Kangchenjunga is third highest mountain in the world, and the most easterly of the 8000 meter peaks of the Himalaya. The name means Five Treasures o f the Great Snow, a reference to its five summits. For those truly interested in such things the 1932 edition of The Himalayan Journal devotes 16 pages to discussing the origin of the word "Kangchenjunga". There was debate over it's Tibetan or Sanskrit derivation. If you don't have access to the Journal (it's in the university library where I live), or don't have the inclination to read 16 pages on this subject, the winner is Tibetan: Kang (Snow), Chen (Big), Zod (Treasury), Nga (Five).
The name is also spelled Kanchenjunga, but according to the Himalayan Journal article, people who know the Tibetan language strongly insist that the 'g' should be there.
The huge massif of Kangchenjunga is buttressed by great ridges running roughly due east to west and north to south, forming a giant 'X'. These ridges contain a host of spectacular 6-7000 meter peaks. On the east ridge in Sikkim, is Siniolchu (22,600' / 6888m), regarded as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The west ridge culminates in the magnificent Jannu (25,294' / 7710m) with its imposing north face. To the south, clearly visible form Darjeeling, is Kabru (24,002' / 7,316 m). The north ridge contains The Twins and Tent Peak, and runs up to the Tibetan border by the Jongsong La, a 20,080' (6,120 m) pass.
Kangchenjunga does not have an "easy" route as the threat of avalanche is high. Since it is in the eastern Himalaya it receives the brunt of the monsoon moisture.
The summit is considered sacred by the people of Sikkim. Early expeditions that climbed the mountain stopped a few feet from the top to respect this belief.
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