Gangshika Peak Hiking Trekking Climbing Mountaineering Travel Tour

Brief introduction of Gangshika Peak

Geographical coordinate: 101.46 degrees east longitude and 37.69 degrees north latitude

Altitude: 5255 meters

Climbing season: June to July, September to October

Location: Northern Dongtan village, Huangcheng Mongolian town, Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

There is a snow peak in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, the peak Gangshika, which shows all the magnificence of northern scenery. Gangshika, the highest peak of eastern mountain Qilian, has Altitude of 5254.5 meters, which own it the honor of the head of mountains in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County. It’s snowy summit, so shiny and silvery that look just like a glittering jade dragon. From afar, it is a pure white expanse, yet every evening, when the beautiful sunset varnishing the sky, the peak blazes with color, the gorgeous scene is called “dragon peak in twilight”, it is one of the Eight scenes of Longyuan. Peak Gangshika is a perfect place for mountaineering expedition, and it is also a training base for climbing and backpacking for its proper altitude. With the increasing fame and prosperity of our province’s adventure travel, the peak Gangshika has become a magnet for tourists all over the world.

The area of peak Gangshika is about 450 square kilometers, also named Lenglongling, is one of the main peaks of mountain Qilian. Its altitude is between 4000 meters to 5000 meters, and 30 kilometers to 50 kilometers wide. The peak runs roughly northwest-southeast, stretches over 280 kilometers in Qinghai province, compared with other snow peaks, peak Gangshika has the shortest distance to Xining city. Yet still not open to abroad. The algidity pressing Even in midsummer, for there are about 81 square kilometers’ present glaciers above 4500 meter of the peak. When sunset glow fulfill the sky, the sparkling and translucent summit shining magnificently, yet under the snow line, you can see broadness green filed and golden sea of rape flower. The different altitude and the complex landscape, the cold glacier and hot spring, the quiet lake and the long river, all these things endow peak Gangshika a profound and mystic charm and elegant temperament.

Peak Gangshika is rounded by mountains, the vegetation here has a significant Vertical distribution, the glaciers on the summit are enigmatic and unexplored, the ice cascade is bold and vigorous, stream gurgling, gorgeous waterfall flying, look down to the foothill, Grass and trees flourishing, flowers blooming, Herds of sheep and cows grazing, here you also will have many chances to see rare wild animals. In the myth, it is the Crystal Palace of the Queen Mother of the West, the first holy peak of the thirteen mountain deities worshiped by the Huare Tibetan. Peak Gangshika has high value of historical and artistic, as well as scientific investigation. Its unique natural scenery makes Peak Gangshika a resort for tourist sightseeing, scientific investigation, and climbing expedition. Grasslands, snow peaks, villages, ancient religious culture, and charming ethnic customs, all these things constitute the theme of characteristic tourism, and make Peak Gangshika fly its own colors in tourism market.

Peak Gangshika located in a continental cold sub-warm climate region, its annual average temperature is about 1℃, annual precipitation is 550—600 millimeter with 80 percent falling in May to September. The average temperature of January is -13.5℃ while July is 12℃. There will be strong wind in March and April. Perfect time for climbing should be June to July and September to October.

Travel Routes to Gangshika Peak

The traffic from Xining to peak Gangshika is quite convenient, and there are two roads for selection:

1. Xining—Datong—Dabanshan—Qingshizui—Panpo col—BC

2. Xining— Huzhu county— Beishan forest farm—Menyuan County —Shizui town—-Panpo col—BC

Climbing records of Gangshika Peak

July, 2000:

College students Mountaineering Team from Hongkong, Macao and Taiwan, all the 19 members failed to reach the summit.

October, 2002:

Kop Mountaineering Team from Niigata, Japan, all the 16 members failed to reach the summit.

October, 2004:

Middle-aged Mountaineering Team from Nagano, Japan, 27 members, three of them reach the summit.

May , 2ed,2006, 3：27pm:

8 climbers from Hunan province, two of them reach the summit

August, 2006:

Mountaineering Team from Lanzhou, Gansu province, all the 8 members failed to reach the summit.

June,24,2007, 12:55am:

Laozou, who comes from Qinghai Outdoor League, and Zhangyong, comes from Xining Lete Hostel, reach the summit.

Between June and July of 2007:

Several climbers reach the summit successively without a detailed record.

Climbing routes of Gangshika Peak

The climbing of peak Gangshika mainly based on ice skill, there are many ice cracks along the route, so it is necessary to climbing in group and with most caution. Have a coach to give climbing guidance would be perfect. In this region, climb to the summit usually require fine weather for at least three days, compared with the same altitude of hinterland of Tibet plateau, air of peak Gangshika has higher oxygen content, so basically there is no need to worry about high altitude reaction. Moreover, its north slope is Hexi Corridor, which has altitude only about 1300 meters.

BC→C1

C1 is quite far away from BC, with a distance of 5.5 kilometers and a higher altitude of 530 meters. The journey will take four to five hours. Along the route, we will encounter a talus slope which stretch for about 2.5 kilometers long, and some rubbles are quite large, so hiking boot and walking stick are necessary. There is a talus slope of more than 40 degrees 300 meters below the snow line, dangerous and hard to pass, thus required more attention. Pass over this slop is the snow line. After cross a ridge, we will climb up along zigzag route until reach C1. The path is usually covered by thick snow (be careful for the ice cracks), so walk in group is more appropriate. Protection is needed when climbing rocks. We will stay at C1 for the night.

C1—the summit

The altitude difference from C1 to the summit is about 646 meters, and it will take seven to eight hours. Set out for the summit at 5 o’clock is expected, upward from C1 is a ridgelet of about 35 degrees and 200 meters long, then is a 500 meters flat ground, pass the flat ground we reach foot of the main peak. Our summit climbing will start here. The slop of climbing route is about 40 degrees, group climbing and proper precautions is required. Be conscious with time, reach the peak before 1 o’clock would be best, for the plateau climate is changeable in the afternoon.

The summit —C1

When photographing at the summit, protections are still necessary, without gloves and snow goggles for a long time will cause frostbite and snow blindness. The summit has a stunning sight, but not a place for long stay. Control the speed during the descent, and backtrack along the same way, break a new path will be a terrible choice. Complete protection in group, avoid falling and ensure safety.