Yarlha Shampo (6636m)

Yarlha Shampo (6636m) In the foreground, scorpion shaped Yamdrok Yumtso Lake (4439m) In the background, the prominent double peak of Yarlha Shampo (alternative spellings: Yarla Shampo, Yalaxianbo). The northern peak (left) is the highest, with an altitude of 6636m (some references give an altitude of 6632m, 6635m and 6761m). Yarlha Shampo belongs to the “Ultra” peaks, with a prominence of 1805m. Yarlha Shampo is another important holy mountain in Tibet, and has been playing an important role in Tibetan mythology since pre-buddhist bön period. After a failed attempt to climb Yarlha Shampo in 2001, a Japanese team made the first ascent on 16 October 2007 via the North ridge. This picture was taken only 1 week after the first successful ascent, from the summit of Mt. Qunyang, located approx. 170km further west. See here for a close picture of the mountain. (South-Central Tibet – Lhokha / Shannan Prefecture - 24 October 2007)