Kabru is a ridge of peaks on the India and Nepal border south of Kanchenjunga. Its main summit is about 7,412 m, with Kabru North at 7,338 m, Kabru South at 7,318 m, Talung at 7,349 m and a lower Kabru Dome at 6,600 m. Kabru is the southernmost 7,000 m peak in the world.
The peaks of the ridge
- Kabru main summit: 7,412 m (sometimes called Kabru IV or Kabru III)
- Talung: 7,349 m
- Kabru North: 7,338 m
- Kabru South: 7,318 m
- Kabru Dome: 6,600 m
Numbers and names differ between sources, because the ridge has several summits.
Where it is
Kabru lies south of Kanchenjunga on the border between Nepal and India. It is seen well from Darjeeling and the Singalila Ridge, and it is a peak that Indian climbers know well.
The 1883 claim
In 1883 W. W. Graham, with the guides Emil Boss and Ulrich Kaufmann, reported reaching a point 30 to 40 feet below the top. The claim was doubted for many years, and some modern writers now think it may have been right. It remains one of the famous disputes in Himalayan history.
Later ascents
In 1907 two Norwegians, Carl Rubenson and Monrad Aas, came within about 50 m of the summit. In 1935 C. R. Cooke reached the top of Kabru North on his own. In 1964 Talung was first climbed by Franz Lindner and Tensing Nindra. An Indian Army expedition in 1994 climbed Kabru North, South and the main summit in May.
Climbing today
Kabru is usually climbed from the Indian side, so Indian permits apply. Trekkers on the Nepal side see it as part of the skyline on the Kanchenjunga trek.
Plan it
Read seeing Jannu and Kabru or go back to Jannu facts.
