Govt to remove 16 peaks from list of peaks opened for mountaineering

A technical team formed under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has recommended to the government to remove 16 mountain peaks from the list of 326 peaks opened for mountaineering.

Of the 16 peaks, 11 peaks have two different names, five are just viewpoints and one peak doesn´t exist at all.

The technical team led by Ang Tshering Sherpa, immediate past president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, has already submitted its report to the government.

According to Sherpa, the team has asked the government to remove Gyaj Kang, Hongde, Lahung Kang, Lanpo Peak, Lumba Sumba, Kyashar, Pokharkan, Ramtang, Peak 38, Dhampus and Anidesh Chuli from the list as the peaks are either repeated or named differently.

Similarly, the team has recommended removing Gokyo Ri, Ramchaur, Ramdrong and Roma from the list saying that they are just viewpoints. It has also recommended to the government to remove Nagpai Gosum III from the list saying that it is not a peak but just a ridge.

“We, however, have recommended to the government to recognize both names for Peak 43 (Kyashar), Shanti Shikhar (Peak 38) and Thapa Peak (Dhampus),” he added.

A senior official at MoCTCA confirmed that preparations are underway to remove 16 peaks from the list of 326 peaks opened for mountaineering. “The technical committee has recommended to us to remove the peaks after conducting thorough study,” the official said, adding, “Though we are removing 16 peaks from the list, the list will still have 326 peaks as we are opening 16 new peaks for mountaineering.”

Sherpa said the team recommended to the government to remove four peaks from the list as they are just viewpoints. “Mountains which can be climbed only with the help of climbing equipment are defined as peaks.

But the four peaks, including one which is just 4,500-meter high, are so easy to climb that even yaks can reach to the top,” added Sherpa who is also the honorary member of World Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).

Earlier in November, the committee had suggested that the government open 166 new peaks for commercial expedition. It had also suggested to the government to recognize five new peaks above 8,000 meters -- Kanchanjunga Central (8,473m), Kanchanjunga South (8,476m), Lhotse Middle (8,413m) Lhotse Shar (8,400m) and Yalung Khang (8,505m).

“We have recommended to the government to open 32 peaks immediately in the first phase. Remaining peaks can be opened in a phase-wise basis in 6 to 7 months,” added Sherpa.

source: republica,31 Dec 2013