Meili Xue Shan, Mountain range in northwestern Yunnan, China
Meili Xue Shan is a mountain range in northwestern Yunnan with thirteen peaks, the highest being Kawagebo at 6,740 meters (22,113 feet). The chain runs between the Nujiang and Lancang rivers, surrounded by valleys with forests and glacier-fed streams.
Expeditions from Japan and China attempted to climb Kawagebo starting in 1902, but all efforts failed due to conditions or avalanches. After a fatal accident in January 1991 that killed seventeen climbers, scaling the main peak was permanently banned.
The name Kawagebo comes from Tibetan and designates the sacred main peak, which pilgrims honor during ritual circumambulations. Local people offer incense and aromatic plants at prayer stations along the trails as a sign of their bond with the mountain.
Travelers need a special permit for foreigners, usually obtained in Kunming or Zhongdian. The journey follows winding roads that become difficult to navigate during rain and in winter.
Mianzimu, a peak at 6,054 meters (19,862 feet) within the range, remains unclimbed to this day and attracts mountaineering interest. However, the Tibetan community continues to oppose climbing attempts, so these summits will likely remain untouched indefinitely.
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