Dhaulagiri
It is also the highest point of the Gandaki river basin.
- Location
- Nepal
- First ascensionists
- Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nyima Dorje Sherpa, Nawang Dorje Sherpa
- Prominence parent
- K2
- Notable feature
- Highest mountain within a single country
Lore & Background
Dhaulagiri's name comes from Sanskrit, where 'dhawala' means dazzling, white, or beautiful, and 'giri' means mountain. Looking north from the plains of India, it is conspicuous from northern Bihar and as far south as Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The rock layers at its summit are made of limestone and dolomite formed at the bottom of the ocean, unlike the granite summits of other Himalayan eight-thousanders.
Reader's Guide
Dhaulagiri was the penultimate eight-thousander to be summitted, and the final in Nepal. Its sudden rise from lower terrain is almost unequaled, rising 7,000 m from the Kali Gandaki River 30 km to the southeast. The mountain's south face is regarded as one of the greatest remaining challenges in alpinism.
Did You Know?
- The Kali Gandaki River flows between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I in the world's deepest gorge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Dhaulagiri unique among the world's peaks?
Unlike many other 8,000-metre giants that straddle international borders, Dhaulagiri sits entirely within Nepal, earning it the title of the highest mountain in a single country. It also serves as the highest point in the Gandaki river basin.
What is Dhaulagiri's prominence parent?
Dhaulagiri's topographic prominence parent is K2, meaning that in terms of its key col and elevation hierarchy, K2 is the peak it connects to.
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