Srinagar, June 1: Two mountaineers from Kashmir have successfully scaled the world’s highest peak Mount Everest as part of the joint expedition by Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM) and National Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). The duo accomplished the expedition on Tuesday morning. The mountaineers from the Valley, Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Mahafooz Ilahi were part of first of its kind joint expedition launched by JIM and NIM.
The successful joint expedition summiteers included Col Amit Bishit, Hav Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Hav Chander Negi, Mahafooz Ilahi from JIM and Hav Anil Kumar, Deep Sahi from NIM , Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa, Pemba Tshering Sherpa, Parita Sherpa, Tshering Tashi Sherpa, Dorje Sherpa and Any Chhombi Sherpa.
After successfully scaling Mount Everest, the team is expected to halt at Camp 2 on Tuesday and are expected to be back at base camp on Wednesday.
“Two back to back cyclones Tauktae and Yaas in a span of 10 days had a big impact on this year’ Everest expedition with blizzards, heavy snowfall, frequent quick change in weather conditions and avalanches a common occurrence. Along with the cyclone Covid 19 pandemic also made this year different from the previous years Everest expedition” said a statement issued by JIM.
“The expedition of JIM and NIM, was the first of its kind joint expedition by two national institutes of mountaineering under the leadership of Principal of JIM&WS Col I S Thapa and Principal of NIM Col Amit Bisht,” the statement said.
Earlier, expedition was flagged off from Delhi on April 1.
The team had reached Everest base camp (5364m) on April 12 and after proper acclimatization went for submitting Mount Lobuche east (6119m) as part of acclimatization rotation.
The team also successfully summited Mt Lobuche on April 2, technically a tough peak on Nepal Himalayas.
Col IS Thapa has previously also lead and summited an army expedition to Mt Everest from North face (Tibet) in 2007 for which the officer was conferred with the Vishisht Seva medal.
Meanwhile, Winter Games Association of J&K has hailed both the organising institutes for their successful attempt and have also praised the mountaineer duo from the Valley.
“It is great news for all of us as this joint expedition included two Kashmir mountaineers who have scaled the world’s highest peak. It is matter of pride for all of us in adventure fraternity that two Kashmir mountaineers were part of this expedition,” said general secretary, Winter Games Association, Muhammad Yousuf.
“This is going to provide a boost to mountaineering in J&K and more youngsters will join the adventure sports,” Yousuf added.