The South Ridge is the classic and best-known route on Nanda Devi, first climbed in 1936 by the famous Indian-British expedition. It is a very serious high-altitude alpine route with sustained technical climbing, complex route-finding, and major objective hazards. The route rises from the inner sanctuary and involves long sections of steep rock, snow, and ice on a very exposed ridge. Conditions can be extremely unstable, with avalanche danger and severe weather a constant concern. Because of the mountain's remoteness and access restrictions, this remains a highly committing objective. It is generally regarded as one of the great Himalayan climbs rather than a standard expedition peak.
