Annapurna I Middle Peak is a summit of 8,051 m (26,414 ft) on the long eastern ridge of Annapurna I. It is higher than 8,000 m but is usually treated as a subsidiary top of the main mountain, so it rarely appears in lists of the great peaks.
A top on a long ridge
Annapurna I is not a single peak but a huge massif. Its main summit is 8,091 m, and a long snow ridge runs from it towards the east, carrying several other tops. The Middle Peak is one of these, standing a short distance along the crest. Its height of 8,051 m is only about 40 m lower than the main summit.
Why it is not a separate 8,000er
Climbers count the fourteen peaks above 8,000 m by looking at how much each rises above the saddle that links it to a higher neighbour. The Middle Peak does not drop far enough from the main summit to qualify, so it is regarded as part of Annapurna I. The same logic applies to other secondary summits such as Yalung Kang.
Where it stands
The mountain lies in the Annapurna Himal, in Gandaki Province. Its south face drops into the Annapurna Sanctuary, and its north side looks towards the dry upper Marsyangdi and Manang valleys. The ridge is exposed to strong winds, and avalanches fall on both sides.
Seeing it on a trek
The long ridge of Annapurna I is visible from the Annapurna Sanctuary, and from some points on the Annapurna Circuit. Picking out the individual tops takes practice. A guide with a good photograph of the ridge can show you where the main summit ends and the Middle Peak begins. See the Annapurna Base Camp guides and the Annapurna II guide.
Climbing the ridge
Most expeditions to Annapurna I aim for the main summit by the north side. The ridge to the Middle Peak and beyond is a rare undertaking and is a traverse for very experienced climbers. It requires time, stable weather and a large team.
A note on accuracy
Heights for subsidiary summits vary between sources, and the figure of 8,051 m is the one used on the list we worked from. If you need a precise value for a publication, check it against a current survey.
More questions
Is the Middle Peak higher than Annapurna II? Yes, by more than 100 m. Is it visible from Pokhara? Parts of the Annapurna massif can be seen on clear days, though picking out the Middle Peak is hard. Can trekkers go near it? Only to the viewpoints in the sanctuary and on the circuit.
