Next Exam Study : Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir

Amarnath Peak is a mountain with a peak elevation of 5,186 metres (17,014 ft), in the Ganderbal district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in the vicinity of Sonamarg. Amarnath Peak is part of the Himalayas, and is located south of Zojila and west of Machoi Glacier. It lies 117 km northeast from Srinagar, 13 km from Baltal in the southeast. It lies 6 km south of Zojila. The melt waters form a major tributary of the Sind River at Baltal.

Amarnath mountain is considered as a sacred mountain, it has a cave at its south face at an elevation of 3,800 metres (12,470 ft) known as Amarnath cave. The cave is believed to be the ancient and among most sacred places^[2] for pilgrimage in Hinduism. It is the centre for Hindu pilgrims during summer.

Climbing history and routes

Due to its religious importance, Amarnath Peak is not climbed. It was first surveyed in 1912 by a British medical team headed by Ernest Neve, who surveyed most of the peaks of this Himalayan range. The Scottish Colonel N. N. L. Watts also went through the tracks of this peak and discovered an easy route to ascend the peak in 1933,^[4] which leads from Zojila down to the south and a glacial ascent to the summit of Amarnath Peak.

Apart from the Zojila side, Amarnath Peak can be reached leaving the cave on the left side and climbing through the east face. The route as discovered by Watts is from the north face which is accessible from Srinagar 112 km (70 mi) by road NH 1D, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Sonamarg and 4 km (2.5 mi) climb to the glacier of the peak.

Apharwat Peak

Apharwat Peak is a summit, situated at a height of 4,390 metres (14,403 ft) above the sea level,^[1] in Gulmarg. It receives heavy snowfall and remains covered with snow for much of the year. The Line of Control (LOC) is barely a few kilometres away from here. Lying in the second phase of the cable car ride from Gulmarg, reaching this spot is highly dependent on the weather conditions.

Gulmarg has more than three acres of ski and snowboarding terrain. The beginner’s slopes start at about 7000 feet, while more serious runs of Phase 1 are at 10,000 feet. A chairlift can take ski and snowboard enthusiasts up to 11,500 feet, while Phase 2 is the highest run at 14,000 feet.

The gondola on Apharwat Peak, one of the Asia’s largest and highest cable car ringed by pine forests and snow capped Himalayan mountain peaks, takes skiers and snowboarders to the height of 3900 metres to 4100 metres on the mountain.

Brammah

Brammah is a mountain massif in the Kishtwar Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India, east of the town of Kishtwar and near the border with Himachal Pradesh. It comprises four peaks, listed in order from west to east.

Brammah II is the highest of the group, contrary to usual practice. While Brammah I is not the highest, it is the most dramatic, as it is situated at the western end of the massif, above a low base.

Brammah I is particularly notable both for its huge rise above local terrain and for its being the site of the first successful major climb in the Kishtwar Himalaya. British mountaineer Chris Bonington, along with Nick Estcourt, and aided by the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, made the first ascent of Brammah I in 1973 via the Southeast Ridge. Estcourt notes that “it is not the highest peak in Kishtwar, but it is the most obvious and elegant.”

The second ascent of Brammah I in 1978 was also made by a British group, comprising Paul Belcher, Duncan Nicholson, Jon Scott, and Anthony Wheaton. Unfortunately Nicholson and Scott perished on the descent.

Anthony Wheaton returned to the sister mountain, Brammah’s wife in 1979 and made the first British ascent with Richard Hester on September 16, 1979.

Gurung Hill

Gurung Hill is a mountain near the Line of Actual Control between the Indian- and Chinese-administered portions of Ladakh near the village of Chushul and the Spanggur Lake. As of 2020, the Line of Actual Control runs on the north–south ridgeline of Gurung Hill. To the west of Gurung lies the Chushul valley (or ‘Chushul Bown’) and to the right of it are mountains of Kailash Range forming the basins of the Spanggur Lake and the Pangong Lake in this area.

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, a battle was fought at Gurung Hill, which resulted in a victory for the Chinese forces.

The Gurung Hill is one of the mountains on the watershed mountain range between the Tsaka Chu river and the Spanggur Lake. The Chinese delegation at the 1960 border talks between China and India claimed this range as China’s ‘traditional customary boundary’, whereas India claimed a boundary further east, cutting across the Spanggur Lake. During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, pitched battles were fought along this range and, in the end, China’s claim line was enforced. It is now the Line of Actual Control between the two countries.

Gurung Hill on the north and the Maggar Hill on the south flank a wide gap in the mountains called the Spanggur Gap. The gap leads to the Spanggur Lake in the east and the town of Rutog beyond.

Gurung Hill has an inverted C-shaped ridge line. The southern wing of the ridge which flanks the Spanggur gap has a few relatively flat sections, the lowest of which is referred to as the ‘Camel’s Back’  by the Indian Army. A middle section of the ridge is termed the ‘Table Top’ (Chinese: 桌頂) and the top of the ridge the ‘Bump’ (Point 5524.5)  . The ridge rises from the valley floor at 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) to a height of 5,450 metres (17,880 ft). A branch of the ridge runs east from the ‘Bump’ and extends to some miles. It carries a strategic pass termed the ‘Quidijiankela Pass’  by the Chinese. In between the ‘Bump’ and the pass is the highest peak in the region, termed the ‘Black Top’ (Point 5684.6, Chinese: 黑頂)  by the Indian Army (Heiding in Chinese),at an elevation of 5,680 metres (18,640 ft).

The Gurung Hill ends in the north at a peak called ‘Point 5167’ . The recognised Line of Actual Control runs northeast from here towards the Pangong Lake, along a ridge termed the ‘Helmet’

Harmukh

Harmukh (also known as Mount Haramukh or Harmukh mountain) is a mountain with a peak elevation of 5,142 metres (16,870 ft), in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Harmukh is part of the Himalaya Range and is located between Nallah Sindh in the south and Kishanganga River in the north, rising above Gangabal Lake in the vicinity of Kashmir valley. It is mostly climbed from the northwestern side of Arin, Kudara Bandipore.

Harmukh, with Gangbal Lake at its foot, is considered a sacred mountain by Hindus. It is also known as ‘Kailash of Kashmir’  According to Kashmiri Hindus theology, Harmukh is the abode of Lord Shiva. According to the legend of “Hurmukhuk Gosoni”

Once a hermit tried to reach the summit of Harmukh to see Lord Shiva face to face. For twelve long years, he tried to scale the summit but failed until one day he saw a Gujar descending the summit. When the Gujar approached him, the hermit enquired as to what he had seen there. The Gujar said he had been searching for a stray goat, and that while searching he saw a couple milking a cow and drinking the milk from a human skull. The couple had offered him some milk, which he refused to drink; when they departed they rubbed a little of the milk on his forehead. When the Gujar indicated the spot where the milk was rubbed, the hermit was extremely joyful and rushed to lick his forehead. It is said that the hermit attained nirvana and disappeared from the place to the complete surprise of the Gujar.

Kazinag Peak

Kazinag Peak is a mountain with peak elevation of 4,732 metres (15,525 ft) meters from sea level, located in the tehsil Langate of district Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir in India. It forms part of the Line of Control between Pakistan and India.

On top stands the historic Kazinag spring, Satkhol Nag and Kazinag Glacier which provides water to the Mawar, Talar and Pohru rivers. It usually remains snow clad throughout the year. It is home to Markhor, an endangered species of mountain goat.

Kolahoi Peak

Kolahoi Peak is the highest mountain with a peak elevation of 17,799 ft (5,425 metres), in Jammu and Kashmir, in the vicinity of Sonamarg in Anantnag district. Kolahoi Peak is part of the Himalaya Range, and is located between 15 km south of Sonamarg and 21 km north from Aru, Pahalgam. To its north flows the Sind River and the glacier of its name Kolahoi Glacier is the source of Lidder River. in the vicinity of Kashmir valley.

Kolahoi Peak rises from the Kolahoi Glacier is a pyramid-shaped peak with ice falls and ice fields at its bottom. The rock formation of the peak is extraordinary stable with aretes and ridges.

Kolahoi Peak was first climbed by a British medical team headed by Dr Ernest Neve in 1912.

The easiest route to climb Kolahoi Peak is south face via Aru Pahalgam from which a 21 kilometers high altitude alpine trek leads to the glacier of the peak. From the rear side of Sonamarg leads a 15 kilometer trek via Sarbal Nallah to the summit, but one have to encounter the difficulties of ice falls from the glacier.

Two trekkers died and another one was injured by rockfall on Kolahoi Glacier while they were descending after making a successful summit on September 7, 2018. Deceased were identified as Naveed Jeelani and Adil Shah of Alpine adventurers sports group. Adil Shah headed the Alpine Adventurers travel group. A self created travel company.

Machoi Peak

Machoi Peak is a mountain with a peak elevation of 17,907 ft (5,458 metres), in Drass region of Ladakh and Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir , India. Machoi Peak is part of the Himalaya Range, and is located between Amarnath cave and Zojila. It lies 105 km north east from Srinagar, 25 km from Sonamarg in the east and 30 km from Drass. It rises from the glacier of its name Machoi Glacier is the source of Dras River in Drass, Ladakh and Sind River in the vicinity of Kashmir valley. Machoi Peak rises from the Machoi glacier is a pyramid-shaped peak with ice falls and ice fields at its bottom and ridges.

Machoi Peak was first surveyed by a British medical team headed by Dr Ernest Neve in 1912. It was later climbed by a team of Indian army on 10 September 1984.

The easiest route to climb Mechoi Peak is from the right side of Amarnath cave which leads to its west face, starts from Baltal a 20 kilometers high altitude alpine tract leads to the foothills of the peak. From the north side it is steep and one has to cross the whole Machoi glacier with ridges and falling ice. The east face of the peak is more difficult due to the remoteness of the area which starts from Matayan, Dras.

Mahadev Peak

Mahadev or Mahadev peak is a mountain peak in the vicinity of the Dachigam National Park in Srinagar District of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is visible from most parts of Srinagar city.

Sirbal Peak

Sirbal Peak is a mountain with a peak elevation of 5,235 metres (17,175 ft), in the Ganderbal district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in the vicinity of Sonamarg. Sirbal Peak is part of the Himalaya Range, and is located between Sonamarg and Baltal. It lies 102 km northeast from Srinagar, 5 km from Sonamarg in the east. Sirbal Peak lies 6 km west of Zojila. It rises from a glacier 5 km ahead from Sonamarg on left side of NH 1D. The melt waters from the glacier add to the flow of Nallah Sindh.

Sirbal Peak is visible from Sonamarg head towards north and from Nichinai pass towards east.

Sirbal Peak is among the peaks which stands unclimbed. It was first surveyed by a British medical team headed by Dr Ernest Neve in 1912, who surveyed most of the peaks of this Himalayan range ^. A Scottish Colonel N. N. L. Watts made an attempt in the second week of June 1933. He had attained more than 15000 feet, but he was caught in the bad weather and had to descend to the base camp Baltal along with his partner a local man hailing from Sopore.

The easiest route to climb Sirbal Peak is from the south face which is accessible from Srinagar by road NH 1D via Kokorun nar 5 km assend gorge track towards north leads to the glacier of the peak.

Sunset Peak

Sunset Peak also known as Romesh Thong is a mountain massif with a peak elevation of 4,745 metres (15,568 ft), in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the highest peak of this massif, the other peak is Tatakooti Peak 4,725 m (15,502 ft), Sunset Peak, as the name suggests lies in the west of The Vale of Kashmir as a whole. It is located 40 km west of Shopian town, 105 km southwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Early exploration of the Pirpanjal Range was carried by Thomas Montgomerie and Godwin Austen in 1856. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1901 by Dr Arthur Neve and Dr Ernest Neve, the British brothers who took the route via Yusmarg Konsar Nag and climbed the summit through north face.

The massif is accessed by 105 km (65 mi) by road from Srinagar. The Mughal Road passes through the base of this mountain which lies on the right side of the road.

Tatakooti Peak

Tatakooti Peak or Tatakuti is a mountain with a peak elevation of 4,725 metres (15,502 ft), in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The highest peak of this massif is Sunset Peak at 15,568 ft (4,745 metres). Tatakooti along with Sunset Peak lies in the west of The Vale of Kashmir. It is located 40 km west of Shopian town, 105 km southwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Early exploration of the Pirpanjal Range was carried by Thomas Montgomerie and Godwin Austen in 1856. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1901 by C. E. Barton and Dr Ernest Neve, British mountaineers. They took the route via Yusmarg Konsar Nag and climbed the summit via the north face.

The massif is accessed by road, 105 km (65 mi) from Srinagar. The Mughal Road passes through the base of this mountain which lies on the right side of the road.