The Himalaya and its associated ranges--the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien Shan, Kun Lun, and Altai--are unquestionably the highest, most extensive, and most impressive mountains in the world. On the planet, only here do peaks rise above 23,000' or 7000m, culminating in, of course, Mt. Everest (29,028'/8848m).
The vortex of this galaxy of mountains is the Pamir: from it the Hindu Kush radiates southwest, the Tien Shan northwest, the Kunlun to the east, and the Karakoram to the southeast. The Himalaya starts across from the Karakoram, and at its eastern end merges into the high ranges of south-central China.
Himalaya: Ten of the world's fifteen 8000m peaks rise in this massive range, the world's highest. High point: Mt. Everest (29,028'/8848m).
Karakoram: Four 8000m peaks are in this shorter range, parallel to and just northeast of the western Himalaya. High point: K2 (28,250'/8611m).
Pamir: A compact and remote grouping of high, interconnected ranges in Tajikistan and neighboring Xinjiang, China. High point: Kongur (25,325'/7719m).
Tien Shan: Sprawls across Kyrgyzia and Xinjiang north of the Pamir. High Point: Pik Pobedy (24,406'/7439m).
Hindu Kush: A short but very impressive range of icy peaks along the Pakistan-Afgahistan border. High point: Tirich Mir (25,230'/7690m).
Kunlun and Tibetan Plateau: The most remote high range in the world, the Kunlun marks off the northen boundary of the vast Tibetan Plateau, an expanse so high that 6000m peaks are barely cause for comment. High Point: Muztag (25,337'/7723m).
South-Central China: The great rivers of southeast Asia--the Salween, the Mekong, and the Yangtze--carve deep parallel canyons through misty forests in the dissected, complex ranges east of the Himalaya and Tibet. High Point: Gongga Shan, also known as Minya Konka (24,790'/7556m).
| Peak Name | Main Entry | Journal Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Everest, China/Nepal | Text and Photo |
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