For many years, the mountainous circle has listed 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, of which Nepal is the host of eight of them. However, absorbing the recent debates, it is understood that Nepal may include half a dozen more mountains in this list, although it looks like a piece of fiction to me because high-altitude conquering history has already been spoken for.

Are these just mere words, or will Nepal materialize this concept by federal law? And what are the potential tracks of the climbers and the records? Let’s dive deeper.

The Current 8,000m Peaks in Nepal

Nepal is one of the homes to the world’s highest 14 mountains, with 8 of them standing on its territory. These are:

• Mount Everest (8,848m)
• Kangchenjunga (8,586m)
• Lhotse (8,516m)
• Makalu (8,485m)
• Cho Oyu (8,188m)
• Dhaulagiri I (8,167m)
• Manaslu (8,163m)
• Annapurna I (8,091m)

Other 6 of them are located in Pakistan (K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I & II, Broad Peak) and min Nepal (Shishapangma), which is not far from the border with China.

The Six Potential New Additions

According to some reports, Nepal has in its contemplation the recognition of six new peaks higher than 8,000m which were formerly regarded as secondary summits. Among the possible members there could be the following:

1. Yarlung Khang (8,505m)

• Status: Sometimes considered part of Kangchenjunga’s massif.
• Location: Near Kangchenjunga
• Controversy: If recognized, it could become the third-highest peak in the world, surpassing K2 (8,611m).

2. Kangchenjunga West (8,505m)

• Current Status: It is a sub-peak of Kangchenjunga.
• Significance: Successfully scaled, but it is not included in the list of 8,000m peaks.

3. Kangchenjunga Central (8,473m)

• Debate: Some people argue that it is just the main peak’s shoulder.

4. Lhotse Middle (8,413m)

• Climbing History: The hill is rarely climbed separately as most of the ascents are part of Lhotse climbs.

5. Lhotse Shar (8,383m)

• First Ascent: By an Austrian expedition in 1970.
• Question: Is it a separate mountain or is it just a sub-peak?

6. Annapurna Fang (8,017m)

• Uncertainty

Why Nepal want to make this change?

1. To improve mountaineering tourism

• With more 8,000m peaks, there would be more proposals, and permits and therefore more income.
• Some climbers are likely to attempt “new” records, making Nepal more attractive.

2. The technical and survey updates

• Present-day technologies such as GPS and LiDAR that have been used for surveys can provide reasons to change the grading of the peaks.
• Nepal has had to change the heights of some of its mountains before (for example, Everest’s new height in 2020).

3. The political & national pride

• The presence of more 8,000m peaks will increase Nepal’s rating as the “Home of the Himalayas.”
• The possibility is that the attention will be drawn from the peaks in Pakistan’s Karakoram.

The difficulties and the disputes

1. Can we consider these mountains independent?

• The definition of an independent peak by the international climbing federation (UIAA) refers to the prominence (usually separated from the main summit by 500m+) of a peak.
• Many known peaks don’t qualify for this criterion as “new” ones.

2. Influence on mountaineering records

• If the new peaks get acknowledged, climber such as Nirmal Purja (who speeded all the 14 peaks and set a record) may have to climb them.
• Purists claim that the exclusive original should be the only record.

3. Security and Environmental Issues

• There are concerns that more trekking parties can lead to greater risks to nature and the environment in the sensitive areas.

What will be the Next step?

 The heights are correct by doing some surveys. International Recognition Needed: UIAA and other entities must give their consent to it. There would be 14 of the highest peaks in the world (actually 8) in Nepal, if the proposal were accepted; this situation would completely redefine the sport of mountaineering.

Final Thoughts

The mountaineering community is still not unanimous about the brilliant original idea. Should subsidiary mountains be regarded as distinct 8,000er peaks? And should the first 14 peaks continue to be the chief targets?

Your opinion matters! Do you agree that Nepal should homologate these mountains? Write your answer in the comments section!