Annapurna (Sanskrit, Nepali, Nepal Bhasa: is a section of theHimalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 m
(26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m
(22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft). This section is a 55 km-long
(34 mi-long) massif bounded by the Kali Gandaki
Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River
on the north and east, andPokhara Valley on the south. Annapurna I am tenth
among Earth's fourteen eight-thousanders. 8167 meter Dhaulagiri I
rise 34 km to the west across the Kali Gandaki
Gorge, considered Earth's deepest canyon.
Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which literally means "full
of food" (feminine form), but is normally translated as Goddess of the Harvests. In Hinduism, Annapurna is
"... the universal and timeless kitchen-goddess ... the mother
who feeds. Without her there is starvation, a universal fear: This makes
Annapurna a universal goddess ... Her most popular shrine is located in Kashi,
on the banks of the riverGanga." Her association with the giving
of food (wealth) led her in time to be transformed into Lakshmi,
the Goddess of Wealth.]
The
entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 7,629 km2Annapurna
Conservation Area, the first and largest conservation area in Nepal.
The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks, including
theAnnapurna
Circuit.
The
Annapurna peaks are among the world's most dangerous mountains to climb,
although in more recent history, using figures from only 1990 and after,Kangchenjunga has a higher fatality rate. As of the
end of 2009, there had been 157 summit ascents of Annapurna I, and 60 climbing
fatalities on the mountain. This fatality-to-summit ratio (38%) is the highest
of any of the eight-thousands. In
particular, the ascent via the south face is considered, by some, the most
difficult of all climbs.
The Annapurna Conservation Area
is a well known trekking region.
There are
three major trekking routes in the Annapurna region: the Jomson Trek toJomsom and Muktinath (increasingly disturbed by a
road-building project theAnnapurna
Sanctuary route to
Annapurna base camp; and the Annapurna
Circuit, which circles the Annapurna Himal itself and includes the Jomsom
route.The town of Pokhara usually serves as a starting point for
these treks, and is also a good starting place for other short treks of one to
four days, such as routes to Ghorepani or Ghandruk.
The Mustang district,
a former kingdom bordering Tibet, is also geographically a part of the
Annapurna region, but treks to upper Mustang are subject to special
restrictions.
About
two-thirds of all trekkers in Nepal visit the Annapurna region. The area is
easily accessible, guest houses in the hills are plentiful, and treks here
offer incredibly diverse scenery, with both high mountains and lowland
villages. Also, because the entire area is inhabited, trekking in the region
offers unique cultural exposure and experience.
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