description Namcha Barwa Overview
Namcha Barwa is a 7,782 m (25,531 ft) mountain in Tibet that marks the eastern terminus of the Himalayan arc. It stands at the dramatic bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (which becomes the Brahmaputra), where the river cuts through the Namcha Barwa-Gyala Peri massif to form one of the world's deepest gorges. First climbed in 1992 by a Chinese-Japanese expedition, the mountain remained largely unexplored until the 20th century due to its remote location.
insights Ranking position
Namcha Barwa ranks #33 of 187 in the Mountain ranking, behind Chimborazo, ahead of Mount Saint Elias.
help Namcha Barwa FAQ
What is the elevation of Namcha Barwa?
Namcha Barwa is a massive Himalayan peak standing at 7,782 meters in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It is considered the easternmost peak of the Himalayan arc.
Why is Namcha Barwa geographically significant to the Himalayas?
It marks the dramatic eastern terminus of the Himalayan arc, where the mountain range abruptly bends and drops off. At this point, the massive Yarlung Tsangpo River cuts through the Namcha Barwa-Gyala Peri massif to form one of the deepest canyons on Earth.
When was Namcha Barwa first successfully climbed?
Despite its massive height, the mountain was not summited until 1992 by a Chinese-Japanese expedition. Its isolation, extreme weather patterns, and highly active tectonic terrain kept it untouched for much longer than other high peaks.
What river carves the famous canyon near Namcha Barwa?
The Yarlung Tsangpo River, which eventually becomes the Brahmaputra River in India, wraps around the base of Namcha Barwa. As it cuts through the gorge near the mountain, it drops thousands of meters in elevation, creating some of the most violent, unnavigable whitewater in the world.
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