Situated in the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, Tharpu Chuli is an attractive mountain; part of the eidge line, thrown south from Glacier Done, that includes Singu Chuli and acts as a central divider between the semi-circle of peaks enclosing the Sanctuary. The mountain is sometimes confused with Rakshi peak, a small summit and viewpoint to the west of Tharpu Chuli, that stands above named after Roberts’ dog!

As well as enjoyable climbing the mountains offers one of the outstanding viewpoints of the Annapurna massive. From its summit you have a superb panorama of Hiunchuli (6331m/20771ft), Annapurna South (7219m/ 23684ft), Fang (7647m/ 25089ft), Gangapurna (7455m/ 24459ft), Annapurna III (7555m/ 24787ft), Machhapuchhare (6993m/ 22943ft) and of course Singu Chuli or Fluted Peak (6501m/ 21329ft).

Seen from the moraines above the huts at the Annapurna South base camp, the mountain takes on a shape, aptly described by its former name Tent Peak, with its long South-East Ridge forming the sloping ridge pole. The lower half of the South-West Face is a series of rocky gullies and buttresses giving way to strongly etched snow flutes. Under a lot of snow this becomes a very attractive aspect indeed with a good number of lines. The North-West Ridge, itself the normal line of ascent, which is gained by the flat glacier to the west.

Tharpu Chuli’s relatively low altitude and reasonable approach, without serious objective danger, make this an attractive mountain, especially when combined with its position and ease of access. At present three routes have been recorded and many more are obviously possible. Because of the large number of climbing expeditions that enter the Sanctuary it might well be the peak has received a lot of unnoticed attention.