Nestled amidst the snow kissed splendor of the mountain peaks Sikkim is the most sought after destination to experience the thrill of mountaineering. The majestic Kanchenjunga lying at the Southwestern part of Sikkim creates the ideal backdrop for the mountaineers. Apart from Kanchenjunga standing tall with a height of 8,585 m there are a number of other mountains, which add to the grandeur of the state whilst making it the ideal place to experience the magic and adventure of mountaineering.
The first European to explore the Kanchendzonga area was Douglas W. Freshfield who reached its base in 1899 from the Green Lake Basin area. A German expedition led by Paul Bauer made the first attempt to reach the summit in 1929 followed by another attempt in 1931 and reached an altitude of 7927 m i.e. 26000 ft. In 1955 Charles Evans conquered Kanchendzonga a few feet below the summit from the Nepal side. In 1977 an expedition led by Major Prem Chand reached a few feet below the summit. In 1987 an Assam Rifles expedition attempted the peak. In 1991 an Indo Japanese expedition led by Hukam Singh and Yoshio Ogata conquered the peak.
The Kabru was first climbed in 1935 by a British C.R. Cooke. The Pyramid Peak was first conquered in 1949 by a Swiss R. Dittert. A British A.M. Kallas, climbed the Pauhunri in 1911. The summit of Siniolchu was first reached by a German in 1936. It was later again climbed by the famous Sikkimese Everester Sonam Gyatso. Pandim was climbed in 1993 by a team from the Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute. Rathong was conquered by an Indian expedition in 1964.
Rafting In Sikkim
Rafting is a later entrant of adventure sport in Sikkim. Only the Tista and Rangit rivers offer long stretches which are ideal for safe rafting. On the river Tista, river rafting can be done from Chungthang to Melli. On the Rangit, the river is safe for rafting from Legship downwards. Both these stretches have now been opened for foreigners.
Mountain-Biking In Sikkim
Mountain biking is another adventure that has been recently introduced in Sikkim. Most of the roads in Sikkim are negotiable by mountain bikes. This sport is definitely poised to become popular in Sikkim in the near future. Many mountain biking routes have also been opened for foreigners.
