Kangchenjunga, alternatively spelled as Kanchenjunga, Kanchanjanghā, or Khangchendzonga, holds the title of the third tallest mountain globally. The peak towers at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) and resides within a segment of the Himalayas known as the Kangchenjunga Himal. This region is bordered by the Tamur River in the west, the Lhonak River and Jongsang La in the north, and the Teesta River in the east. The mountain shares its territory with Nepal and Mangan district in India's Sikkim state. Among its five peaks are Main, Central, and South on the border while West and Kangbachen reside in Nepal's Taplejung District.
Kangchenjunga was once thought to be the highest mountain until 1852 when India's Great Trigonometrical Survey proved Mount Everest was taller. In 1856, after validating all calculations, it was official that Kangchenjunga stood as the third-highest peak in the world.
The sacred mountain of Sikkim saw its first climbers reach its lofty height on May 25th, 1955 – Joe Brown and George Band. As members of the British Kangchenjunga expedition, these climbers reserved respect for Tashi Namgyal, Sikkim's Chogyal, by stopping short of the true summit. Today climbers are restricted from accessing the Indian side of the mountain. In 2016, UNESCO declared Khangchendzonga National Park a World Heritage Site.
Situated within Nepal's Taplejung District and Sikkim's Mangan District in India, Kangchenjunga is part of the vast Himalayan range. Its prominence measures at 3,922 meters (12,867 ft) while its isolation spans 124 km (77 mi). The most straightforward route to the summit involves traversing glaciers, snow, and ice.
Khambachen East, or Peak 61, is part of the Kangchenjunga Himal, a subsection of the colossal Himalayan range. Located within Nepal's Taplejung District and Phaktanglung Rural Municipality, the peak stands imposingly at 7,321 meters (24,009 feet). It welcomes climbers and offers a nearby police post at Taplejung, about 41.9 km away from the base camp on the caravan route. Ghunsa is the closest town at a distance of 16.3 km. UK mountaineers first scaled Peak 61 on October 22nd, 2002.
Within eastern Nepal's Himalayas lies the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, a protected region that houses diverse wildlife like snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, and red pandas. A culturally rich zone is home to indigenous communities that coexist with nature.
Mountaineers face a demanding climb up Khambachen East through a 12.5 km climbing route and a 41.9 km caravan route. Expeditions generally last about 50 days. Royalty fees for climbing differ according to season and nationality of climbers; Nepalese climbers pay varying fees according to the season covered, while foreign climbers pay fees from USD 150 to USD 600 depending on the season.
In summary, Khambachen East is an essential peak situated within the Kangchenjunga Himal that offers experienced climbers a worthwhile challenge. Its location within the enigmatic Kangchenjunga Conservation Area helps preserve wildlife and cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate.