Tenzing Peak is a 7,916 m (25,971 ft) mountain in the Mahalangur Himalaya, on the high ridge between Cho Oyu and Everest. It carries the name of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa mountaineer who reached the top of Everest in 1953 with Edmund Hillary.
A name with a story
Many Himalayan peaks keep their old local names or survey numbers, but some have been named in honour of people. Tenzing Peak honours Tenzing Norgay, one of the most famous mountaineers in history. For people in the Khumbu the name is a reminder that the first ascent of Everest was a joint achievement, and that Sherpa climbers shaped the story of the Himalaya.
Where it stands
The peak lies in the Mahalangur Himalaya of the Khumbu, in the same high group as Gyachung Kang and Cho Oyu. It is part of the long border ridge between Nepal and Tibet above the Ngozumpa glacier. The nearest named neighbour is Gyachung Kang, which is only slightly higher.
Height and rank
At 7,916 m, the mountain is higher than many peaks that are more famous with trekkers, such as Himalchuli and Nuptse. Its height places it among the highest dozen or so peaks that lie wholly or partly in Nepal. It receives few visitors, because the approach is long and the climbing is serious.
Seeing it from the trail
Like its neighbours, Tenzing Peak is most easily seen from the Gokyo valley, from high viewpoints such as Gokyo Ri. The peaks of the northern wall are far away, and their names are often confused. Ask your guide to help you to identify the ones in front of you, and write the names beside your photographs.
Climbing
The peak is for expedition teams only. The approach crosses big glaciers, and the final climbs involve steep snow and ice at high altitude. Border rules add complications. For almost all visitors it is a mountain to learn about and to see from a distance.
Honouring the name
If you want to learn more about Tenzing Norgay, a visit to the mountaineering museum in Darjeeling, or the stories told by older Sherpa guides in the Khumbu, will give you a richer picture than a name on a map.
More questions
Is Tenzing Peak the same as Everest? No. Is it climbed often? Very rarely. Can I see it on the Everest Base Camp trek? Not from the main trail, but from the Gokyo valley on a clear day.
