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Climbing
Peaks - Kanchenjunga |
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Guide > The Himalayas
> Climbing Peaks |
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Latitude
27° 42' 09"
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Longitude
88° 09' 25" |
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Height
8586m |
Zone
Mechi |
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Status
3rd highest in the world |
It was John Hunt who said "It is more difficult and dangerous
to climb than Everest itself " while referring to Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Situated in far eastern Nepal, this mountain peak is the third
highest in the world and serves as the border wall separating
Nepal from the Indian state of Sikkim. It lies 80 miles east
of Mt. Everest. James Ullman the author of "Man of Everest"
called it the showpiece of the Himalayas.
In the Sikkimese language, Kanchenjunga means "Five Treasures
of the Great Snows". It consists of five peaks: Kanchenjunga
(main), Yalung Kang, Kanchenjunga (west) and the Twin Peaks.
While most of the ranges lie east to west this massif is unique
in that it sits north to south. Its glacier drains into the
Tamur River, a tributary of the Koshi.
The Kanchenjunga region was first explored by the famous botanist
Joseph Hooker in 1848 and 1949. His exploits were recorded in
the "Himalayan Journals", which was the foremost publication
about the Himalayas. But the first expedition took off only
in1905 when Alaister Crowley led a team up the Yalung glacier.
The British expedition led by Charles Evans met with success
in 1955. George Band and Joe Brown stood five vertical feet
below the summit on May 25. Out of respect for the religious
sentiments of the local Sikkimese people, they refrained from
stepping on the very top of the peak.
Of all the routes to the Kanchenjunga base camp, the easiest
is to fly to Taplejung in the far- east. But this can be expensive.
A flight to Biratnagar in the Terai and a drive through Dharan,
Dhankuta, Hile and-Basantpur `is the other alternative. This
is followed by a twelve-day trek through the mountainous region
of Gupha Pokhari, from where the Makalu is visible. The next
leg takes you to Dovan and on to Taplejung, which has an airfield.
This is the third day of the trek after which you pass through
Anpan, Kabeli Khola, Chitre, Lapsang and finally the Yalung
glacier. The campsite is at 4890m. The other route leads to
the north face of the Kanchenjunga. This route separates from
Dovan. Cross the Tamur river and arrive at the village of Handrung
inhabited by Newars and Limbus. The trek goes along the Tamur
riverbank and then along the Ghunsa Khola (Khola = river). The
route passes through rhododendron thickets and Mt Jannu (7710m)
can be seen. The trees start to disappear and are replaced by
shrubs. Next, you arrive at Khambachen and in another two days
you are at Pangpema (5150m). Mt. Kanchenjunga towers over you
as you reach campsite. Along the way Tent peak (7365m) and Nepal
Peak (6910m) are visible. Climbing the mountainside nearby,
you get a grand panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. Walking
further up along the right bank of the glacier leads you to
a view of Jongsang Peak (7483m) and Pyramid Peak (7123m).
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