KANGCHENJUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 14

KANGCHENJUNGA.

Sir, —In connection with the interesting articles which have appeared from time to time in your journal, I notice that Kang. chenjunga is incorrectly referred to as being the second highest mountain in the world. It is tho second highest in the Himalaya, but not in the world, the latter distinction being held by a peak in the Karakoram Range in Baltistan, which is north of Kashmir. This peak is known as "Mount Godwin Austin" (after one of the Surveyors-General of India), and also as "Chogori" by the natives, and "K2" by the Indian Survey Department. Its height is 28,265 ft,, whereas Kangcheti. junga is a little over 100 ft. lower. According to Mr. E. J. Garwood, the native nanio "Ivangchenjunga" means literally "Tho Five Treasuries of Greatest Snow," and is given by the inhabitants of Sikhim to the five loftiest summits in which the range culminates; it probably refers to the roof-like character of the peaks; the word if translated "Storehouse" being said to mean primarily, the little barns with high pitched roofs in which the natives store their crops. As regards Mount Everest (called after another Surveyor-General of India), it may be of interest to some of your readers to know that other names for this mountain are "Gaurisankar" (Indian) and "Chomokankar" (Thibetan). F. E. de Gueeiiieb.