Mountaineering
The mountains in Kashmir may be categorized as Alpine and Himalayan. The four important mountaineering zones in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are Kashmir, Zanskar, Kishtwar, Gurez and Ladakh. Mountain climbing is a very popular adventure activity in this region.
Climbing in these Himalayas can be very stimulating and typically an expedition can take a month. Rich in flora and fauna, the summits of most peaks are an exhilirating experience and from a top them, one can look beyond to neighbouring countries Pakistan and Tibet. Of Sonamarg are the lesser peaks Kolahoi(5425m) and Harmukh (5148m). These are peaks one can get to quickly making an alpine ascent.
Similarly thhe peaks in the Kishtwar region are not too high but offer technically dicfficult climbing with many challenging faces and ridges.Some are still virgin peaks. The popular peaks are Sickle Moon (6575m), Riger (6001m), Brammah-I (6416m), Crooked Finger (5630m), Arjuna (6230m), Katori (6138m) and Flat Top (6100m). In the Zanskar region are the famous peaks of Nun (7135m) and Kun (7077m).
Around these are White Needle (6500m), Pinacle (6930m) and Z-1 (6400m). These peaks are located at the head of the Shafat glacier.The 'Z' series also cluster around the Durung Drung glacier which is visible from the Pensita. In the Ladakh region are the Stok Kangri (6153m), Parcha Kangri (6065m) and Kanglcha (6400m).
More recently peaks in the restricted area of the Nubra valley in the Inaian Karakorams have also been opened to foreigners and Indian. There are a number of trekking trails from Kishtwar to a number Himalayan peaks that are not at a very great altitude. In fact these treks can be completed within a weeks time.