Viewpoints · Singhik
Finding Siniolchu, the mountain Freshfield praised
Among the peaks visible from Singhik is Siniolchu, 6,888 m, which Douglas Freshfield called the most beautiful snow mountain in the world after his 1899 tour round Kanchenjunga. Learn to pick it out, then hear its climbing story.
Siniolchu stands south-east of Kanchenjunga, above the Zemu Glacier and the upper Lachen side. It is lower than its giant neighbour, but its steep, fluted ridges and pointed summit make it stand out. In 1899 Douglas Freshfield travelled round the Kanchenjunga massif with the photographer Vittorio Sella and wrote of Siniolchu in terms few mountains have earned.
The first ascent came in 1936, when Karl Wien and Adi Göttner of a German expedition reached the summit. Later climbers included the Sikkimese Everest climber Sonam Gyatso and the Ladakhi climber Sonam Wangyal. It remains a serious, technical peak, inside the Khangchendzonga National Park.
From the viewpoint, ask a local or the lodge staff to point out Siniolchu. Look for the sharpest, most pointed white peak, closer than Kanchenjunga. Early morning is best, before cloud rises. Binoculars help. It is a small detail, but once you have found it, you will look for it from every viewpoint in Sikkim.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
What is Siniolchu?
Siniolchu is a 6,888 m peak in North Sikkim, south-east of Kanchenjunga and inside the Khangchendzonga National Park. It is famous for its steep, symmetrical shape. Douglas Freshfield, who toured the Kanchenjunga massif in 1899, called it the most beautiful snow mountain in the world.
Who first climbed Siniolchu?
Karl Wien and Adi Göttner, members of a German expedition, made the first ascent in 1936. Later ascents include those by the Sikkimese Everest climber Sonam Gyatso and the Ladakhi climber Sonam Wangyal. It is still a difficult, technical climb.
Can I see Siniolchu from Singhik?
Yes, on clear mornings from October to April, Siniolchu is visible from Singhik's viewpoint among the snow peaks across the Teesta gorge. Ask locals to point it out; it is the sharp, pointed peak that stands out from the broader Kanchenjunga massif.
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