ITANAGAR, Sep 25: In a remarkable mountaineering achievement, an eight-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, led by its Director Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, has on September 21 successfully achieved a historic first ascent of an unnamed and unclimbed peak in Arunachal Pradesh.
The peak, standing tall at 6383 meters (20,942-feet) above mean sea level (MSL) in Gorichen range of Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas in Tawang-West Kameng region, had remained untouched by human footsteps until this daring expedition.
The peak was one of the most technically challenging and unexplored summits in the region. After overcoming immense challenges including sheer ice walls, treacherous crevasses, and a 2-km-long glacier, the team immortalized the momentous feat by naming the peak "Tsangyang Gyatso Peak" in honour of His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama, Rigzen Tsangyang Gyatso, sources at NIMAS said on Wednesday.
Born to an indigenous Monpa family of Ugyenling village, Tawang district in 1683, His Holiness Rigzen Tsangyang Gyatso was recognized and enthroned in Potala palace of Tibet as the 6th Dalai Lama. He is regarded as the greatest of tantrics and a great poet whose songs and oral narratives still influence the traditional poetry of Tibet and entire Buddhist communities in the Himalayan region.
The remote Monyul or the Land of Monpas was introduced and connected to the outer world through His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama. His unmatched wisdom is treasured in the hearts of Monpas and his blessings keep protecting the region and its people.
By naming this peak after him, NIMAS aims to pay tribute to his timeless wisdom and his profound contributions to the Monpa community and beyond.
NIMAS Director Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal shared: "This peak, with its unforgiving terrain and extreme conditions, symbolizes the resilience, wisdom, and spirit of exploration that His Holiness Tsangyang Gyatso embodied. Just as his wisdom prevails, we hope this peak will become a tall symbol of purity, unity, adventure, and inspiration for future generations.”
The expedition to conquer “Tsangyang Gyatso Peak” was one of the toughest ever undertaken by the NIMAS team. The route was fraught with dangerous crevasses, steep ice walls, and unpredictable weather conditions. However, through sheer determination and teamwork, the team was able to navigate these challenges and reach the summit, making history in the process.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated the NIMAS for the unprecedented success in scaling the peak and expressed his support for naming the peak after the 6th Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso.
"His Holiness Tsangyang Gyatso has long been a source of wisdom and cultural pride for the people of this region. His teachings and philosophies continue to guide us, and this peak will stand as a testament to his enduring legacy," he said.
NIMAS, which has been at the forefront of adventure and mountaineering in India, has informed the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) about the ascent and the decision to name the peak.
The necessary formalities for naming the peak are being completed to ensure that "Tsangyang Gyatso Peak" is recognized on the official map, Col Jamwal said.
This historic climb not only celebrates Arunachal Pradesh's rich cultural heritage but also positions the region as a key destination for mountaineering and adventure sports, attracting explorers and adventure enthusiasts from around the globe, officials said.
Khandu congrats Team NIMAS for scaling untamed peak
Chief Minister Pema Khandu extended his hearty felicitations to the Team NIMAS for their successful exploration of an untamed peak in Gorichen range of Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas on September 21 last.
“Huge congratulations to Team NIMAS on their historic achievement!,” Khandu wrote in a social media post.
Led by NIMAS Director Ranveer Jamwal, the eight-member team of climbers has successfully summited the untamed peak in the Gorichen Massif of Mon Tawang Region of Arunachal Pradesh, reaching an impressive 6,383 meters.
This peak has been named "Tsangyang Gyatso Peak" in honour of His Holiness Tsangyang Gyatso, the Sixth Dalai Lama from the Mon Tawang region.
“This groundbreaking feat showcases the spirit of adventure, connecting this remote land to the world. It also opens new horizons for adventure tourism and exploration in Arunachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said.
Khandu, who had on August 14 flagged off the expedition from Tippi near Bhalukpong in West Kameng district, further said: “Proud to have flagged off this extraordinary expedition—opening new avenues for adventure tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. Kudos to Team NIMAS for this remarkable achievement!”