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Tharpu Chuli |
Situated in the heart of the
Annapurna Sanctuary, Tharpu Chuli is an
attractive mountain; part of the eidge line,
thrown south from Glacier Done, that includes
Singu Chuli and acts as a central divider
between the semi-circle of peaks enclosing the
Sanctuary. The mountain is sometimes confused
with Rakshi peak, a small summit and viewpoint
to the west of Tharpu Chuli, that stands above
named after Roberts’ dog!
As well as enjoyable climbing the mountains
offers one of the outstanding viewpoints of the
Annapurna massive. From its summit you have a
superb panorama of Hiunchuli (6331m/20771ft),
Annapurna South (7219m/ 23684ft), Fang (7647m/
25089ft), Gangapurna (7455m/ 24459ft), Annapurna
III (7555m/ 24787ft), Machhapuchhare (6993m/
22943ft) and of course Singu Chuli or Fluted
Peak (6501m/ 21329ft).
Seen from the moraines above the huts at the
Annapurna South base camp, the mountain takes on
a shape, aptly described by its former name Tent
Peak, with its long South-East Ridge forming the
sloping ridge pole. The lower half of the
South-West Face is a series of rocky gullies and
buttresses giving way to strongly etched snow
flutes. Under a lot of snow this gecomes a very
attractive aspect indeed with a good number of
lines. The North-West Ridge, itself the normal
line of ascent, which is gained by the flat
glacier to the west.
Tharpu Chuli’s relatively low altitude and
reasonable approach, without serious objective
danger, make this an attractive mountain,
especially when combined with its position and
ease of access. At present three routes have
been recorded and many more are obviously
possible. Because of the large number of
climbing expeditions that enter the Sanctuary it
might well be the peak has received a lot of
unnoticed attention. |
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