the Himalaya Mountains at about 35.421226N 77.

109540E, just northeast of the

point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends.[2][3] At 76 km (47 mi) long, it
is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas.[4] It falls
from an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above sea level at its head at Indira Col on the China border
down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at itsterminus. Entire Siachen Glacier with all major passes is currently
under administration of India since 1984,[5] while Pakistan controls region west of Saltoro Ridge.[6]
The Siachen Glacier lies immediately south of the great drainage divide that separates the Eurasian
Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram sometimes
called the "Third Pole". The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west and the
main Karakoram range to the east. The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the Sia Kangri
peak on the China border in the Karakoram range. The crest of the Saltoro Ridge's altitudes range
from 5,450 to 7,720 m (17,880 to 25,330 feet). The major passes on this ridge are, from north to
south, Sia La at 5,589 m (18,336 ft), Bilafond La at 5,450 m (17,880 ft), and Gyong La at 5,689 m
(18,665 ft). The average winter snowfall is more than 1000 cm (35 ft) and temperatures can dip to
50 C (58 F). Including all tributary glaciers, the Siachen Glacier system covers about
700 km2 (270 sq mi).