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.
Route Outline
Lata Kharak / Nanda Devi Sanctuary approach -> base camp in the inner sanctuary
Climb the South Ridge system toward the main summit pyramid
Negotiate steep mixed rock, snow, and ice sections on the upper ridge
Reach the summit of Nanda Devi
Descend by the same route
