Nakamura unveils hidden mountains of southern Tibet

In November 82-year-old Japanese mountaineer Tamotsu “Tom” Nakamura entered the restricted area of southern Tibet to explore and photograph hidden 6000-meter peaks along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

The region is very sensitive and now strictly controlled because of its proximity to the Indian border. No foreigners are allowed to travel unless they obtain a special permit from the Public Security Bureau and Chinese Liberation Army in charge of Tibet Autonomous Region.

“The issue is very sensitive,” said Nakamura, who received a rare special permit. “Meanwhile Nyainqentangla West, immediately north of Lhasa, and mountains west of Lhasa are open for foreigners, but to enter the mountains of south Tibet and east Tibet is not possible for foreigners. I am now too old to climb mountains–what I can do is explore and visit unknown mountains…. My work for a quarter century is condensed in my new book, East of the Himalaya-Mountain Peak Maps: Alps of Tibet and Beyond.”

Nakamura was recently recognized by Piolet d’Or-Asia with a lifetime achievement award. Born in 1934, he led an expedition to Peru and Bolivia in 1961, where he made several first ascents. After living and working around the world in Pakistan, Mexico, New Zealand and Hong Kong, he devoted his life to the mountains in the borderlands of southeast Tibet and west China: Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai. Over 25 years he conducted 38 expeditions to those regions, photographing and mapping countless unclimbed peaks, untrodden glaciers, high plateaus, lakes and gorges–as well as documenting Tibetan culture. He edited the Japanese Alpine News for 15 years in addition to writing several books. These forays have garnered numerous awards from internationally recognized societies such as the UIAA Award (2007), the Royal Geographical Society’s Busk Medal (2008) and International Explorers Award in Poland (2010). He considers East of the Himalaya, which was published in 2016, to be his life’s work. The book can be ordered by emailing ibd@kinokuniya.co.jp.

In this feature, Nakamura shares some photos from his recent explorations in Tibet.

“This is the first time these photos have been introduced to the world mountaineering community,” Nakamura said. “This photo gallery is preliminary and an official report will be published on the Asian Alpine E-News before too long.”

Shelika (6045m), south face, northeast of Jindong. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

Unknown 5906-meter peak, north face, eastern end of Bobonung massif. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

Unknown peak close to the 6000-meter northwest face of Bobonung massif. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

Stunning 6000-meter peak on the northwest face of Bobonung massif. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

The northern aspects of these 6000-meter peaks surround the Bobonung Glacier valley. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

Unknown 6000-meter peak southeast of Chipula, northeast face of Bobonung massif. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

The northwest face of Chipula (6152m) is on the left, and in the background to the right are a 6121-meter and a 6215-meter peak. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

A 6121-meter peak (foreground) and 6215-meter peak (background) on the northwest face of Bobonung massif, viewed from Dalha Gampo Monastery at 4180 meters. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

The east face of 6150-meter Nyel Japo (the name is from a Russian map) is a massif of rock peaks. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

The north face of Nyel Japo (6150m) soars immediately south of Yarlung Tsangpo. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

The east face of a rock peak (ca. 5500m) west of Nyel Japo (6150m). [Photo] Tom Nakamura

Holy Worde Kangge (Ode Gungyel) main peak (5996m), northwest face. [Photo] Tom Nakamura

East of the Himalaya; Alps of Tibet and Beyond, Mountain Peak Maps can be ordered by emailing ibd@kinokuniya.co.jp.

This image shows a map of the area Nakamura documented in East of the Himalaya.

Click here to see more of Nakamura’s contributions to Alpinist.