CLASSIFICATION OF THE HIMALAYA¹

Compiled by H. ADAMS CARTER

This study aims to classify the different groups of the Himalaya from its eastern end westward through the peake of Garhwal (Uttar Pradesh) in India. Wherever data have been available, it gives a listing of all peaks above 6500 m (21,326 ft) and all officially named peaks between 6000 m (19,685 ft) and 6500 m with altitudes and coordinates. In some ranges, where peaks are lower, some unnamed peaks in the second category have been included.

The Nepalese section depends almost entirely on the outstanding work done by Dr Harka Gurung and Dr Ram Krishna Shrestha. These two Nepalese scholars put together an inventory of all Nepalese peaks above 6000 m with the latest altitudes, corrected names and coordinates. They used primarily the Survey of India topographic sheets at a scale of an inch to a mile (1:63,360). They also used maps at 1:50,000 prepared for the Sino-Nepalese Boundary Agreement of 1979.

For the Indian regions, extensive use was made of three maps published by the Schweizerische Stiftung filr Alpine Forschungen (Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research) of Sikkim, Garhwal East and Garhwal West. Harish Kapadia and Dhiren Toolsidas in particular gave great assistance by checking Indian data against further information available to them. Col Lakshmi Pati Sharma made Valuable suggestions. Dr Shi Yafeng also helped by providing an excellent Chinese map of the Everest region. In all sections, the Japanese Moutaineering Maps of the World proved indispensable.

Dr Zbigniew Kowalewski had made fine studies, which are reflected here. I am also grateful to many people, including Soli Mehta, Jimmy Roberts, Trevor Braham, Capt M. S. Kohli, Brig Jag jit Singh and others who criticized a preliminary rough draft.

It will be noted that some of the altitudes differ from what may have been previously accepted. These are the results of recent surveys. Also, some of the names are different (Kumbhakarna instead of Jannu, for instance), but the ones published are those which are now officially accepted by the various countries. Spellings have been made as much as possible to accord with what is used in the countries concerned.

Unfortunately in some regions available data are scanty. It is unlikely that very accurate surveys have been made in Bhutan. Indian authorities have been reluctant to give out information (which at the moment prevents continuing this survey farther to the west) and Chinese (Tibetan) sources have been very scant.

 

This study was instigated when the late Toni Hiebeler requested the compiler to give a paper at the Himalaya Conference of the German Alpine Club in Munich in March 1983. The Karakoram had been classified admirably at the Karakoram Conference of 1937 as reported in the Himalayan Journal, Vol. X, 1938 on pages 86 to 125, but nothing similar had been done for the rest of the great Asian chains.

In defining various mountain ranges, the chief landmarks used here are major rivers and passes. In many cases where the mountains diminish to lesser altitudes, there is no attempt made to make a definitive border, especially in the north and south. Although for the most part the great peaks lie in the Great Himalaya, the next well defined chain to the north, the Zanskar mountains, has some of the high peaks, such as Kamet and the mountains which divide western Nepal from Tibet.

The Eastern Himalaya as far west as the Kangphu-Amo Chu west of Bhutan is given only in summary for lack of data.

1. Eastern Himalaya to the Kuru Chu
2. From the Kuru Chu to Kangphu-Amo Chu
3. Kangphu-Amo Chu to Arun River
4. Arun River to Sun Kosi
5. Sun Kosi to the Trisuli Gandaki
6. Trisuli Gandaki to the Kali Gandaki
7. Kali Gandaki to the Kali
8. Kali to Sutlej and Tons

 

 

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Namcha Barwa Range. Much of this range lies in China. It starts in the northeast with Gyala Peri (7150 m). It includes the Great Bend of the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), where Namcha Barwa (7762 m) lies. The southwestern border of the group is the Siyom river (also on some maps JSiropate or Shapaleng), which joins the Tsangpo at Miging.

Pachakshiri Range. This goes from the Siyom on the northeast as far as the river which is called Chayul Chu in its northern part and {Subansiri farther south. The highest mountains appear to be Nyegyi Kangsang (7047 m.) and Gori Chen (6858 m).

Kangto Range. From the Chayul Chu on the east this group extends to the Kuru Chu on the west. This section has its western part in Bhutan. The Kuru Chu flows south from the Mo la in Bhutan. Kangto rises in this range to 7090 m.

 

 

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Kunla Kangri Range. This area is separated from the Eastern Himalaya by the deep valley of the Kuru Chu in the east. It extends west to the Gonto la, the Gophu la and the Mangde Chu. In the eastern portion, several 6000 m peaks lie on the Bhutanese-Tibetan frontier, the highest of which is Chura Kang (c. 6500 m), just east of the Monlakarchung la. Farther west lie the highest peaks in the Bhutanese Himalaya, mostly on the frontier. The peak which may be the highest, Kiinla Kangri (7554 m) lies north of the main ridge in Tibet. Along the frontier from east to west lie Melunghi Kang (c. 7000 m), Kankarpunzum (7541 m) and Chum-hari Kang (c. 6600 m). Since the surveying has not been very accurate, it might be that Kankarpunzum, given as 13 m lower, could be higher than Kiinla Kangri.

Lunala Range. Extending from the Gonto la, the easternmost source of the Pho Chu on the east, it goes in the west to the Toma la, where the Mo Chu springs (known downstream as the Tsa Chu and Sankosh). The name comes from the Lunala district which the range borders on the north. The principal frontier peaks from east to west are Zongophu Kang (c. 7100 m), Kangphu Kang (7212 m), Jejekangphu Kang (c. 7100 m) and Teri Kang (c. 7100 m). South of the Waghye la and southwest of Teri Kang, entirely within Bhutan, lies Tsenda Kang (c. 7100 m).

Chomolhari Range. From the Toma la and the Mo Chu on the east, this range runs from northeast to southwest along the northwestern border of Bhutan to the Tremo la. The western edge runs along the river known in Tibet as the Kangphu, in Bhutan as the Amo Chu and in India as the Torsa. In the northeast lies Masang Kang (c. 7200 m), south of the Toma la. The Kancheda group lies along the frontier. There are three principal summits, the highest of which is 6678 m. Farther southwest along the frontier lie Chum Kang (6536 m), Tshering Kang (6800 m) and Chomolhari (7315 m).

 

 

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Dongkya Range. The eastern limit is the Kangphu Chu, which farther south becomes the Amo Chu. The western limit is the Kongra la and the Tista river. Here, as is true with many groups, the northern and southern boundaries are where the mountains fall to lower altitudes.

 

 

Chorten Nyima Range. These peaks are on or near the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet. The eastern limit is the Kongra la and the Tista river. The southwestern limit is the Lhonak Chu, Goma Chu and the South Lhonak glacier. The western limit is the Lashar glacier.

 

Kangchertjunga Himal. The northern limit of this range is the Lhonak Chu, Goma Chu and Jongsang la. The eastern limit is the Tista river. The western limit runs from the Jongsang la down the Ginsang and Kangchenjunga glaciers and the Ghunsa khola and the Tamur river. The group lies both in Nepal and Sikkim.

Because of the size of the range, it may be well to subdivide it. The Northern Subsection is divided from the rest of the section on the south by the Zemu glacier, the 6685 m col between Kangchenjunga South and Talung, the upper Yalung glacier, the col between P 7468 and P 7385 and the Kumbhakarna glacier.

 

The Singalila Subsection straddles the Nepalese-Sikkimese border. It extends north to the 6685 m col between Kangchenjunga South and Talung. Its eastern limit is the Talung glacier and its western limit is the Yalung glacier.

 

The Western Sikkim Subsection is limited on the north by the Zemu glacier and on the west by the Talung glacier.

 

The Kumbhakarna Subsection is limited on the north by the Kumbhakarna glacier, on the east by the col between P 7468 and P 7385 and the Yalung glacier and on the south also by the Yalung glacier.

 

Janak Himal. The eastern limit descends south from the Jong-sang la (6144 m) down the Ginsang and the Kangchenjunga glaciers and the Ghunsa khola. The western limit runs south from the Ghang la (5752 m).

 

Umbak Himal. This group is limited on the east by the Ghang la (5752 m), Pelam Chu and Yangma Chu and on the west by the Rakha la (5067 m), Walsang khola and Arun river.

 

 

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Mahalangur Himal. This enormous range contains some of the highest mountains in the world, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. It is bounded on the east by the Popti la and the Arun river and on the west by the Gyabrag glacier, the Nangpa la, Nangpa Tsangpo and Dudh Kosi. It extends far north into Tibet.

The Makalu Subsection has the same eastern limit as the whole Himal: Popti la and Arun river. On the west and southwest it extends from the Kharta glacier, over the Karpo la and the 6130 m col east of $hartse and down the Barun glacier and Barun khola.

 

The. Barun Subsection has its northern limit at the 6220 m col north of Cho Polo. Its eastern limit is the Barun glacier and the Barun khola. Its southwestern limit descends the Lhotse Shar glacier, the Imja glacier, the Imja khola and the Dudh Kosi.

 

The Khumbu Subsection's eastern and southeastern limits run south from the Kharta glacier, over the Karpo la, across the Kang-chung glacier, over the col east of Shartse and to the southwest along the Lhotse Shar glacier, the Imja glacier and the Imja khola. The western limit runs south from the Gyabrag glacier over the Nangpa la and down the Nangpa glacier, the Nangpa Tsangpo and the Dudh Kosi. The group extends well into Tibet. Peaks entirely in Tibet are marked with an asterisk(*).

 

Rolwaling Himal. This range has as its eastern limit the Gya-brag glacier and the Nangpa la, the Nangpa Tsangpo and the Dudh Kosi. The western limit is the Tamba Kosi.

 

Pamari Himal. This range has as its eastern limit the Tamba Kosi and as its western one the Sun Kosi. Erwin Schneider calls the group the Lapchi Kang

 

 

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Jugal Himal and Langtang Himal. These two groups have always been treated as two distinct ranges but it seems difficult to justify this division. The whole is bordered on the east by the Sun Kosi and on the west by the Trisuli-Bhote Kosi. The high peaks which extend far into Tibet and lie entirely in that region are marked by an asterisk (*). The traditional division into two groups runs south from 'Risum' (7050 m) down the Langtang glacier and the Langtang khola with the Jugal Himal east and south of this line.

 

The Langtang Himal subdivision is the part of this group which lies west and north of a line that runs south from 'Risum', down the Langtang glacier and Langtang khola.

 

 

 

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Ganesh Himal. The eastern limit is the Trisuli-Bhote Kosi. On the west it is divided from the Searang Himal by a semi-circle which runs from the Taple la (5104 m; Y'anju pass) down the Shyar khola to its junction with the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki. It is divided on the west from the Mansiri Himal. by the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki.

 

Serang (Sringi) Himal. This group is bounded on the east by the Taple la (5104 m; Yanju pass) and the Shyar khola. On the south it is limited in a semi-circle: which runs down the Shyar khola and up the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki to its junction with the Tom khola. On the west it is bounded by the Tom khola and the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki.

 

Kutang Himal. The eastern limit is the Tom khola. The southern limit is the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki. The western limit is the Gya la and the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki.

 

Mansiri (Manaslu) Himal. This group is bounded on the east by the Gya la and the Budhi (Burhi) Gandaki. In the north its limit starts from the Larkya la and descends the Dudh khola. On the west it is limited by the Marsyangdi river.

 

Peri Himal. Its southeast limit is the Gya la, the Larkya la and the Dudh khola. It is bounded on the south by the Dudh khola and the Marsyangdi river. Its western limit runs from between Chako and P 6687 at about 84°2(/ N south along the Hulung khola, Nar khola and Phu khola.

 

Damodar Himal. The eastern limit runs south from between Chako and P 6687 at about 80° 20' N south along the Hulung khola, the Nar khola and the Phu khola. On the south it is bounded by the Marsyangdi river and the Mesoanto la. On the west its limit is the Kali Gandaki and on the north it is limited by the Parchekya la (5447 m). Dr Harka Gurung separates the first three peaks be¬low and the region west of Bhrikuti into the Lugula Himal.

 

Annapurna Himal. Its eastern limit is the Marsyangdi river in Lamjung and its northern limit is the Marsyangdi in Manang. It is bounded on the west by the Kali Gandaki.

 

 

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Dhaulagiri Himal. The eastern limit is the Kali Gandaki. The northern limit is the Barbung khola, the Sangda la (5124 m) and Kena Lungpo. The western limit is the Bheri river.

 

Dolpo Himal. This group is bounded on the east and south by the Barbung khola, on the west by the Sibu khola and Suli gad (Phoksumdo) and on the north by the Panjang khola.

 

Kanjiroba Himal. The eastern limit is the Phoksumdo Tso and the Suli gad. The northern limit is the Langu khola and the western limit is the Chaudbise khola and the Churta khola.

 

Mustang Himal. The eastern limit is the Parchekya la (5447 m), the Mustang khola and the Kali Gandaki. The southern limit is the Sangda la (5124 m) and Kena Lungpo, and the western limit is the Sana la (5465 m) and Tahana khola.

 

Gautam Himal. The eastern limit is the Laru la (5239 m) and Tahana khola ; the western limit is the Laru la (5239 m) and Khung khola. On the south it is bordered by the Panjang Chu (Langu khloa)

 

Palchung Hanga Himal. The eastern limit is the Laru La (5239 m) and Khung khola and the western limit is a point just west of P 6236 and Segja khola. It extends south to the Panjang Chu (Langu khola).

 

Kanti Himal. The eastern limit is a point just west of P 6326 and Segja khola; the western limit is the Namja la (4986 m) and Mugu khola. On the south it is bordered by the Langu khola.

 

Gorakh Himal. The eastern limit is the Namja la (4986 m) and Mugu khola; it extends to the west to a point just west of P 6198. It is bordered on the south by the Humla Patan.

 

Changla Himal. This group extends on the east from a point just west of P 6198 to the Chang la (5293 m) on the west. The Humla Karnali borders it on the south.

 

Chandi Himal. The eastern limit is the Chang la (5293 m), the western limit is the Lapche la (5018 m) and the southern limit is the Humla Karnali.

 

Nalakankar Himal. The eastern limit is the Lapche la (5018 m). The Humla Karnali borders it on the south and southwest.

 

Gurans Himal. This group is bordered on the east by the Humla Karnali, on the north by the Humla Karnali and the Lipu Lekh and on the west by a line from the Lipu Lekh southwest along the Kali ganga. The Saipal Himal Subsection is the part lying east of the Seti river.

 

The Yoka Pahar Subsection is the part lying east of the Seti.

 

 

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Eastern Kumaon Himalaya. The eastern limit of this division is the Lipu Lekh and the Kali river. The western limit is the Kungri-bingri la, over the Unta Dhura, through Milam and down the Ghori ganga. It must be understood that mountain ranges often divide one district from another and so a mountain group lies in or be¬tween different geographical regions. Therefore, the whole of the Kumaon is not included in this group since the Nanda Devi range descends into the western and southern Kumaon. Some Indian Himalayan authorities prefer to classify groups by from which side they are approached and to divide the groups along a watershed. Confusion can arise amid the watershed peaks. Therefore, the present classification rejects this concept.

 

Nanda Devi Group. The eastern limit starts at the Kungribingri la, goes over the Unta Dhura, through Milam and down the Ghori ganga. The western limits are from the Kiunglang la (Niti pass) down the Dhauliganga.

Three somewhat artificial subsections may be made. The Eastern Nanda Devi subsection¹ includes the region from the eastern border of the whole group to a line on the west just west of Uja Tirche, Tirsuli and Hardeol, along but below the crest, of the eastern wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary to Traill's pass.

 

 

The Northern Nanda Devi Subsection includes all peaks north of the Rishi ganga. Barmatia appears to be the only named 6000er north of the Girthi ganga, but it has been placed in this section although it really is in the Zanskar rather than in the Great Hima¬laya.

 

The Southem Nanda Devi Subsection. This includes all the peaks south of the Rishi ganga. Some Indian experts would have preferred referring to the southernmost peaks as the Pindari subsection.

 

Kamet Group. The eastern and southern limits start from the Kiunglang la (Niti pass) and continue along the Dhauliganga. The western limit is the Mana pass and the Saraswati river which be comes the Alaknanda farther south.

 

Gangotri Group. The eastern limit is the Mana pass and the Saraswati river, which becomes the Alaknanda. The western boundary is the Chor gad, the Jadh ganga and the Bhagirathi river. Some Indian experts would prefer to divide the group further, sepa¬rating those peaks approached from the Alaknanda from those ap¬proached by the Bhagirathi but this does not seem to be logical. Because of the size of the group, the peaks are grouped in two sub¬sections. The Northeastern Gangotri subsection includes those peaks north of the Bhagirathi river and northeast of the Gangotri glacier.

 

The Southwestern Gangotri subsection consists of those peaks south of the Bhagirathi river and southwest of the Gangotri glacier.

 

Bandarpunch range. This range includes the Garhwal peaks north and west of the Bhagirathi river. Its eastern limit is the Chor gad, the Jadh ganga and the Bhagirathi river. The western limit is the Tons river. The northern limit is the Lamkhaga pass and the Borasu pass.

 

 

 

Exact positions and altitudes of the peaks in The Nepalese Himalaya are subject to further revision as a result of a series of Doppler slant bar satellite observations which are being carried out during 1984-85 by a British Army Survey Team in cooperation with the Surveyor General of Nepal to precisely position all the first order survey stations in Nepal. Results will not be available for at Jeast one year.

 

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