, only 191 people successfully climbed Annapurna, which is less than any other eight-thousanders. Climbing Annapurna is considered the most dangerous, with a fatality rate of 32 percent, like no other eight-thousander.
1953, May 29 - Everest "Chomolungma"
Members of the English expedition, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Norgay Tenzing, were the first to conquer the peak, 8848 m high. In Tibetan, this mountain is called Chomolungma, which means "Goddess Mother of Snows." Her Nepalese name is Sagarmatha, which means "Mother of the Universe". This is the highest mountain in the world. on the border between Nepal and China.
Everest is a triangular pyramid with three sides and ridges that extend northeast, southeast, and northwest. The southeast ridge is more gentle and is the most widely used climbing route. It was this route to the summit through the Khumbu Glacier, the Valley of Silence, from the foot of Lhotse through the South Col, that Hillary and Tenzing made their first ascent. And for the first time the British tried to commit it back in 1921. They then could not go from the south side, due to the ban of the Nepalese authorities, and tried to rise from the north, from the side of Tibet. To do this, they had to go around the entire mountain range of Chomolungma, passing more than 400 kilometers to get to the top from China. But the time for the detour was lost and the monsoons that began did not make it possible to carry out the ascent. After them, the second attempt on the same route was made in 1924 by British climbers George Lee Mallory and Andrew Irvine, which was also unsuccessful, ending in the death of both at an altitude of 8500 meters.
Despite its reputation as an extremely dangerous mountain, the commercialized climbing of Everest has made it a very popular pastime for tourists over the past few decades. According to the latest data, 5656 successful ascents were made to Everest, at the same time, 223 people died. Mortality was about 4 percent.
July 3, 1953 - Nanga Parbat
The peak is located in northern Pakistan in the western part of the Himalayas. This is the ninth highest eight-thousander, 8126 meters. This peak has such steep slopes that even snow does not hold on its top. Nanga Parbat means "Naked Mountain" in Urdu. The first to climb the peak was the Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian Himalayan expedition. He made the ascent alone, without an oxygen apparatus. The time of ascent to the summit was 17 hours, and with the descent 41 hours. It was the first successful ascent in 20 years of attempts, before that 31 climbers had already died there.
According to the latest data, a total of 335 successful ascents have been made on Nanga Parbat. 68 climbers died. The lethality is about 20 percent, which makes it the third most dangerous eight-thousander.
1954, July 31 - Chogori, "K2", "Dapsang"
The first to summit K2, the second highest peak in the world, was the Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Although attempts to conquer K2 began in 1902.
Peak Chogori or Dapsang in another way - 8611 meters high, is located on the Baltoro Muztag ridge in the Karakorum mountain range, on the border of Pakistan and China. This mountain received an unusual name K2 in the 19th century, when a British expedition measured the heights of the Himalayas and Karakoram peaks. Each newly measured peak was given a serial number. K2 was the second mountain they stumbled upon and the name has stuck with it ever since. The locals call this Lamba Pahar, which means "High Mountain". Despite the fact that K2 is lower than Everest, climbing it proved to be more difficult. For all the time on K2 there were only 306 successful ascents. 81 people died while trying to climb. Mortality is about 29 percent. K2 is not rarely called a killer mountain
October 19, 1954 - Cho Oyu
The first to climb the peak were members of the Austrian expedition: Herbert Tichy, Josef Johler and Pazang Dawa Lama. The peak of Cho Oyu is located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Nepal, in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range, the Chomolungma mountain range, about 20 km west of Mount Everest.
Cho-Oyu, in Tibetan means "Goddess of Turquoise". It has a height of 8201 meters, it is the sixth highest eight-thousander. A few kilometers west of Cho Oyu is the Nangpa-La pass, 5716 m high. This pass is the passage from Nepal to Tibet, laid by the Sherpas as the only trading trail. Because of this pass, many climbers consider Cho Oyu the easiest eight-thousander. This is partly true, because all ascents are made from the side of Tibet. But from the side of Nepal, the southern wall is so difficult that only a few managed to conquer it.
A total of 3,138 people have successfully climbed Cho Oyu, more than any other peak except Everest. Mortality 1%, less than any other. It is considered the safest eight-thousander.
May 15, 1955 - Makalu
For the first time, the Frenchmen Jean Kuzi and Lionel Terre ascended the summit of Makalu. Climbing Makalu was the only one in the history of conquering eight-thousanders, when all nine members of the expedition, including the senior group of Sherpa guides, reached the summit. This happened not because Makalu is such an easy mountain, but because the weather turned out to be extremely successful and nothing prevented the climbers from achieving this triumph.
At 8485 meters, Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world, located just 20 kilometers southeast of Everest. On the Tibetan Makalu means "Big Black". Such unusual name given to this mountain because its slopes are very steep and the snow simply does not hold on them, therefore most She stays naked for years.
Defeating Makalu proved difficult enough. In 1954, an American team led by Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Everest, tried to do this, but they did not succeed. And only the French, after a lot of preparatory work and well-coordinated work of the team, managed to accomplish this. In total, 361 people successfully climbed Makalu, while 31 people died while trying to climb. The lethality of ascents to Makalu is about 9 percent.
May 25, 1955 - Kangchenjunga
British climbers George Band and Joe Brown were the first to successfully climb Kangchenjunga. Before climbing, local residents warned climbers that a Sikkimese god lives on the top of this mountain and should not be disturbed. They refused to accompany the expedition and the British climbed on their own. But either due to superstition, or for some other reason, having risen to the top, they did not reach the very top for several feet, considering that the peak was conquered.
Kanchenjunga is located on the border of Nepal and India, about 120 kilometers south of Everest. The name "Kanchenjunga" in Tibetan means "Treasury of the Five Great Snows". Until 1852, Kangchenjunga was considered the most high mountain in the world. But after Everest and other eight-thousanders were measured, it turned out that it is the third highest peak in the world, its height is 8586 meters.
Another legend that exists in Nepal says that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain. And women can not go to her on pain of death. Of course, climbers are not superstitious people, but nevertheless, only one female climber, Englishwoman Ginette Harrison, has climbed to its top for all the time. No matter what, but a year and a half later, Ginette Harrison died while climbing Dhaulagiri. For all the time, 283 climbers have successfully climbed Kanchenjunga. Of those who tried to rise, 40 people died. The lethality of climbing is about 15 percent.
May 9, 1956 - Manaslu
Mountain height of 8163 meters, the eighth highest eight-thousander. There have been several attempts to climb this peak. For the first time in 1952, when the Swiss and French teams, in addition to the British, entered the championship of Everest, the Japanese decided to conquer Manaslu Peak, located in Nepal, about 35 kilometers east of Annapurna. They scouted all the approaches and mapped out the route. The following year, 1953, they began to climb. But the blizzard that broke out broke all their plans and they were forced to retreat.
When they returned in 1954, the local Nepalese took up arms against them, referring to the fact that the Japanese had desecrated the gods and provoked their anger, because after the departure of the previous expedition, misfortunes befell their village: there was an epidemic, crop failure, the temple collapsed and three priests died. Armed with sticks and stones, they drove the Japanese away from the mountain. In 1955, a special delegation arrived from Japan to settle the matter with the locals. And only in the following year, 1956, having paid 7,000 rupees for damages and 4,000 rupees for the construction of a new temple and arranging a big holiday for the village population, the Japanese received permission to climb. Thanks to fine weather, Japanese climber Toshio Imanishi and Sirdar Sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu climbed the peak on May 9. Manaslu remains one of the most dangerous eight-thousanders. In total, there were 661 successful ascents of Manaslu, sixty-five climbers died during the ascent. Climbing mortality is about 10 percent.
May 18, 1956 - Lhotse
Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss, members of the Swiss team, became the first people to climb the 8,516-metre-high Lhotse, the fourth highest peak in the world.
Lhotse Peak is located on the border of Nepal and China, a few kilometers south of Everest. These two peaks are connected by a vertical ridge, the so-called South Col, the height of which is over 8000 meters throughout. Usually climbing is carried out along the western, more gentle slope. But in 1990 the team Soviet Union climbed along the south side, previously considered completely inaccessible, since it is a 3300-meter almost vertical wall. In total, 461 successful ascents were made on Lhotse. For all the time, 13 climbers died there, the mortality rate is about 3 percent.
July 8, 1956 - Gasherbrum II
Peak with a height of 8034 meters, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world. Gasherbrum II was first climbed by Austrian climbers Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart. They summited on the south side along the southwest ridge. Before climbing the peak itself, rising to a height of 7500 meters, they set up a temporary camp for the night, and then went on the assault early in the morning. It was a completely new, untested approach to climbing, which subsequently began to be used by climbers in many countries.
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Gasherbrum II is the second of the four peaks of Gasherbrum in the Karakorum on the Pakistan-China border about 10 kilometers southeast of K2. The Baltoro Muztag ridge, which includes Gasherbrum II, is known for the longest Karakoram glacier, more than 62 kilometers long. This was the reason for the fact that many climbers descended almost from the very top of Gasherbrum II on skis, snowboards and even with a parachute. Gasherbrum II is considered one of the safest and lightest eight-thousanders. Gasherbrum II has been successfully climbed by 930 climbers and only 21 people have died in unsuccessful attempts to climb. Climbing mortality is about 2 percent.
June 9, 1957 - Broad Peak
Mountain height of 8051 meters, the twelfth highest eight-thousander. The first time the Germans tried to climb Broad Peak was in 1954, but due to low temperatures and stormy winds, their efforts were unsuccessful. Austrian climbers Fritz Wintersteller, Markus Schmuck and Kurt Dimberger were the first to climb the peak. The ascent was carried out on the southwestern side. The expedition did not use the services of porters and all the property was lifted by the participants themselves, which was quite a challenge.
Broad Peak or "Jangiyang" is located on the border between China and Pakistan, a few kilometers southeast of K2. This area is still little studied and geographers hope that over time it can gain sufficient popularity. For all the time there were 404 successful ascents on Broad Peak. They were unsuccessful for 21 climbers who died while trying to climb. Climbing mortality is about 5 percent.
July 5, 1958 - Gasherbrum I "Hidden Peak"
The mountain is 8080 meters high. The summit belongs to the Gasherbrum-Karakorum mountain range. Attempts to climb Hidden Peak began a very long time ago. In 1934, members of the international expedition were only able to climb to a height of 6300 meters. In 1936, French climbers overcame the line of 6900 meters. And only two years later, the Americans Andrew Kaufman and Pete Schoening climb to the top of Hidden Peak.
Gasherbrum I or Hidden Peak, the eleventh highest eight-thousander in the world, one of the seven peaks of the Gasherbrum massif, is located in Kashmir in the Pakistan-controlled Northern Region on the border with China. Gasherbrum is translated from the local language as "Polished Wall", and it fully corresponds to this name. Because of its steep, almost polished, rocky slopes, climbing it has been rejected by many. A total of 334 people have successfully climbed the peak, while 29 climbers have died attempting the ascent. Climbing mortality is about 9 percent.
May 13, 1960 - Dhaulagiri I
"White Mountain" - height 8167 meters, the seventh highest of the eight-thousanders. Members of the European national team were the first to reach the summit: Dimberger, Shelbert, Diener, Forer and Nyima and Navang Sherpas. For the first time, an aircraft was used to deliver expedition members and equipment. On the " white mountain"Payed attention back in 1950 by the French, members of the expedition of 1950. But then it seemed to them inaccessible and they switched to Annapurna.
Dhaulagiri I is located in Nepal, 13 kilometers from Annapurna, and the Argentines tried to climb to its peak back in 1954. But due to a strong blizzard, only 170 meters did not reach the summit. Although by the standards of the Himalayas, Dhaulagiri is only the sixth tallest, it is quite toughie. So in 1969, the Americans, while trying to climb, left seven of their comrades on the southeast ridge. In total, 448 people successfully climbed the summit of Dhaulagiri I, but 69 climbers died during unsuccessful attempts. Climbing fatality is about 16 percent.
May 2, 1964 - Shishabangma
Peak with a height of 8027 meters. The first to conquer Shishabangma were eight Chinese climbers: Xu Jing, Zhang Zhunyan, Wang Fuzhou, Zhen San, Zheng Tianliang, Wu Zongyue, Sodnam Dozhi, Migmar Trashi, Dozhi, Yongten. For a long time, climbing this peak was prohibited by the Chinese authorities. And only after the Chinese themselves climbed to its top, it became possible for foreign climbers to participate in ascents.
The Shishabangma mountain range, in Chinese "Geosenzhanfeng", in Indian "Gosaintan" is located in China in the Tibet Autonomous Region, a few kilometers from the Nepalese border. It consists of three peaks, two of which are higher than 8 kilometers. Shishabangma Main 8027 meters and Shishabangma Central 8008 meters. In the program "All 14 eight-thousanders of the world" there is an ascent to the main peak. In total there were 302 successful ascents of Shishabanga. Twenty-five people died trying to climb to the top. Climbing mortality is about 8 percent.
As can be seen from the chronology of ascents to highest peaks Himalayas, it took more than 40 years to conquer them. Moreover, according to the analysis of the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, the most dangerous of all are: Annapurna, K2, and Nanga Parbat. On the ascents of these three peaks, the Himalayas took the life of every fourth person who encroached not on their impregnability.
And yet, despite all these mortal dangers, there are people who have conquered all the eight-thousanders. The first of these was Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer, a German by nationality from South Tyrol. And although already during the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1970, he died native brother Gunther, and he himself lost seven toes; in the second ascent of Manaslu in 1972, his partner in a bunch died, this did not stop him. From 1970 to 1986 he climbed all 14 highest peaks of the Zamli one by one. Moreover, he climbed Everest twice, In 1978, together with Peter Habeler along the classic route through the South Col, and in 1980 alone along the northern route, moreover, during the monsoon season. Both ascents without the use of oxygen apparatus.
In total, there are already 32 people in the world who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, and these are certainly not the last people who are waiting for the Himalayas.
Video: Himalaya mountains. Where...
Almost the entire northeast of India is occupied by the vast mountain system of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. There are many Buddhist monasteries and communities here, many of which settled here more than one millennium ago. The Himalayas are India's most famous natural landmark, and Chomolungma Peak, or Everest, the highest peak, claims to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Not only climbers and other lovers of extreme recreation come here, but also pilgrims - followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and esotericism.
The Himalayas are part of five countries at once. The mountain system is located on the territory of India, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bhutan, and the Asian rivers Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra, around which the most important world cultures were created, are fed from the Himalayan glaciers.
Despite the abundance of mountain slopes, there are very few ski resorts in the Himalayas, and those that exist are not very developed. This is due not so much to the reluctance of Indians to invest in sports tourism, but to the lack of good places for riding. Of the available most popular Gulmarg in the Indian part of Kashmir, Auli in Uttarakhand and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
How to get to the Himalayas
The nearest airport to the Indian Himalayas is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. First you need to fly here, and then by domestic flights, by train or by a rented car, you can already get to your destination.
There is no railway network in the mountains, but you can take the train to the foot. the only Railway in the Himalayas is more of an amusement than a convenient transportation, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is referred to here as a "toy train". It departs from Siligiri station and goes up to Gkhum, located at an altitude of 2257 m, past tea plantations, valleys and other picturesque landscapes.
The easiest way to get to the Gulmarg ski resort is by plane: the city of Srinagor, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has its own airport. Auli resort is close to several airports, the nearest one is in Dehradun.
The main means of transportation between cities and towns in the Himalayas are minibus jeeps (shared jeep), they run between all settlements. Indians are used to occupying a minimum of space on the road, therefore, in order to travel comfortably, it makes sense to buy 1-2 extra seats.
Search for flights to the city of Delhi (the nearest airport to the Himalayas)
Weather in the Himalayas
The weather in the Himalayas depends on the height of the mountain ranges - the higher, the colder. At an altitude of 2000-2300 m above sea level, in winter the air temperature ranges from -4 to +8 °С, in summer - an average of +18 ... +24 °С, sometimes it is hot, up to +23 ... +30 °С .
The best time to travel is from May to July and September-October. At this time, the weather is dry, sunny, warm enough and comfortable for walking. It is also warm in July and August, but at this time rains and fogs come here, high clouds, so it is unlikely that you will be able to admire the mountain landscapes. In winter, it is cold and windy in the Himalayas, all roads are covered with snow, and travel becomes problematic.
Himalayas Hotels
There are hotels of different price categories in the Himalayas. There is a large selection of hotels from 2 * to 5 * in Darjeeling and in popular ski resorts. A small house without amenities, with a fan instead of air conditioning, will cost from 1100 INR per day for two. "Treshka" will cost about 3500-4200 INR per day for a double room, and 5 * hotels - from 7000 INR per day. Prices on the page are for March 2019.
In the Himalayas, especially in its religious quarters, ashrams are popular. These are shelters for pilgrims, similar to very ascetic hostels. The conditions there are quite spartan, often in a room for several people there is only beds and one shower for everyone (if you're lucky, there will be a fan). Accommodation is very cheap, and sometimes you can live in the ashram for free for help with the housework or a voluntary donation.
Skiing
There are several ski resorts in the Himalayas. In terms of service level, they cannot be compared with European ones, but the most important thing is necessary minimum services and chic mountain scenery - there is. There are equipment rental points almost everywhere, a complete set will cost about 1400-1750 INR per day.
The most popular ski resort in the Himalayas - Gulmarg. He is the most consistent European standards, and outwardly similar to the Swiss village of the middle of the last century. There are equipment rentals, several ski lifts, about 15 km of slopes and excellent forest freeride.
Auli- Another popular Himalayan ski resort. Local trails are considered the best in the region (only about 10 km). There is snow cannons, ski schools for beginners and gentle slopes for them. The resort as a whole is more focused on beginner athletes, experienced ones will be quite bored here.
Solang- a ski resort 22 km from the city of Manali. There are trails for both beginners and extreme sports (one "black trail"), tourists note the high professionalism of instructors.
Narkanda- a very picturesque resort surrounded by coniferous forest, located near Shimla, the only drawback is very little space.
Kufri- the oldest ski resort in India. In winter, there is a center for skiing, in summer - trekking and hiking, since there are two national parks not far from Kufri: the Himalayan Nature Park and the Indira Tourist Park.
Cuisine and restaurants of the Himalayas
Tibetan cuisine is widespread in the Himalayas. It is much less spicy than in southern India, and has more meat, although vegetarian options are also present. The most popular dishes that can be found in almost every cafe and restaurant are chowman (pasta with vegetables and meat), momo (steamed dumplings with various meat and vegetable fillings) and tukhpa (lamb broth soup with pasta, vegetables and meat). Here, a lot is cooked in the tandoor - an earthen oven without a lid. Basically, this is a simple peasant food: meat or poultry is fried on a spit, and then baked in a tandoor in special bread cakes, which are lined inside the tandoor.
The season matters. In the Himalayas, this seasonality is special and is associated with religion and other ancient traditions. In the rainy season, you can not find dishes with nuts here, after a hearty meal you need to eat mangoes, and in the summer they do not eat meat and fish. However, the latter is easily explained: refrigerators are still far from being in every home, and meat spoils very quickly in the heat.
In the Himalayas, the cult of wholesome food. For example, it is believed that mango soup not only improves blood circulation, but also increases sexual desire, halva is almost a blessing of the gods, and a drink from rhodo flowers (Himalayan rhododendrons) brings harmony to the body and soul.
The best photos of the Himalayas
Entertainment and attractions
In the Himalayas, ancient temples and natural attractions are of particular interest. The most famous are Ladakh, the city of ashrams Rishikesh and Haridwar, one of the seven sacred cities. The high-mountain temples of Shiva and Vishnu in Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Kashmir Valley and, of course, Shambhala with Tibetan monasteries are worth attention.
Also popular are excursions to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, surrounded by the "pond of immortality", trips to the state of Sikkim to the foot of the sacred Annapurna and other Buddhist shrines.
Acquaintance with the Himalayas often begins with the capital of Himchal Pradesh - the town shimla. It is called "the most fashionable village in the Himalayas": it is worth visiting the palace of the Viceroy of Britain (today there is a museum), the central square with the Cathedral of Christ and the main shopping street where you can buy scarves and shawls made of fine wool, saris and other national clothes and sequins to decorate the forehead.
One of the most mysterious places in the Himalayas - Srinagar. All his secrets are connected with the tomb of Rozbal - according to historical research(mostly doubtful), the body of Jesus lies there, and many locals sincerely believe in it. In addition, the city is known for doiks - boats on the Dal Lake, the proximity of the Gulmarg ski resort and very high quality woolen products in local shops and markets.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most interesting rides in the Himalayas. It is better known here under the name "Toy Train". The road was built in 1881, and since then a small train has been running along a narrow 60 cm gauge to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. The final station is Gkhum (altitude 2257 m), the path runs past tea plantations and other local beauties. From the railway ring of the terminal station offers a gorgeous view of the surroundings.
Road to the Himalayas
natural attractions
The Himalayas are very interesting National parks- Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers in the Western Himalayas, which are under the protection of UNESCO. These two parks are located side by side and are considered one of the most picturesque in the Himalayas. The landscapes here are really impressive: glaciers on mountain peaks, alpine meadows, the source of the Ganges River, which flows through the entire Nanda Devi reserve, and a diverse flora and fauna. Rare animals live here, for example, the snow leopard and the blue sheep.
The most famous attraction of the national park is Rooklund Lake, also known as Skeleton Lake. It got its ominous name after many human skeletons were found at the bottom of the lake. It is believed that these people were killed by hail while climbing to the top.
Himalayas and Roerich
The Himalayas have inspired and continue to inspire artists, directors, musicians and just creative people. The great Russian artist and mystic Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich in his expedition in the 30s of the 20th century. not only visited the Indian Himalayas and depicted what he saw in the pictures, but even founded the Institute of Himalayan Studies in America. Moreover, the last years of the artist's life were spent in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Now there, in Nagar (a suburb of the city of Manali), there is a house-museum of the painter. The atmosphere in which the Roerich family lived for 20 years, the personal car of Nicholas Konstantinovich and some of his paintings have been preserved there.
The Kullu Valley is known not only for the Roerich estate. This region is called Indian Switzerland: here grow coniferous forests, and in Manali there is a Tibetan Medicine Center where you can get diagnosed by the best local doctors and improve your health.