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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 Chulis 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. |
