Table of Contents
Key takeaways
- Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain and one of the most dangerous, with a high fatality rate exceeding 20% since the 1990s.
- Since its first successful summit in 1955, about 200 climbers have attempted to reach Kanchenjunga’s summit, with 20-25 climbers trying each season.
- Many climbers stop just short of the actual summit out of respect for local cultural beliefs that consider the peak sacred.
- The mountain’s extreme weather, steep slopes, avalanche risks, and technical challenges make it a serious test even for experienced mountaineers.
Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world, standing tall at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). It sits on the border between Nepal and India. This mountain is famous for being very challenging and dangerous to climb. Many climbers dream of reaching its summit, but not many succeed. This article will explain how many people have climbed Kanchenjunga and why it is so difficult to do so.
What is Kanchenjunga?
Kanchenjunga means “The Five Treasures of Snow,” named after its five high peaks. The mountain is holy to local people and is surrounded by many myths and legends. It is part of the Himalayan mountain range, which also includes Mount Everest and K2.
How Dangerous is Climbing Kanchenjunga?
Climbing Kanchenjunga is one of the hardest mountaineering challenges. The weather is very cold and can change quickly. The oxygen level is very low at high altitudes, making it hard to breathe. Avalanches and falls happen often. Because of these dangers, about 20% of people who try to climb Kanchenjunga die during the attempt. This is a much higher death rate than many other mountains like Everest, which has around a 4% fatality rate.
How Many People Have Climbed Kanchenjunga?
Unlike Everest or K2, fewer people have climbed Kanchenjunga. It is less crowded because it is not only physically tough but also culturally respected, with climbers often stopping just before the actual summit in respect of local beliefs.
- Since the first successful ascent in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band, only around 200 people have come close to the summit.
- About 20 to 25 people attempt to climb Kanchenjunga each climbing season.
- Some years see fewer climbers due to the mountain’s extreme difficulty and high death rate.
- In recent years, the highest number of climbers trying to summit in one season was about 34 people.
- Sadly, many climbers have lost their lives while attempting it, including some famous mountaineers.
Why Do So Few People Climb Kanchenjunga?
Several reasons make Kanchenjunga less climbed than other big mountains:
- The technical difficulty of the climb is very high, with steep slopes and dangerous crevasses.
- Harsh weather and cold temperatures make climbing trips risky.
- The high fatality rate discourages many climbers.
- Cultural respect leads some to stop just short of the summit.
- The permits and logistics to climb Kanchenjunga are more complicated than more popular mountains.
Conclusion
Kanchenjunga is one of the most challenging and respected mountains in the world. Around 200 people have tried to reach its summit since climbing began in the 1950s, with only a fraction succeeding due to extreme weather, technical difficulty, and cultural respect for the mountain. The death rate is high, making it a serious challenge for even the most experienced climbers. Every climbing season, about 20-30 people attempt Kanchenjunga, keeping it less crowded than Everest or K2 but equally, if not more, dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many people have summited Kanchenjunga?
Approximately 200 climbers have come close to summiting Kanchenjunga since 1955, with a smaller number successfully reaching near the summit.
Why do climbers stop short of the Kanchenjunga summit?
Many climbers respect the local belief that the summit is sacred and therefore intentionally do not stand on the actual peak.
Is Kanchenjunga more dangerous than Everest?
Yes. Kanchenjunga has a higher fatality rate (about 20%) compared to Everest (around 4%), making it much more dangerous.
How many people climb Kanchenjunga each season?
On average, around 20 to 25 people try to climb Kanchenjunga every climbing season.
Who was the first person to climb Kanchenjunga?
Joe Brown and George Band completed the first successful ascent in 1955.
