Terich Mir
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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 Template:Convert 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.
The last village situated in Chitral District before the mountain begins is the village of Tirich.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.Template:Citation needed
Etymology
The name "Terich Mir" consists of two words terich and mir. Terich is the valley in which mountain peak is located while mir (sometimes spelled mer) means mountain in the Khowar language.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> Georg Morgenstierne gives its derivation from two Sanskrit words *tirīca and meru (Template:Literal translation).<ref name=":1" /> Several scholars have identified Terich Mir with the sacred Mount Meru mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain literature since Vedic period.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Climate
The weather station Template:Cvt above sea level lies in the Tundra climate/Alpine climate (ET) zone according to Köppen Climate Classification. On this specific altitude (Template:Cvt asl) we find moderately cold winters and cool summers generally above freezing. Annual mean temperature is Template:Cvt, which puts the station well inside the range of continuous permafrost. The average temperature in the coldest month of January is Template:Cvt and the two hottest months of July and August have mean temperatures of Template:Cvt. Average low temperatures range from Template:Cvt in January to Template:Cvt in July and August. The summit has an Ice cap climate (EF) where no month has an average temperature above Template:Cvt.
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
- Akhlan Terich
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- List of mountains in Pakistan
- List of highest mountains on Earth
- List of Ultras of the Karakoram and Hindu Kush
References
Books
- Keay, John, "The Gilgit Game": The Explorers of the Western Himalayas, 1865-95, Oxford University Press, 1985, Template:ISBN
- Robertson, Sir George Scott, The Kafirs of the Hindukush, Oxford University Press, (1896, OUP edition 1986), Template:ISBN