Asia, Nepal, Ganesh Himal, Taple Shikhar, First Ascent

Publication Year: 1999.

Tapie Shikhar, First Ascent. Not far south-southwest of Drohmo is the 6341-meter mountain generally known as Cross Peak (its Nepalese name is Taple Shikhar). The mountain had been attempted only once before, by Japanese in 1963; it is not at the present time on the tourism ministry’s list of peaks open to climbers. Nevertheless, a Japanese couple came to complete the effort of 35 years ago, and Mrs. Misako Miyazawa, who is not a highly experienced Himalayan climber, said she and three Nepalese (Pemba Lama, Gumba Sherpa, and Kancha Sunwar) managed to gain the summit in ten days’ ascent of the south face to southeast ridge on October 8. “It was very difficult for me, but the Sherpas helped me, and thanks to them I got to the top.... I was very lucky—I was protected by God.”

Elizabeth Hawley