| Amarnath Peak | |
|---|---|
  Amarnath Peak Amarnath on a map ofJammu and Kashmir | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,186 m (17,014 ft) |
| Prominence | 681 m (2,234 ft) |
| Coordinates | 34°13′30″N75°29′30″E / 34.22500°N 75.49167°E /34.22500; 75.49167 |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kashmir Valley |
| Parent range | Himalayas |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Never been climbed |
| Easiest route | Zojila side North face |
Amarnath Peak is amountain with a peak elevation of 5,186 metres (17,014 ft), in theGanderbal district of the Indianunion territory ofJammu and Kashmir, in the vicinity ofSonamarg. Amarnath Peak is part of theHimalayas, and is located south ofZojila and west ofMachoi Glacier. It lies 117 km northeast fromSrinagar, 13 km from Baltal in the southeast. It lies 6 km south of Zojila. The melt waters form a major tributary of theSind River at Baltal.[1]
Amarnath mountain is considered a sacred mountain. It has a cave at its south face at an elevation of 3,800 metres (12,470 ft) known asAmarnath cave. The cave is believed to be the ancient and among most sacred places[2] for pilgrimage inHinduism. It is the centre forHindu pilgrims during summer.
Due to its religious importance, Amarnath Peak is not climbed. It was first surveyed in 1912 by a British medical team headed byErnest Neve, who surveyed most of the peaks of this Himalayan range.[3] TheScottish Colonel N. N. L. Watts also went through the tracks of this peak and discovered an easy route to ascend the peak in 1933,[4] which leads from Zojila down to the south and a glacial ascent to the summit of Amarnath Peak.
Apart from the Zojila side, Amarnath Peak can be reached leaving the cave on the left side and climbing through the east face. The route as discovered by Watts is from the north face which is accessible fromSrinagar 112 km (70 mi) by roadNH 1D, 12 km (7.5 mi) fromSonamarg and 4 km (2.5 mi) climb to the glacier of the peak.[5]