Why climb mountains? Because they are there

Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, 8,844 meters, located on the border between Nepal and the Tibet autonomous region, China, is the highest mountain in the world. It attracts all levels of climbers from well-experienced mountaineers to novices. It has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from China, of which the former ridge is technically easier. It was also the route used by Edmund Hillary and his guide Tenzing Norgay for the first ascent of the mountain. Chinese mountaineers raised the Olympic torch flame on its peak last May.

Namcha Barwa, 7,782 meters, the 15th highest in the world, is located in the Nyingchi prefecture of the Tibet autonomous region. The area around Namcha Barwa saw little activity by outsiders before 1980. In the 1980s, Chinese teams scouted several routes but did not succeed in reaching the peak. The first ascent was in October 1992 by a Chinese-Japanese expedition on their third attempt (after almost succeeding in 1990 and again in 1991).

Gongga Shan, also known as Minya Konka, 7,556 meters, is the highest mountain in Sichuan province. Two Americans measuring its altitude in 1932 made its first ascent. There have been a number of deaths (as many as 22, compared to just 24 people who have reached the summit) on Gongga Shan, which has earned it billing as a difficult and dangerous mountain.

Meili Xueshan, or Meili Snow Mountain, is a chain of 13 peaks, of which the highest is 6,740 meters, in Yunnan province. A branch of Tibetan Buddhism considers its mysterious main peak, Kawagarbo, a guarding divinity.

Xiannairi Mountains, or the three fairy mountains in Daocheng, Sichuan province, are 6,032 meters, 5,958 meters and 5,958 meters high respectively and represent three Bodhisattvas. The highest is its north peak, which resembles the Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus throne.

Chogori Mountain, located on the border between Pakistan's northern territories and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, northwest China, is the second-highest mountain on earth and also considered one of the most dangerous for mountaineering. The first ascent was in 1954 by two Italian climbers, after repeated unsuccessful attempts on its peak over the previous 50 years.

Mount Gang Rinpoche or Mount Kailash, 6,638 meters high, is located in the Tibet autonomous region. It is considered sacred in four religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the Bon faith. There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Gang Rinpoche since it is off limits to climbers. It is one of the most significant peaks in the world without any known climbing attempts.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/15/2009 page10)