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Khangchendzonga - Sacred Summit (Part II) - S3 Ep3 with Pema Wangchuk
'Khangchendzonga: Sacred Summit' — Author Interview with Pema Wangchuk
For the third episode of Season 3, we return to Sikkim — continuing our series of in‑depth conversations with non‑fiction authors.
Senior journalist and documentary filmmaker Ranjit Monga talks to Pema Wangchuk ([email protected]), co‑author of Khangchendzonga: Sacred Summit.
In this episode, Pema takes us on a vivid journey through the early expeditions that attempted to climb Khangchendzonga (or Kanchenjunga) in the first half of the 20th century. He speaks about Alexander Mitchell Kellas, the chemist‑explorer whose pioneering ideas on high‑altitude physiology shaped the future of Himalayan mountaineering.
From 1905 to 1955, the sacred peak remained elusive — until, as Pema says, “it allowed” a team led by Charles Evans, deputy leader of the successful 1953 Everest expedition, to place four climbers just below the summit. They stopped six feet short of the actual peak, honoring their promise to the people of Sikkim that they would not step on the revered crown of the mountain.
Pema also brings alive the many stories surrounding these climbers:
- Aleister Crowley, the infamous “Beast” whose 1905 expedition ended in tragedy.
- A. Z. Tombazi, whose sighting of the Abominable Snowman — the Yeti — remains the only officially accepted report to this day
- The 1977 Indian expedition led by Col. Narendra “Bull” Kumar, which spent three gruelling months reaching the summit via the formidable North‑East route
- We also explore the artistic and spiritual legacy of Kanchenjunga’s admirers — Nicholas Roerich, Edward Lear, Yoshida Hiroshi, and others — whose paintings and writings continue to shape how the world imagines Sikkim and its sacred summit.
Links to all the books mentioned in the episode are included below.( These are affiliate links, which gets us a small commission if you order through the links)
Round Kangchenjunga by Douglas William Freshfield - https://amzn.to/4fpvRaN
Kangchenjunga: The Himalayan Giant by Doug Scott - https://amzn.to/4xey7rG
The Kangchenjunga Adventure by Frank Smythe - https://amzn.to/4erR1nG
Himalayan Journals by Dalton Hooker I - https://amzn.to/4fZ4zZ2
Himalayan Journals by Dalton Hooker II - https://amzn.to/3Qq86VR
Shambhala by Nicholas Roerich https://amzn.to/43XREiF
Himalayas - Abode of Life by Nicholas Roerich - https://amzn.to/3RNnE6B
Tibet - The Heart of Asia by Nicholas Roerich - https://amzn.to/4vSC44b
Altai Himalaya – A Travel Diary by Nicholas Roerich https://amzn.to/4dVjceI
Kanchenjunga – small poster of painting by NicholasRoerich - https://amzn.to/4vwacCz
Morning of Darjeeling - Poster of wood block print by Yoshida Hiroshi - https://amzn.to/4vxxkAr
Email address for feedback and suggestions:
[email protected]
Join the ‘Books and Us Community' on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19X2sQwnbU/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?utm_source=pwa_homescreen&__pwa=1
YouTube - https://youtube.com/@booksanduspodcast?si=SJrg6ZP6kNchUvZv
X - @booksnuspodcast
View all episodes
By Ranjit Monga'Khangchendzonga: Sacred Summit' — Author Interview with Pema Wangchuk
For the third episode of Season 3, we return to Sikkim — continuing our series of in‑depth conversations with non‑fiction authors.
Senior journalist and documentary filmmaker Ranjit Monga talks to Pema Wangchuk ([email protected]), co‑author of Khangchendzonga: Sacred Summit.
In this episode, Pema takes us on a vivid journey through the early expeditions that attempted to climb Khangchendzonga (or Kanchenjunga) in the first half of the 20th century. He speaks about Alexander Mitchell Kellas, the chemist‑explorer whose pioneering ideas on high‑altitude physiology shaped the future of Himalayan mountaineering.
From 1905 to 1955, the sacred peak remained elusive — until, as Pema says, “it allowed” a team led by Charles Evans, deputy leader of the successful 1953 Everest expedition, to place four climbers just below the summit. They stopped six feet short of the actual peak, honoring their promise to the people of Sikkim that they would not step on the revered crown of the mountain.
Pema also brings alive the many stories surrounding these climbers:
- Aleister Crowley, the infamous “Beast” whose 1905 expedition ended in tragedy.
- A. Z. Tombazi, whose sighting of the Abominable Snowman — the Yeti — remains the only officially accepted report to this day
- The 1977 Indian expedition led by Col. Narendra “Bull” Kumar, which spent three gruelling months reaching the summit via the formidable North‑East route
- We also explore the artistic and spiritual legacy of Kanchenjunga’s admirers — Nicholas Roerich, Edward Lear, Yoshida Hiroshi, and others — whose paintings and writings continue to shape how the world imagines Sikkim and its sacred summit.
Links to all the books mentioned in the episode are included below.( These are affiliate links, which gets us a small commission if you order through the links)
Round Kangchenjunga by Douglas William Freshfield - https://amzn.to/4fpvRaN
Kangchenjunga: The Himalayan Giant by Doug Scott - https://amzn.to/4xey7rG
The Kangchenjunga Adventure by Frank Smythe - https://amzn.to/4erR1nG
Himalayan Journals by Dalton Hooker I - https://amzn.to/4fZ4zZ2
Himalayan Journals by Dalton Hooker II - https://amzn.to/3Qq86VR
Shambhala by Nicholas Roerich https://amzn.to/43XREiF
Himalayas - Abode of Life by Nicholas Roerich - https://amzn.to/3RNnE6B
Tibet - The Heart of Asia by Nicholas Roerich - https://amzn.to/4vSC44b
Altai Himalaya – A Travel Diary by Nicholas Roerich https://amzn.to/4dVjceI
Kanchenjunga – small poster of painting by NicholasRoerich - https://amzn.to/4vwacCz
Morning of Darjeeling - Poster of wood block print by Yoshida Hiroshi - https://amzn.to/4vxxkAr
Email address for feedback and suggestions:
[email protected]
Join the ‘Books and Us Community' on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19X2sQwnbU/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?utm_source=pwa_homescreen&__pwa=1
YouTube - https://youtube.com/@booksanduspodcast?si=SJrg6ZP6kNchUvZv
X - @booksnuspodcast