Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Indian Team Summits 20 Unclimbed Ladakh Peaks in 23 Days
A team of Indian climbers went to Ladakh to climb mountains that had no recorded earlier ascents.
They climbed 20 peaks higher than 6,000 metres in only 23 days.
Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal led the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports.
The climbers had to study maps and the land because there were no earlier routes to follow.
Snow, difficult terrain, tiredness and flooding made the expedition harder.
One peak took almost eight hours because the climbers encountered several false summits.
On the final peak, they fixed almost 800 metres of rope on a steep ice wall.
The team changed its plans when weather and flooding blocked some routes.
Jamwal said keeping everyone safe was more important than setting a record.
A National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports team summited 20 previously unclimbed peaks above 6,000 metres in Ladakh over 23 days.
Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal said the expedition aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of Indian mountaineers and expand exploration boundaries.
The team used maps, satellite imagery, records, ground reconnaissance and consultations with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation to select objectives.
Peak No. 6, at 6,285 metres, required nearly eight hours to climb amid false summits and snowfall, while Peak No. 20 involved fixing nearly 800 metres of rope.
Snowfall and flooding at Gyama Nala forced schedule changes, leading the team to use reserve objectives while prioritising safety.
- Who
- Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal and a National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports expedition team.
- What
- The team completed what Jamwal described as the first recorded expedition summiting 20 unclimbed peaks above 6,000 metres.
- When
- The ascents were completed over 23 days; the first summit attempt was postponed from August 10 to August 12.
- Where
- Across widely dispersed mountain areas in Ladakh, India.
- Why
- The expedition sought to push the boundaries of exploration, demonstrate Indian mountaineering capabilities and create opportunities for young Indians in adventure sports.
- Expedition
- First Ascent Mountaineering Expedition
- Summits
- 20 peaks with no recorded previous ascents
- Elevation
- Every peak was above 6,000 metres
- Duration
- 23 days
- Peak No. 6
- 6,285 metres; climbed in nearly eight hours
- Peak No. 20
- 6,198 metres; required nearly 800 metres of fixed rope
- Expedition leader
- Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal