Terich Mir
{{Short description|Highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, located in Pakistan}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=January 2023}}
{{Original research|date=January 2023}}
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{{Use Pakistani English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Tirich Mir
| photo = Tirich Mir (The Kingdom Of Djinns And Fairies).jpg
| photo_caption =Tirich Mir summit at night
| map = Khyber Pakhtunkhwa#Pakistan
| map_caption =
| location = Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| label_position = right
| elevation_m = 7708
| elevation_ref =
Ranked 33rd
| prominence_m = 3908
| prominence_ref =
Ranked 30th
| listing = Ultra
| range = Hindu Kush
| coordinates = {{coord|36|15|15|N|71|50|36|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = {{cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/afghan.html|title=Afghanistan and Pakistan Ultra-Prominence|publisher=peaklist.org|access-date=2014-01-03}}
| first_ascent = A. Næss, P. Kvernberg, H. Berg, and T. Streather in 1950
| easiest_route = glacier/snow/ice
| native_name = {{native name|khw|ترچ میر}}
| map_size = 260
}}
Terich Mir (also spelled Terichmir, Tirich Mir and Turch Mir) is the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, and the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas–Karakoram range, at {{convert|7708|m|sp=us}} above sea level. It is located in the Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
It is the 33rd highest peak in the world. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was on 21 July 1950 by a Norwegian-British expedition consisting of Arne Næss, P. Kvernberg, H. Berg, and Tony Streather,{{cite web|url=https://www.himalayanclub.org/hj/16/5/norwegian-expedition-to-tirich-mir-1950/|title=NORWEGIAN EXPEDITION TO TIRICH MIR, 1950 : Himalayan Journal vol.16/5|website=www.himalayanclub.org}} depicted in the 1952 documentary film Tirich Mir til topps. Tirich Mir overlooks the town of Chitral, and can be easily seen from the main bazaar.
It is the highest mountain in the province of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. In fact, it is the highest mountain of Pakistan outside the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The last village situated in Chitral District before the mountain begins is the village of Tirich.{{Cite web |title=Saltoro Summits Treks & Tours Pakistan |url=https://www.saltorosummits.com/package-details/tirich-mir |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=www.saltorosummits.com}} This valley begins at Soorwaht, where Tirich River meets Torkhow River from the west, up to Shagrom—the last permanent settlement of the valley. From that point onwards, there are summertime grazing pastures and shepherd huts leading up to the snout of the lower Tirich glacier, which goes further up to Tirich Concordia, where glaciers from seven sub-valleys slide down and join at the Concordia glacial confluence.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}
It is believed the origin of the name Tirich Mir is "King of Tirich" as Tirich is the name of a side valley of the Mulkhow valley of Chitral which leads up to Tirich Mir. An alternative etymology derives this name from the Wakhi language. In Wakhi, trich means shadow or darkness and mir means king, so Tirich Mir means king of darkness. It could have gotten this name as it creates long shadows on the Wakhan side of its face.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Royalty-free access in 2024-25
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Tirich Mir’s first ascent and encourage visitors to the region, the Pakistani authorities have announced free permits in 2024-5 for both climbing and trekking Tirich Mir.{{Cite web |last=Benavides |first=Angela |date=2024-04-01 |title=Free Permits for Tirich Mir in 2024-25 » Explorersweb |url=https://explorersweb.com/free-permits-for-tirich-mir-2024-25/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Explorersweb}}
Climate
File:Going out camping with pops - Chitral Gol national park.jpg]]
The weather station {{cvt|4245|m|||}} above sea level lies in the Tundra climate/Alpine climate (ET) zone according to Köppen Climate Classification. On this specific altitude ({{cvt|4245|m||disp=or|}} asl) we find moderately cold winters and cool summers generally above freezing. Annual mean temperature is {{cvt|-5.25|°C|||}}, which puts the station well inside the range of continuous permafrost. The average temperature in the coldest month of January is {{cvt|-17.5|°C|||}} and the two hottest months of July and August have mean temperatures of {{cvt|6.5|C|||}}. Average low temperatures range from {{cvt|-23|C|||}} in January to {{cvt|0|C|||}} in July and August. The summit has an Ice cap climate (EF) where no month has an average temperature above {{cvt|0|C|||}}.
{{Weather box|location = Tirich Mir (4,235 m asl) Averages (1981–2010)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = −12.0
|Feb high C = −11.0
|Mar high C = −7.0
|Apr high C = −2.0
|May high C = 3.0
|Jun high C = 9.0
|Jul high C = 13.0
|Aug high C = 13.0
|Sep high C = 9.0
|Oct high C = 0.0
|Nov high C = −6.0
|Dec high C = −10.0
|year high C = −0.08
|Jan mean C = −17.5
|Feb mean C = −16.0
|Mar mean C = −12.0
|Apr mean C = −6.5
|May mean C = −1.5
|Jun mean C = 3.5
|Jul mean C = 6.5
|Aug mean C = 6.5
|Sep mean C = 3.0
|Oct mean C = −4.0
|Nov mean C = −10.0
|Dec mean C = −15.0
|year mean C = −5.25
|Jan low C = −23.0
|Feb low C = −21.0
|Mar low C = −17.0
|Apr low C = −11.0
|May low C = −6.0
|Jun low C = −2.0
|Jul low C = 0.0
|Aug low C = 0.0
|Sep low C = -3.0
|Oct low C = −8.0
|Nov low C = −14.0
|Dec low C = −20.0
|year low C = −10.40
|source = Meteoblue{{cite web
| url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/tirich-mir_pakistan_1163320
| title = Meteoblue }}
|date=August 2012}}
Folklore
According to the polytheist Kalash people who live nearby, this mountain is the domain of the goddess Krumai. She appears in the form of a wild goat, and she is associated with childbirth.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZoH2oQFIhWIC&q=Krumai+goddess&pg=PA61|title = A History of Kafferistan: Socio-economic and Political Conditions of the Kaffers|last1 = Chohan|first1 = Amar Singh|year = 1989}} In one legend, she disturbed the other gods, and was chased by Imra, who threw her into a fast river. Krumai jumped up the river and ran up the cliff, causing the cliff's shape with her hooves. She revealed her true form and prepared a feast for the other gods, and they accepted her into their pantheon.
The Chitrali people, who are Muslim, instead believe that this mountain is the home of fairies and their fortress. No one may climb it, as doing so will bring death to the trespasser. These mountain fairies are known as "Bohtan Doyak", the "stone throwers".{{cite tweet|number=1439263171961925638|user=MHuzaifaNizam|title=Lesser Known Fact: The Terich Mir mountain in #Pakistan (Hindu Kush’s highest) has for centuries attracted the Kh…|date=18 September 2021}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Books
- Keay, John, "The Gilgit Game": The Explorers of the Western Himalayas, 1865-95, Oxford University Press, 1985, {{ISBN|0-19-577466-3}}
- Robertson, Sir George Scott, The Kafirs of the Hindukush, Oxford University Press, (1896, OUP edition 1986), {{ISBN|0-19-577127-3}}
External links
- [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/155152/tirich-mir.html Tirich Mir on SummitPost]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Upper Chitral District
Category:Mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Category:Mountains of Pakistan