KATHMANDU, Nov 5. Nepal has formally asked the international mountaineering federation (UIAA) to recognise six more peaks above 8,000 metres as mountains in their own right. If it says yes, the world’s list would grow from 14 to 20, and Nepal’s share from 8 to 14.
The request was made on October 30 at the UIAA General Assembly in Kathmandu. Four of the peaks are in the Kanchenjunga massif: Yalung Khang (8,505m), Yalung Khang West (8,077m), Kanchenjunga Central (8,473m) and Kanchenjunga South (8,476m). Two are in the Lhotse range: Lhotse Middle (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,400m).
Nepal already counts all 14 in its own records and issues climbing permits for each. Five of the six have been climbed. They are neighbouring summits of bigger mountains, not new discoveries.
Nothing is settled yet. The UIAA said in 2023 that it prefers to keep the classic 14, and some critics see money behind the push. Officials hope for progress at the next assembly, but no decision date has been announced.
