Peak Climbing

Nepal, being a mountainous country, is well-known for mountaineering, expedition and peak climbing throughout the world because of holding eight out of fourteen highest peaks in the world. No doubt, Nepal has been the focus of outstanding achievements in the world of mountaineering. Nepal Himalaya has always remained a source of fascination and inspiration for people from all walks of life in the world. The word 'Himalaya' is derived from the two Sanskrit words "Him", meaning 'snow' and "Alaya", meaning 'abode'. Thus, it is called the abode of snow and the Gods. It is very fantastic for the hobby-climbers to summit the Himalayas in Nepal. It is also an opportunity for them to tackle a high Himalayan peak and experience the alpine nature, inner hospitality of the Nepalese people, the ever smiling faces of the rural people and incomparable culture of the Nepalese. Nepal, being situated in the centre of the Himalayan range, it boasts altogether eight peaks that exceed 8000m including Everest, the world's highest peak. Nepal has a junction of 1310 magnificent peaks over 6,000m. The dauntless icy peaks have posed as challenge to those who dare since many decades back. The government of Nepal has opened so far 326 peaks for mountaineering. In the last two years, the government has opened around 175 peaks to mark the Mount Everest Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is given the authority of issuing peak climbing certificates in all seasons to the climbers in association with Mountaineering Section of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA). The government has been controlling the flow of peak climbers emphasizing on the carrying capacity of the host community and embracing the notion of sustainability. The Himalaya is extremely young and geologically active. As the geologists report that the mountains are growing at a rate of 15 cm (6 inch) a year as the Indian plate moving northward and forcing under the Eurasian plate. The plate tectonics process causes frequent earthquakes in this region. Geologists also reported that the collision of continents squeezed up sedimentary rocks that were once below the sea and thus, the mountains of Himalaya are the outcome of the collision of continents.