 Kanchenjunga, Peak IX of the Indian Survey, is the most easterly of the 8,000m peaks, standing on the border between Nepal Sikkim. There are a number of subsidiary summits, at least three over 8,000m: the south summit - occasionally called Kanchenjunga II - was given a unique designation (peak VIII) by the Indian survey. The central (between the south and main tops) and west summits are both over 8,400m, the west (Yalung Kang ) having been the specific object of several expeditions.Kanchenjunga's name is something of mystery. One Sanskrit scholar claimed it derived from Kancan Jangha, golden thigh, through quite why this should have been is a mystery as there is no physical resemblance, or any obvious legend associated with the area. Most experts now agree a Tibetan origin, deriving from Kang-chen-dzo-nga which would be pronounced (more or less) as Kanchenjunga. On 19th century explorer claimed the name was given to a local Sikkim god who rode a white lion and waved a banner, believing that the lion was the peak, the banner the clouds or snow plume at the summit. The name remains as enigma.
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