Siniolchu (left) and Kangchendzonga (right), guardian deity of the Sikkimese, greets a frosty dawn at Rest Camp before Green Lakes, the base camp of the mountain at an altitude of around 5000 metres on the Zemu Glacier. Both revered and feared by the Sikkimese, the mountain was first climbed by a British team in 1955 who in deference to the wishes of the Chogyal ( ruler) of Sikkim did not set foot on the holy summit.

Kangchenjunga range from Rinchinpong/Kaluk on a full moon night - the lights in the front are Gayzing, middle Gayzing , Pelling and Pemayangtse

Clouds over the peaks of the Zemu valley

Kabru at dawn from Chauringkhang (West Sikkim)

The north east face of Kangchendzonga from the Green Lake plain

Siniolchu at dawn from Rest Camp (Zemu valley)

Siniolchu from Rest Camp in the Zemu Valley, North Sikkim

Kanchenjau seen from Giagong on the North Sikkim plateau

Major General Kukreti examines the north east face of Kangchendzonga during the Assam Rifles expedition in May 1987 from a high point above the Green Lakes Base Camp. The long north east ridge culminates in the Zemu Gap. The peak on the left is Simvu with the Zemu Glacier below.

Kabru and Kangchendzonga from Rinchinpong monastery. The town of Gayzing in the foreground on the opposite hill and Pemanyangtse monastery on the hill top

Sunset from Dorji La - North Sikkim Plateau at around 18,644 feet

Looking east down the Zemu Glacier with the peaks of Siniolchu and Little Siniolchu on the right and one of the Green Lakes below.

Magnolia blossoms in spring near Tsokha on the Dzongri trail. Pandim and Jobonu in the background

Pandim from the maidan of Dzongri

Kangchendzonga and Pandim as seen from the chortens of Dablakhang near Dzongri