Hengamt

Hengamt was a mountain in British India, located in the Lachit Peak in the Himalayas, between the border regions of Assam and the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It has an elevation of 7,077 meters (23,234 feet) above sea level.

Hengamt is known to be one of the major peaks of the Kangto sub-range in the Himalayas. The mountain forms part of the international border between India and China and presents a significant challenge for mountaineers and explorers. The summit is generally considered a Category II climb, subject to harsh weather conditions, with frequent snowfall and freezing temperatures throughout the year.

Prior to Indian independence in 1947, the Hengamt mountain was within the kingdom of Bhutan, sharing a border with British India to the south. Today, it is recognized as part of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The region surrounding Hengamt has been a subject of contention, disputed territory between India, China, and Bhutan, resulting in continued border disputes.

Only a few notable expeditions have attempted to climb Hengamt, with varying degrees of success. Notably, in 1960, a team led by a local guide successfully reached the main summit on the Chinese side of the peak, followed by Indian climbers in 1970. There have been subsequent attempts to chart the route to the summit but have been hampered by the rivalry with Chinese and Bhutanese activities in the region.

Since the British era, the highest local access has remained most precarious due to natural hazards as well as the geopolitical standoff in the area. This isolation from the regional around Hengamt currently means hikings and climbs remain sharply rare for both persons and year-round communities, effectively worsening geographical limitations for both geographical knowledge and research into historical hindsight for such climbing challenges faced by varied parties.