Nepal recognises 6 Himalayan sub-peaks, expands 8,000-metre mountain list to 14

KATHMANDU: Nepal has officially recognised six Himalayan sub-peaks above 8,000 metres, raising its national tally of such mountains from eight to 14.

The Department of Tourism updated its official peak profile following technical geographical surveys. The newly recognised summits belong to the Kanchenjunga and Lhotse mountain ranges in eastern Nepal.

The four summits recognised within the Kanchenjunga massif are Yalung Khang (8,505m), Kanchenjunga South (8,476m), Kanchenjunga Central (8,473m) and Yalung Khang West (8,077m). The two summits recognised within the Lhotse massif are Lhotse Middle (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,400m).

The government is preparing technical documentation for submission to the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) seeking international recognition of the six peaks as separate 8,000-metre mountains.

If approved by international mountaineering authorities, the global number of recognised 8,000-metre mountains would increase from 14 to 20, with Nepal hosting 14 of them.