Mardi Himal Trek and Climb

Mardi Himal, nestled less than fifteen miles north of Pokhara, is the southernmost peak of the Annapurna range. It stands as the lowest and comparatively less-visited trekking peak in Nepal.

Embarking on this trek, you will be treated to breathtaking mountain vistas, pristine rivers, and lush green terraced fields.

The Mardi Himal trek takes you through enchanting forests, charming villages, and picturesque valleys, with the cultural diversity of the region adding to its allure.

Mardi Himal came into the focus of western mountaineers thanks to photographs taken by Basil Goodfellow in 1953. However, it wasn't until 1961 that the mountain witnessed its first ascent.

Jimmy Roberts, accompanied by two Sherpas, achieved the first summit using a route on its west flank. Though there have been rumors of alternative routes on the South-West Face, Robert's route remains the only recorded ascent.

Best observed from the south, Mardi Himal marks the terminus of the South-West ridge of Machhapuchhre, standing as a distinct and separate mass at a right angle to that ridge. From certain angles, it may appear as little more than an outlier on the south-west slope of Machhapuchhre.

The South-West Face of Mardi Himal boasts three well-defined ridges that rise from rock buttresses, separated by hanging glaciers. Mardi Himal's East Face is separated from the Machhapuchhre ridge by a col (approximately 5,200m).

The trekking route of ascent reaches this col from a glaciated amphitheater that ascends from a hidden plateau known as the 'Other Sanctuary,' a name attributed by Roberts.

The peak offers a commanding view of the Annapurna Range and a spectacular vista of the Himalayan Matterhorn, Machhapuchhre.

Despite its lower latitude, the mountain holds significant potential for small-scale exploratory mountaineering. The already mentioned ridges present clear climbing challenges at a reasonable standard.