Climbers from Assam summit previously unclimbed Ladakh peak, honour Lachit Borphukan

Part of the team on their way to the summit
| Photo Credit: Prabalika M Borah

Six climbers from Assam successfully summited a previously unclimbed 6,365-metre peak in Ladakh as part of the Triple Peak Expedition, organised by the Assam Mountaineering Association with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam.

The final ascent began on 14 April, with the team divided into two groups led by Manash Barooah and Shekhar Bordoloi.

Out of the 19-member team, the six successful summiteers are Shekhar Bordoloi, Jayanta Nath, Surajit Ronghang, Bhaskar Barman, Upen Chakraborty and Henry David Teron.

Part of the team on the summit
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The team was divided into two groups, led by Manash Barooah and Shekhar Bordoloi respectively.

Speaking about the planning involved, Shekhar Bordoloi, who led one of the groups, said, “A great deal of planning and research goes into such climbs, especially when it’s a virgin peak. In addition to studying the region’s topography, we closely monitored weather conditions. We consulted several maps, particularly topographic or contour maps, which highlight the landscape features of a location. These help climbers understand the gradient and nature of the ascent. We’ve been preparing for this expedition for over a year.”

The team on the summit
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Of the 19 boys and girls who set out for the climb, only six were able to reach the summit. The rest of the team had to either discontinue or remain at base camp due to health concerns. The expedition also aimed to name the unnamed peak after the Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. However, the naming process is expected to take time, as it involves formal permissions and documentation.

The group successfully summited the peak on their second attempt.

“We established a base camp at 4,800 metres near Kyagar La, and from there, set up two higher camps to acclimatise and prepare for the final ascent,” said Shekhar. “Our first summit attempt was on April 18, but we had to retreat to Camp 1 at 5,200 metres after choosing the wrong route.”

The summit camp was established at 5,750 metres.

“We re-evaluated our route and made another attempt on April 21, this time climbing via the south-west face and successfully reaching the summit. It took us over six hours. From the top, we could see Chakula Kangri and Chumathang to the north, Kyagar Tso, Tso Moriri and the Mentok Kangri range to the west, Chamser Kangri and Lungser Kangri to the south, and Chalung North Peak to the east.”

Inside summit camp
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Another team of four members — Madhurjya Manjuri Borah, Babita Goswami, Trishna Ramchiary, and Angshuman Borah —completed the Kyagar La trek, reaching an altitude of 5,600 metres. The team was assisted by two guides, Tenzing Lapu and Lobsang Dorjee.

Describing the terrain, Shekhar said, “The peak is mostly covered in moraine (large rocks). The climb has an incline of about 45 to 50 degrees. We reached the summit by passing through a snow corridor, which leads to a dome-shaped peak.”

And did they encounter any Yetis or ghosts? Shekhar laughs: “No ghosts up there! Since the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is nearby, we did notice paw prints in the snow — wolves and snow foxes had visited our campsite at night. We also spotted Pikas, which are small mammals resembling rabbits, and Himalayan crows.”