Stok Kangri

Stok Kangri (6,153 metres (20,187 ft)) is the highest mountain in the Stok Range of the Zazkar Mountains a Trans-Himalayan mountain in the Ladakh region of north India. The peak is located in Hemis National Park,[2] 12 km southwest of the trailhead (3,610 metres (11,844 ft)) in the village of Stok and around 15 km southwest of the city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh.

Stok Kangri
Stok Kangri as seen from the Shanti Stupa, Leh.
Highest point
Elevation6,070 m (19,910 ft) [1]
ListingUltra
Coordinates33°59′10″N 77°26′33″E 
Geography
Parent rangeStok Range
Climbing
First ascent1951
Stok Kangri (the highest peak) seen from Leh.

Despite its high altitude, Stok Kangri is a popular trekking peak and is often climbed as an initial non-technical foray into high altitude mountaineering. However, the difficulty of Stok Kangri is often underestimated and the need to acclimatise before and during the ascent makes Stok Kangri an enduring challenge.[3][4]

In late July and August, all but the top of the peak may be snow-free. The elevation data was verified by GPS readings from 11 satellites at the Summit during a late July 2007 joint Nepalese-US expedition which encountered snow cover for 85% of the final four-hour, four km, 900 metre climb. Another GPS reading provided a 6136-meter elevation.[5] The shortest route to the peak is along the Stok valley, following the Stok Chu to Stok village.[6] This valley's grazing landscape, especially near the village, was devastated by the 2010 Ladakh floods, the most severe in decades.[7]

In December 2019, the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association announced that Stok Kangri is closed for trekking and climbing from 2020 to 2023, due to over-tourism. The interval is meant give the region a chance to recuperate.[8]

Ascent

The peak is considered non-technical during July–August, but becomes quite technical during the height of winter. Even in summer, novices should be well prepared, with appropriate physical fitness and equipment. The climb is exhausting and requires a good amount of stamina, both physically and mentally. The First official winter ascent was made by a British team in March 2002, Led by Ross Cooper, with Chris Hall, Paul Janlid, Mykl White and Caroline Williams. At the age of 20 years, Ross Cooper was the youngest expedition leader recorded by the IMF.[9]

It can take anything from two to five days to reach base camp (4,980 metres (16,339 ft)) from the village of Stok, depending on acclimatisation schedules and fitness levels.[10] The summit day lasts 8–14 hours, ascending over 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) from Stok Kangri's base camp to its summit.[11] [12]

References
  1. Aitken, Bill (2003). Footloose in the Himalaya. Orient Blackswan. p. 188. ISBN 9788178240527.
  2. "Hemis National Park on Google Maps". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. Majumdar, Arjun. "Why the Stok Kangri trek in Ladakh is meant for the experienced trekker". indiahikes.com. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. Allen, Nick. "Stok Kangri: A Different Kind of Success". www.masteringmountains.org. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  5. "Stok Kangri GPS Measured". nalajcie.org/2013/09/23/stok-kangri-trekking/. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. Partha S Banerjee (2016). Ladakh and Zanskar Trekking Map (Map). 1:175,000. Milestone Himalayan Series. Kolkata: Milestone Books. ISBN 978-81-903270-9-1.
  7. "Ladakh Floods & Climbing Mountains, India – August 2010 | Stephen Cunliffe". www.stevecunliffe.com. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  8. "Stok Kangri To Close For 3 Years". The Outdoor Journal. 6 December 2019.
  9. "Trekkers Guide for Stok Kangri". www.thefreebird.net.
  10. "How to Climb Stok Kangri (6,153m), Leh and organise it yourself". Oscar Boyd | Journalist | Fukuoka & Japan. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  11. "Stok Kangri – Itinerary". www.jagged-globe.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  12. "Stok Kangri Trek – Complete Details". www.trekthehimalayas.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.

Loram, C., 2004, Trekking in Ladakh (3rd Edition), India Trekking Guides, Trailblazer Publications, 304 p., ISBN 978-1873756751.

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