Machhapuchare Himal

 

Mt.Fishtail

Machapuchare, (Fish's Tail) is a mountain situated in the Annapurna massif of Gandaki Pradesh, north-central Nepal. Its highest peak has never been officially climbed due to the impossibility of gaining a permit from the government of Nepal. Machapuchare (6,993 m)  is at the end of a long spur ridge, coming south out of the main backbone of the Annapurna massif, which forms the eastern boundary of the Annapurna Sanctuary.

 The peak is about 25 km (16 mi) north of the provincial headquarter of Pokhara. The sanctuary is a favorite trekking destination and the site of the base camps for the South Face of Annapurna and for numerous smaller objectives. The Mardi Himal trek,(Mardi Himal 5553m) for instance, climbs towards a minor peak.

Perhaps the most photogenic mountain amongst all others, Machhapuchhre translates to 'fishtail' in English. The name stands because of the pinnacle of the mountain which is shaped like the tail of the fish. This shape is most distinctly visible from the southwest side of the mountain.

In popular theory this beauty is also known as the virgin peak because the story goes; it is a sacred mountain related to Lord Shiva and climbing is forbidden on this mountain (the ban was put into effect in 1965). A Mountain that has never been climbed, But an event in 1957 seems to suggest otherwise. Colonel J.o.m Roberts led a team for the Machhapuchhere expedition only to return just 45 meters short of the peak.

There are two reasons for the unsuccessful climb that currently surfaces the mountaineering circles; first, they had to retreat because of bad weather and (snowStorm to be precise), and second, they intentionally didn't conquer the peak out of respect to the locals and their religious beliefs.

This expedition is well documented in a book by Wilfred Noyce titled "Climbing the fish's tail". Also, it is well known as accepted within certain climbing circles that Bill Denz, a New Zealand climber illegally climbed Machhapuchhre in the early 80s. By saying that, in no way do we mean to encourage illegal climbing? Nepal already has a fair share of rebels.