Chang Himal

Chang Himal, also known as Ramthang Chang or Wedge Peak, is a mountain in Nepal.

Chang Himal
Ramthang Chang
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	6,802 m (22,316 ft)[1]
Prominence	702 m (2,303 ft)[1]
Parent peak	Kangbachen[1]
Isolation	4.7 km (2.9 mi)[1]
Coordinates	27°45′57″N 88°05′03″E[1]
Geography
Chang Himal Location in Nepal
Interactive map of Chang Himal
Country	Nepal
Province	Koshi
District	Taplejung
Protected area	Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
Parent range	Himalayas
Climbing
First ascent	1974[2]

Description

Chang Himal is a 6,802-metre (22,316-foot) glaciated summit in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is situated nine kilometres (5.6 mi) northwest of Kangchenjunga in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains into the Ghunsa River which is a tributary of the Tamur River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,820 metres (5,970 ft) above the Kangchenjunga Glacier in 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi).

The first ascent of the summit was made on October 5, 1974, by Janez Gradisar, Bojan Pollak, and Michael Smolej via the southwest ridge.^[3] The north face was first climbed October 29 – November 2, 2009, by Nick Bullock and Andy Houseman (1800 m, ED+ M6).^[4]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Chang Himal is located in a tundra climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.^[5] Weather systems coming off the Bay of Bengal are forced upwards by the Himalaya mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Mid-June through early-August is the monsoon season. The months of April, May, September, and October offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.^[6]

Gallery

• 
  Northeast aspect
• 
  North aspect of Kangchenjunga (left), with Chang Himal (right)
• 
  North face
• 
  circa 1930

See also

• Geology of the Himalayas