Kanchenjunga Main, also known as Kangchenjunga, is the third highest mountain peak in the world. It stands at an impressive elevation of 8,586 meters or 28,169 feet. The mountain is part of a section of the Himalayas known as the Kangchenjunga mountain range. This range is delimited in the west by the Tamur River, in the north by Jongsang La, and the Nepal-China border. Kanchenjunga Main is situated on the border of Phaktanglung and Sirijanga rural municipalities in the Taplejung district of Nepal and also extends into India.
The name "Kangchenjunga" or "Kanchenjunga" translates to "The Five Treasures of the Great Snow" in Sikkim because the mountain has five prominent peaks. These are Kanchenjunga Main, Central, South, West, and Kangbachen. Among these five peaks, the three peaks viz. Kangchenjunga Main, Central, and South lie on the border between Nepal and India, while Kanchenjunga West and Kangbachen are located entirely in Nepal.
Until 1852, Kangchenjunga was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world. However, calculations based on various readings and measurements made by the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1849 concluded that Mount Everest, known as Peak XV at the time, was the highest. After further verification of all calculations, it was officially announced in 1856 that Kangchenjunga was the third-highest mountain in the world.
The first successful ascent of Kangchenjunga was made on May 25, 1955, by Joe Brown and George Band, who were part of a British expedition. They stopped short of the summit in accordance with the promise given to the Chogyal that the top of the mountain would remain intact. Every climber or climbing group that has reached the summit has followed this tradition.
To reach Kanchenjunga Main, one can fly to Biratnagar or Bhadrapur from Kathmandu and then travel by vehicle to Taplejung. Alternatively, one can also travel directly by vehicle to Taplejung. The caravan route to the mountain goes through Yamphudin and Ramachaur before reaching the base camp. The total length of the caravan route is 67.2 km through Yamphudin and 67.8 km through Ghunsa.
The nearest police post and armed police post to Kanchenjunga Main are in Taplejung, which is 67.2 km and 67.8 km away, respectively. The nearest health center is in Tellok, which is 44.1 km away, and the nearest settlement is Yamphudin, which is 25.6 km away. The climbing route length is not specified, but the duration of the climb is typically around 50-60 days, depending on various factors such as weather conditions and the climbers' acclimatization process.
The royalty fees for climbing Kanchenjunga Main vary depending on the season and the nationality of the climbers. For Nepalese climbers, the fees are NRs 10,000 in spring, NRs 5,000 in autumn, and NRs 2,500 in winter and summer. For foreign climbers, the fees are USD 1,800 in spring, USD 900 in autumn, and USD 450 in winter and summer.
In conclusion, Kanchenjunga Main is not just the third highest peak in the world but also a mountain of great cultural significance and natural beauty. Its challenging terrain and breathtaking views continue to attract climbers and adventurers from around the world.