himalaya.dk

My book on the Himalayas

bobelvedere — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:53:00 +0000

I worked on this book for almost seven years, and finally I finished it in the spring of 2020.

It is close to 600 pages packed with pictures and information taking its starting point in my own adventures on the highest mountains on the planet. You get the exploration history of the Himalayas, the story of the ascents of the first major mountains, the early attempts on mountains like K2, Mount Everest and many others.

There is success, hardship, and tragic disasters, some from the early history of climbing, some so late that I participated in it.

The images of the book are both historic as well as from my own prolonged periods in these amazing mountains. In total I spent more than 6 years climbing, trekking and exploring in the Himalayas from the westernmost parts in the Karakorams of Pakistan, through the Indian Ladakh region until the eastern part of Nepal close to the border to Sikkim where the mighty, third heighest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, resides.

The cover of the book displaying both front and back. As you can se from the cover, the book is written in danish, but don’t dispair, I’m in the process of making an english edition, although it will take a while.

The book has received very positive reviews, and has sold pretty well. It is definitely not only for mountaineers and armchair mountaineers, but also for people interested generally in exploration and with a historic interest.

The above image shows the “prototypes” of the book used in a kickstarter campaign to gather money for the actual publishing. The campaign was succesful in reaching 150% of the goal, and I am grateful for the support, enabling me to finish the book and publish it.

The danish version and my other books (also quite a lot in english) is available from the publisher BoD both in printed as well as eBok version: BoD bookshop

I hope you will support my work and buy the book.

World’s 10 highest mountains

bobelvedere — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:41:44 +0000

The list of the world’s highest mountains seems endless. This list is based on the 10 highest mountains in the world. Therefore, if you have a big interest in mountaineering or trekking, (more info at Kipling Travel) this list is made for you.
If you have a desire to climb the 10 highest mountains in the world, your next travel destination should be Asia. Asia not only offers stunning and high mountains, but also many different cultures, exciting wildlife, and an extremely friendly population. Therefore, if you are going to climb a mountain, you are going to experience so much more than just mountains.

Ten highest mountains

1. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is without doubt the highest mountain in the world, with an altitude of 8,850 meters (29,029 ft). The mountain is located at the mountain range Mahalangur Himal in the Himalayas, on the border between the China, Tibet and Nepal. Since 1953, more than 2,000 people utilizing 14 different routes have climbed the mountain. Due to the mountain’s enormous size, there are many possible routes to take.

See popular travels to Mount Everest

2. K2 (Mount Godwin Austen)

K2, also known by the name Mount Godwin-Austen or Chogori, is the second highest mountain in the world, with a peak of 8,611 meters (28,251 ft). K2 is also one of top 10 highest mountains, which is outside the main Himalaya chain, because of the location on the border between Pakistan and China in the Karakoram mountains. The mountain is considered as one of the most difficult mountains to climb.

3. Kangchenjunga

Khangchendzonga or Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world, and has a peak of 8,586 meters (28,169 ft). The mountain is located on the border between Nepal and India. The name Kanchenjunga means “five treasures of snow”, the mountain has its name because of its five high mountain peaks, all of which are above 8,000 meters high.

4. Lhotse

The mountain Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world, with a peak of 8,516 meters (27,940 ft), and is located on the border between China and Nepal. The entire Lhotse massif is typically considered as three different mountains because the mountain has three peaks over 8,000 meters.

5. Makalu

Makalu is located on the border between Nepal and China, and has a height at 8,485 meters (27,838 ft). There are several expeditions which has repeatedly tried to climb Makalu, but without success. Makalu is known as one of the world’s toughest and most difficult mountains to climb, with its very steep and sharp edges.

6. Cho Oyu

The mountain Cho Oyu is a mountain located in the Himalayas, between the border of Nepal and China. The mountain has a peak of 8,201 meters (26,906 ft). The mountain name “Cho Oyu” has a very special meaning. It means “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan, due to the very beautiful light blue top.

7. Dhaulagiri

Dhaulagiri is a mountain with a peak of 8,167 meters (26,795 ft) and located entirely in Nepal. The very first time it was climbed was on May 13, 1960 by a Swiss/Austrian/Nepali expedition. In the 18th century, the Western world believed that Dhaulagiri was the highest mountain in the world. This believe lasted over 30 years.

8. Manaslu

The mountain Manaslu, also called Kutang is the eighth highest mountain in the world, with a peak of 8,163 meters (26,781 ft). The mountain is located entirely in Nepal. The name “Manaslu” actually means “Spirit Mountain”. Manaslu is a popular mountain for trekking enthusiasts as the trek to basecamp or around the mountain is very varied. In addition to that, the culture and the nature of the routes up to the top, is something very special.

9. Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat, the other top 10 mountain outside the main Himalayan chain, is located in Pakistan, with a peak of 8,126 meters (26,660 ft). The mountain also have an Islamic name, which is Diamir and means “king of the mountains”. The mountain has never been climbed in the winter, which is the same for the mountain K2.

10. Annapurna

Annapurna is a name that comprises several peaks in the Nepalese Himalayas, where Annapurna I is the highest point in this massif. The mountain has a peak of 8,091 meters (26,545 ft), and is located in central Nepal. The Annapurna massif is 55 km long and consists of very high mountain peaks, all of which are popular mountains to climb. The name Annapurna means, “harvest goddess” because the mountains are used for fertility and agriculture.

Plans for Dhaulagiri

bobelvedere — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:51:56 +0000

Danish climber Bo Belvedere Christensen is planning a second attempt on Dhaulagiri in the spring of 2017, read more here.

Video from acclimatisation trip to Aconcagua

bobelvedere — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:44:56 +0000

Before going to Mount Everest in the spring of 2015, a trip that unfortunately was cancelled after the huge earthquake disaster hit Nepal also shaking Mount Everest, I went to Argentina for acclimatisation.

I climbed mountains in the Vallecitos area up to almost 6000 meter and went on to climb Aconcagua. I made video documentation from the trip, a video that I have now finished editing and made public on youtube. You can see it here below.

If you like the video please give me a like on youtube and consider subscribing to my channel.

Mount Everest earthquake

bobelvedere — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:45:02 +0000

April 25th 2015 an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale shook Eastern and Central Nepal including bordering areas of Tibet. I was climbing on the North Side of Mount Everest during the earthquake where the damages were not so severe.

On the South Side of the mountain the earthquake started a major avalanche from the slopes of Pumori. The avalanche killed 19 people in Everest Basecamp and injured around 40 some of which severely. But the earthquake was a sheer disaster for Nepal in general killing more then 5000 and making several hundred thousand people homeless.

Climbing on Everest was stopped on both the North and South Side and surviving climbers returned home, as did I. I was back in Denmark on May the 5th. Disappointed not to succeed yet another time. This was my fourth attempt to summit Everest without oxygen bottles and so far I haven’t really had a true attempt, every time some incident has prevented me getting a real go for the summit.

Bo in front of Mount Everest on The North Side 2015

Support Challenge of the 14, climbing all the 8-thousand meter peaks

bobelvedere — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:41:59 +0000

Bo in the steepest part of the climb between camp 1 and 2, Cho Oyu fall 2014

Danish mountaineer Bo Belvedere Christensen has started his long planned project to climb all the 8-thousand meter mountains in the world. He has summited Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and recently Cho Oyu (picture right from the climb).

He calls his project “Challenge of the 14” abbreviated COT14. You can find more information on his website COT14.dk or follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

But best of all you could support his project through Kickstarter. Click the picture below to get to Kickstarter and become one of his backers. Rewards apply for backers.

New pictures in the gallery

bobelvedere — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:49:53 +0000

Welcome yet another time to Himalaya.dk the site for The Danish Himalayan Society.

Enjoy the growing picture galleries. I’ve added pictures to the galleries:

Ama Dablam
Dhaulagiri
Broad Peak
Everest 1996

from our expeditions to these mountains.

Enjoy

Bo Belvedere Christensen

Summit of Lhakpa Ri with happy climbers, Bo enjoys one of those perfect days in the mountains

Explore the Himalayas with us

bobelvedere — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:05:04 +0000

Welcome to Himalaya.dk

Since 1988 we have explored the beautiful mountains of the Himalayas. Climbing and mountaineering has been our game and we continue to publish information about expeditions on these pages.

You can get information on expeditions to:

Ama Dablam – we climbed the mountain before fixed lines and commercial expeditions
Dhaulagiri – the first 8000 meter peak scaled by a danish climber
Broad Peak
Gasherbrum I
Mount Everest
Climbing virgin peaks like Pandra and Danga – 6000+ peaks of eastern Nepal
and many other beautiful and challenging climbs

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Best regards

Bo Belvedere Christensen

Cho Oyu / Shishapangma double expedition 2014

bobelvedere — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:54:59 +0000

In the fall of 2014 Bo Belvedere Christensen of the Danish Himalayan Society will be attempting a double 8000 meter expedition.

The goal is to acclimatise on and climb Cho Oyu, the worlds sixth highest mountain reaching 8201 meter. After this Bo will move on to Shishapangma, which by its ordinary route is supposed to be the easiest 8-thousand meter peak.

But Bo is not intent on climbing Shishapangma the easy way. In stead he will attempt the south face of Shisphapangma, a route that tops out at the true summit. If he succeeds he will be the first danish climber to attain the true summit of Shishapangma.

The expedition leaves for Kathmanu in the beginning of September 2014 and should complete before November, where the temperatures on the 8000 meter peaks becomes unbearable.

Follow Bo here and on his site for the larger project of climbing the fourteen 8-thousand meter peaks: Challenge of the Fourteen abbreviated COT14.dk

Cho Oyu from the north

2013 Everest without oxygen

bobelvedere — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 06:31:01 +0000

Everest 2013 spring expedition.

Bo Belvedere Christensen tried to become the first danish climber to summit without oxygen bottles. Bo led a tree man/woman expedition to the north side of Mt. Everest attempting the classical North Col route.

The two participants, Rikke Hoejland and Martin Cederkrantz, reached the summit in late May, while Bo attempting without oxygen bottles was a few days behind. Luckily, Bo rescued two foreign climbers coming down from the summit totally exhausted. Unhappily, this meant that Bo was too exhausted to continue his own summit attempt and turned back hoping for another go.

But moonson closed in on Everest and there were to be no further summit attempts. Therefore, Bo in his third attempt on Everest without oxygen again had to capitulate. He will attempt again in 2014 or 2015 given support from sponsors.

Bo have now reached the following heights on Everest without oxygen:

2013: 7900 meter
2000: 8100 meter
1996: 8450 meter (in second attempt this year)
1996: 7900 meter (first attempt this year)

Expeditions in 1996 and 2000 were arranged by The Danish Himalayan Society.

Mt. Everest from the North in the early morning light