Shivling | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 6,543 m (21,467 ft) [1] |
Prominence | 850 m (2,790 ft) [2] |
Coordinates | 30°52′49.48″N79°03′48.49″E / 30.8804111°N 79.0634694°E [1] |
Geography | |
Location | Uttarakhand, India |
Parent range | Gangotri Group, Garhwal Himalayas |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 3 June 1974 by Hukam Singh, Laxman Singh, Ang Tharkey, Pemba Tharkey, Pasang Sherpa [3] |
Shivling is a mountain in the Gangotri Group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalaya, near the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, one of the biggest glaciers in the Himalayas, and Tapovan, a beautiful lush meadows, both being also popular pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. It lies in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, 6 kilometres (4 mi) south of the Hindu holy site of Gaumukh (the source of the Bhagirathi River). Its name refers to its status as a sacred symbol – Shiva Linga. It was called "Matterhorn Peak" by early European visitors because of its similarity in appearance to that Alpine peak. While not of locally great elevation, it is a dramatic rock peak, and the most visually striking peak as seen from Gaumukh; that and the difficulty of the climb make it a famed prize for mountaineers.
Shivling forms the western gateway for the lower Gangotri Glacier, opposite the triple-peaked Bhagirathi massif. It lies on a spur projecting out from the main ridge that forms the southwest side of the Gangotri Glacier basin; this ridge contains other well-known peaks such as Bhagirathi, Thalay Sagar and Meru.
It was also called Mahadeo Ka Linga or (Mahadev Ka Linga) Appearing as a single pyramid when seen from Gaumukh, Shivling is actually a twin-summitted mountain, with the northeast summit being slightly higher than the southwest summit, 6,501 m (21,329 ft). Between Gaumukh and Shivling lies the Tapovan meadow, a popular pilgrimage site due to its inspiring view of the mountain.
Shivling is well-defended on all sides by steep rock faces; only the west flank has a moderate enough slope for snow accumulation. [4]
After British exploration of the Gangotri Glacier in 1933, a German expedition led by R. Schwarzgruber climbed nearby peaks and did a reconnaissance of Shivling in 1938. They reported "no feasible route" on the mountain due to its steepness and the threat of falling seracs. [4]
Shivling was first climbed on 3 June 1974 via the west ridge, by a team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, led by Hukam Singh. The ridge is the lowest-angle feature on the mountain, but still involves serious mixed climbing, and is threatened by the serac barrier noted by the Germans. The ridge leads to the col between the two summits; a steep snow/ice ridge then leads to the main summit. [3]
Since the first ascent, at least ten other routes have been climbed on the peak, ascending all major ridges and most major faces of the mountain. All routes are extremely serious undertakings. [4]
The North Pillar route was climbed in 1993 by Hans Kammerlander and Christoph Hainz.
In 2004 Shirshendu Mukherjee became the youngest person in the world to have climbed the mountain at the age of 19 as a part of an Indian expedition.
In 2005, Basanta Singha Roy and Debashis Biswas, both climbers from Mountaineers Association Of Krishnanagar (MAK), West Bengal, India, were the first successful summiters of India, as a part of a civilian effort i.e. climbed by the help of a Sherpa guide with an expedition style.. [5]
On 25 May 2012, Valery Rozov made the first BASE jump from the summit of Shivling at an altitude of 6,420 metres (21,060 ft) wearing a wingsuit. [6]
Kangchenjunga, also spelled Kanchenjunga, Kanchanjanghā and Khangchendzonga, is the third-highest mountain in the world. Its summit lies at 8,586 m (28,169 ft) in a section of the Himalayas, the Kangchenjunga Himal, which is bounded in the west by the Tamur River, in the north by the Lhonak River and Jongsang La, and in the east by the Teesta River. It lies in the border region between Koshi Province of Nepal and Sikkim state of India, with the two peaks West and Kangbachen in Nepal's Taplejung District and the other three peaks Main, Central and South directly on the border.
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Vasuki Parbat or Vasuki Parvat is a mountain range of Garhwal Himalaya in Vasuki Glacier Uttarakhand, India. It has a subsidiary peak, Vasuki south. Vasuki Parbat stands majestically at 6792 meter and the south peak 6702 at meter. Its the 35th highest located entirely within the uttrakhand India. Nanda Devi, is the highest mountain in this category.
Janhukut is a mountain of Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India. Janhukut standing majestically at 6805 meter. It's the 31st highest located entirely within the uttrakhand India. Nanda Devi, is the highest mountain in this category. Janhukut is the 473rd highest peak in the world.
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Manda III is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India. The elevation of Manda III is 6,529 metres (21,421 ft) and its prominence is 450 metres (1,476 ft). It is joint 81st highest located entirely within the Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi, is the highest mountain in this category. It lies 2.4 km south of Manda II 6,568 metres (21,549 ft) and 2.8 km north of Bhrigupanth 6,772 metres (22,218 ft). It lies 6.6 km east of Jogin II 6,342 metres (20,807 ft). It is located 6.7 km NW of Shivling (mountain) 6,543 metres (21,467 ft) and 13.1 km east lies Bhagirathi Parbat II 6,512 metres (21,365 ft).
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