The twin summits of sacred Gauri Shankar and the step south face are clearly visible on the Kathmandu mountain flight. The higher northern summit (7134m) of Gauri Shankar is called Shankar, a manifestation of Shiva, and the lower southern summit (7010m) is called Gauri, a manifestation of Shiva's consort. Gauri Shankar has only been climbed a few times because of its extremely difficult steep faces and long, corniced ridges.