Rajnath flags in Nimas team after 20 first ascents above 6,000 metres in Ladakh
Nimas mountaineers celebrate their successful Ladakh expedition after scaling 20 previously unclimbed peaks. (Image courtesy: X.com/@SpokespersonMoD)
New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Friday flagged in a 20-member National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (Nimas) team after it completed first ascents of 20 previously unclimbed peaks above 6,000 metres in Ladakh in 23 days. Led by the Nimas director, Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, the expedition covered the Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala and Chokula areas of the Ladakh Range.
The scale of the undertaking lies not simply in the number of summits but in completing separate high-altitude objectives within a compressed window. In mountaineering, a first ascent means the first documented successful climb to a summit; it does not mean the mountain had never previously been approached, surveyed or explored.
The achievement was first announced earlier in September. Media reported on September 5, citing a defence statement, that the expedition demonstrated Nimas’s ability to undertake technically demanding climbs in remote high-altitude terrain. Friday’s ceremony formally recognized the team after its return.
Why 6,000 metres matters
The defence ministry described the climbs as the first recorded summits of the 20 previously unclimbed peaks in the three areas. At 6,000 metres, or nearly 19,700 feet, reduced oxygen availability, extreme cold, changing weather and difficult terrain increase the demands on movement, recovery and decision making.
Attempting a succession of first ascents also requires acclimatization, route-finding, equipment management, weather assessment and close team coordination. The ministry said the expedition demonstrated planning, technical expertise, endurance and teamwork.
Nimas and Colonel Jamwal
Based at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, Nimas functions under the defence ministry and conducts training and expeditions across land, air and water adventure disciplines. Its activities include mountaineering, mountain biking, rafting, scuba diving, paragliding and paramotoring.
Jamwal is the director of Nimas. His documented mountaineering record includes leading the Indian Army Everest Expedition in 2016, when the first team under his leadership reached the summit on May 19.
What the 23-day expedition adds
At the flag-in ceremony, Singh commended the climbers’ courage and determination and said the expedition demonstrated India’s mountaineering capability and leadership in adventure sports. He said the ascents could encourage young mountaineers to pursue adventure and exploration.
The ministry said the expedition was organized to promote adventure and exploration in high-altitude terrain and inspire future mountaineers. The ceremony was held at Kartavya Bhavan-2 in New Delhi, with the defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other senior ministry officials present.
Beyond the summit count, the expedition gave the team sustained experience in acclimatisation, route selection, technical climbing and expedition management across multiple high-altitude objectives.
