Panchchuli

Infobox Mountain
Name = Panchchuli
Photo = Panchchuli mountain (00307).jpg
Caption = Panchchuli from Chaukori
Elevation = Convert|6904|m|ft|0|abbr=on
Location = Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, IND
Range = Kumaon Himalaya
Coordinates = coord|30|12|51|N|80|25|39|E|type:mountain [http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/karakoram.html Karakoram and India ultra-prominent peaks] on peaklist.org]
Prominence = Convert|1614|m|ft|0|abbr=on

The Panchchuli peaks are a group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks lying at the end of the eastern Kumaon region, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand state, India. The peaks have altitudes ranging from Convert|6334|m|ft|0 to Convert|6904|m|ft|0. They form the watershed between the Gori and the Darmaganga valleys. Panchchuli is also located on the Gori Ganga-Lassar Yankti divide. The group lies Convert|138|km|mi|0|abbr=on|abbr=on from Pithoragarh.

The five peaks on the Panchchuli massif are numbered from northwest to southeast. The highest peak is Panchchuli II, which was first scaled by an Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition in 1972. The group's name is derived the legendary Pandavas's "Five Chulis" (cooking hearths), where they cooked their last meal before proceeding toward their heavenly abode.

Five peaks of Panchchuli

Panchchuli-1 (6,355 m)

The first ascent of this peak was done by Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) team in 1972, via Uttari Balati glacier, led by Hukam Singh.The coordinates of this peak are Latitude 30°13'12" Longitude 80° 25'12".

Panchchuli-2 (6,904 m)

This is the highest peak in the group. The first ascent was done by an Indo-Tibetan Border Police team on 26 May, 1973. They climbed from the Balati plateau and via the southwest ridge to the summit. The contingent was led by Mahendra Singh. The coordinates of the peak are Latitude 30°12'51" Longitude 80°25'39".

Panchchuli-3 (6,312 m)

This peak is climbed successfully in 2001 through south eastern ridge. The coordinates of this peak are Latitude 30°12'00" Longitude 80°26'24".

Panchchuli-4 (6,334 m)

The first ascent of this peak was made in 1995 by a New Zealand expedition led by John Nankervis. The expedition members who summited were; John Nankervis (Wellington), Peter Cammell (Auckland), John Cocks (Dunedin), and Nick Shearer (Oamaru). Peter Platts (Christchurch) assisted the expedition as far as camp 2. The coordinates of this peak are Latitude 30°11'24" Longitude 80°27'00".

Panchchuli-5 (6,437 m)

The first ascent of this peak was made in 1992 by an Indo-British team jointly led by Chris Bonington and Harish Kapadia by the south ridge. The coordinates of this peak are Latitude 30°10'48" Longitude 80°28'12".

Approaches to Panchchuli

Eastern approach

This route is via the Sona Glacier and Meola Glacier.

Western approach

This route is through the Uttari Balati Glacier via Balati Plateau.

References