Ahead of the new climbing season, meet Nepal’s eight-thousanders

In the West, whenever there’s talk of Nepal, people think about the Himalayas and the snow. For many, Nepal has become synonymous with the Himalayas. Those living outside Nepal, sometimes, fail to gauge the enormity of the mountains, and ask Nepalis they meet, “Have you climbed Everest?”

But Nepal is not just home to Everest, the highest mountain in the word. Eight of the ten tallest peaks in the world are in Nepal. As climbers around the world prepare for the autumn season of mountaineering in the Himalayas, here’s a look at the ‘Eight Thousanders’ in Nepal.

1. Mount Everest
   
   The 8,848m tall mountain is the highest peak in the world. It was on May 29, 1953 that Hilllary and Norgay reached the summit of Everest. The mountain has a special place in the deeply religious Nepali and Tibetan communities. As the mountain is shared between Nepal and China, it can be climbed from the north and the south. But experienced alpinists prefer the climb from the Nepal side.

2. Kanchenjunga

It is the third-highest mountain in the world and is 8,586m tall. It is located in Nepal’s Taplejung district. It was on May 25, 1955 that humans first set foot on the summit.

1. Lhotse
   

The fourth-tallest mountain, which is a part of the Mahalangur mountain range, stands majestically at 8,531m . It is located in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district.

1. Makalu

Fifth on the list of the tallest mountains in the world, Makalu stands tall at 8,463 metres. Tourism experts say trek around the mountain has a lot of potential, but because of its remoteness, it doesn’t attract many thrill seekers.

1. Choyu
   

The sixth tallest mountain in the world is 8,2100 m high. It is also located in Solukhumbu. The first successful expedition to the mountain took place in October 1954.