Gangkhar Puensum 1171508 216266084 2008-05-31T21:45:59Z DidiWeidmann 6171691 {{Infobox Mountain | Name = Gangkhar Puensum | Photo = GangkharPuensum3.jpg | Caption = | Elevation = {{convert|7570|m|ft|0|lk=on}}<br><small>[[List of highest mountains|Ranked 40th]]</small> | Location = [[Bhutan]], [[Tibet]] | Range = [[Himalaya]] | Prominence = {{convert|2995|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | Coordinates = {{coord|28|06|N|90|26|E|type:mountain|display=inline,title}} | First ascent = Unclimbed | Easiest route = }} '''Gangkhar Puensum''' is the highest mountain in [[Bhutan]] and the [[highest unclimbed mountain]] in the world with an elevation of 7570 metres and a [[Topographic prominence|prominence]] of over 2990 metres. After Bhutan was opened for mountaineering in [[1983]] there were four expeditions that made failed summit attempts in [[1985]] and [[1986]]. However, in [[1998]], a team successfully climbed a subsidiary peak of the mountain from [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]. Gangkhar Puensum, alternative transliteration Gangkar Punsum or Gankar Punzum (meaning [http://www2.cruzio.com/~voyageur/gangkhar.htm 3 mountain siblings]"), had its altitude first measured in [[1922]] but maps of the region are not at all accurate and the mountain is shown in different locations and with markedly different heights. Indeed, because of inadequate mapping, the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all. The book of the [[1986]] British expedition gives the mountain's height as 24,770 feet and states that Gangkhar Puensum is completely inside Bhutan, whereas the nearby [[Kula Kangri]] is completely inside Tibet. Kula Kangri, 7554 metres, is a separate mountain 30 km to the northeast which was first climbed in [[1986]]. It is variously mapped and described as being in Tibet or Bhutan. Since [[1994]] climbing of mountains in Bhutan higher than 6000 metres has been prohibited out of respect for local spiritual beliefs and since [[2003]] mountaineering has been forbidden completely. Gangkhar Puensum may keep its unique status for some time: Any higher unclimbed peaks in the world are likely to be subsidiary tops, not separate mountains. In [[1998]] a Japanese expedition secured permission from the Chinese Mountaineering Association to climb the mountain, but permission was withdrawn because of a political issue with Bhutan. Instead, in [[1999]], the team set off from Tibet and successfully climbed the 7535 metre subsidiary peak, [[Liankang Kangri]] (also known as Gangkhar Puensum North). Unlike most maps, the expedition's report shows this summit as being in Tibet and the Tibet-Bhutan border is shown crossing the summit of Gangkhar Puensum, described as "the highest peak in Bhutan," at 7570 metres. This elevation is supported by Japanese sources, in turn based on Chinese sources. It has not been surveyed by Bhutan. ==References and External links== * Berry, Steven K. (1988). ‘’The Thunder Dragon Kingdom: A Mountaineering Expedition to Bhutan’’ (1st ed.). Marlborough: Crowood Press ISBN 1-85223-146-7 and Seattle: Cloudcap Press ISBN 0-938567-07-1. This is the book of the 1986 British Expedition. * [http://www.nirvanaexpeditions.com/pictures/nature/imagepages/image3.htm Nirvana Expeditions] photograph of the mountain (visual site, flora and fauna). * [http://www.himalayankingdoms.com/ Himalayan Kingdoms Ltd] * [http://tin-tin-trekking.com/bhutan-map.htm Tin-Tin Trekking] map of part of Bhutan including the mountain (northeast corner). * [http://www.travelintelligence.com/wsd/articles/art_1000165.html Travel Intelligence] article about mountaineering in Bhutan and the restrictions. * [http://www.jac.or.jp/english/jan/vol1/GANKARPUNZUM.pdf Report of 1999 Japanese Expedition]. [[Category:Mountains of Bhutan]] [[ast:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[ca:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[cy:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[da:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[de:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[eo:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[es:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[fr:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[it:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[he:גאנגק'אר פואנסום]] [[lt:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[ja:ガンカー・プンスム]] [[no:Gangker Punsum]] [[pl:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[pt:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[scn:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[sv:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[tr:Gangkhar Puensum]] [[zh:干卡本森峰]]