Nepal: Kanchenjunga Trek (April 1994)

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Kanchenjunga (8586m), the third highest mountain of the world, is not just a peak, but a complex massif with a line of peaks above 8000m that lie on the northeast border between Nepal and India (Sikkim). This trek took me from Ilam, a small village north of Biratnagar in southeast Nepal, to Pamgpema (on the north side of Kanchenjunga), then to Oktang (on the south side base camp of Kanchenjunga), and finally to Suketar, where I took a flight back to Kathmandu.

 

Itinerary: Ilam - Dhoban - Chirwa - Ghunsa - Kambachen - Lhonak - Pangpema (5143m) - Ghunsa - Lapsang La (5110m) - Ramche - Oktang (4730m) - Tseram - Suketar.

A map of the mountains

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Houses and street in Ilam.

 

In a teahouse in Ilam.

 

Villages between Ilam and Dhoban.

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A group of small houses in a village

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A village with a few houses

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Chirwa.

A village in the mountains

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In the deep canyon of Ghunsa Khola between Chirwa and Ghunsa.

 

Mani wall in Ghunsa.

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Gompa of Ghunsa.

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In the valley of Ghunsa Khola, beyond Ghunsa.

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A mountain range with snow on the top

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At Kambachen.

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From left to right: Jannu (7710m), Sobi Thongje (6670m), and Pholesobi Thonje (6645m) viewed over the Kumbhakarna glacier.

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A snowy mountain range with blue sky

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Other views of Jannu.

 

Between Kambachen and Lhonak:

 

- Mera peak (6364m).

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- Kambachen peak (7802m) in the background on the left. (Mera peak, not visible, is on the right of the picture.)

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- Better view of Kambachen peak, overlooking the Ramdang glacier.

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- Rock spire.

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Reaching Lhonak.

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Along the Kanchenjunga glacier above Lhonak.

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Avalanche on the opposite side of the glacier.

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Views of the northern side of Kanchenjunga from Pangpema (5143m).

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Wedge peak seen from Pangpema.

 

Between Ghunsa and Lapsang La.

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At Lapsang La (5110m).

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Above Ramche: view of Rathong peak (6682m).

 

View of Jannu′s summit from the south.

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View before reaching Oktang.

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View the southern side of Kanchenjunga from Oktang (4730m).

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Remains of a landslide just before reaching Lasiya Bhanjyang.

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Between Tseram and Suketar.

 

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Typical houses along the way.

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Suketar airfield.

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