ITANAGAR, Sep 5: The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, has achieved a major mountaineering feat by completing a first-ascent expedition to 20 previously unclimbed peaks in Ladakh, all above 6,000 metres, in just 23 days.
Led by NIMAS Director Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, the expedition recorded 20 first-ever summits, marking a significant milestone in Indian mountaineering and highlighting the capabilities of an Arunachal Pradesh-based institution.
The achievement is also a significant moment for Arunachal Pradesh, with several local mountaineers and adventure sports personnel participating in the expedition. Lobsang Tenzin Bapu, Dorjee Khandu, Tenzing Dawa, Tashi Marakpa, Dorjee Tsering, Sangey Tsering, Kon Tsering, Sang Khandu and Leki Passang were among the Arunachal members of the team.
Their participation, NIMAS said, reflects the potential of Arunachal Pradesh’s youth in high-altitude mountaineering and adventure sports and the opportunities being created through the institution.
Col Jamwal, who has more than two decades of mountaineering experience and over 80 expeditions to his credit, has led several challenging high-altitude expeditions. He is the only Indian to have climbed Mount Everest three times, completed the Seven Summits and climbed the highest peaks of all 28 Indian states. His achievements include two world records, two Asian records and four Indian records, besides several national honours.
He has also received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (2012), Indian Mountaineering Foundation Gold Medal (2017) and MacGregor Memorial Medal (2025).
At 50, his latest expedition further underscores his endurance, experience and commitment to mountaineering.
Since taking charge as Director, NIMAS, Col Jamwal has focused on strengthening the institute’s expedition and training capabilities and expanding opportunities for young people in adventure sports.
The institution has undertaken expeditions and training activities in mountaineering, river rafting and other adventure disciplines while promoting the participation of local youth.
The Ladakh expedition adds another major achievement to NIMAS’s growing record and, according to the institute, marks its third consecutive world record in three years.
Based at Dirang in West Kameng district, NIMAS is a Government of India institution under the Ministry of Defence and offers training and expedition activities across land-, air- and water-based adventure disciplines, including mountaineering, sport climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, paramotoring, white-water rafting, kayaking and scuba diving.
The latest achievement has further highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s potential as a centre for mountaineering, adventure sports and outdoor education, while providing greater national visibility to the state’s emerging pool of adventure sports talent.