KISHTWAR: The West Bengal Sonarpur Arohi Club comprising a team of 12 skilled climbers, including renowned mountaineers Rudra Prasad Halder and Satyarup Siddhanta has arrived in Kishtwar region with the ambitious goal of summiting Mt Brammah-1.
This mountain, standing at a formidable height of 6416 meters, has witnessed only four successful ascents in its history, with the last one occurring 43 years ago in 1980. Should the team succeed, they will etch their names in Indian mountaineering history as the first Indian team to conquer Mt Brammah-1.
The team, consisting of a diverse mix of experienced and junior climbers, has also been joined by six sherpas to assist in the challenging expedition.
The climb coincides with the Brammah Sarovar Yatra, attracting numerous devotees to the region. The Brammah Sar Yatra committee members in Kibber nalla have generously offered accommodations and meals to the team, extending their best wishes for their undertaking.
Notably, the West Bengal Sonarpur Arohi Club is no stranger to remarkable mountaineering achievements. Rudra Prasad Halder, who has successfully climbed Everest, Kanchenjunga, Indrasan, and numerous Himalayan peaks, brings his extensive experience to the team. Satyarup Siddhanta, a world record holder mountaineer and the youngest person to conquer the Seven Summits and the Volcanic Seven Summits, adds another remarkable feat to the team’s credentials. Their combined expertise, along with the team’s prior mountaineering experience in challenging Indian peaks, makes them a formidable force.
The expedition has received overwhelming support from the local community and administration. The mountaineers from the Kishtwar region, who recently underwent training at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, have been instrumental in providing infrastructure and administrative assistance to the team.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav and ADC, Inderjeet Singh Parihar have extended unconditional support on behalf of the local administration to ensure a hassle-free journey for the climbers.
The wildlife and forest department, the 17 RR in Sounder, and the local police station have also contributed crucial information and infrastructure support.
The military, upon the request of DC Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav, has assured rescue support if required during the expedition.
This endeavor has fostered a meaningful interaction between the expedition team and the local community, opening up avenues for future collaboration and the flourishing of adventure tourism in the region. The local team, consisting of Ravinder Singh Thakur, Bhanu Badyal, Rajesh Thakur, and Avleen Bhutiyal, has been making a remarkable difference by accompanying the climbers and providing essential support. The expedition team includes :
Rudra Prasad Halder (Leader), Partha Sarathi Layek (Deputy Leader), Satyarup Siddhanta (Team manager), Rudra Prasad Chakraborty (Equipment in charge), Avik Mondal (Quarter Master), Naitik Naskar (Asst equipment incharge), Debasish Majumder (member), Joydeep Halder (member), Uddipan (Team doctor), Tuhin Bhattacharya (member), Asim Dutta (aast quartermaster), Chayan Chatterjee (Base camp manager).
The Sherpa team includes Phursemba Sherpa, Nurbu Sherpa, Bahadur Rai, Pass Dukya Sherpa, Dawa Nurbu Sherpa, Tenzing Sherpa; Cook, Beij Nath Thakur (Kibber Dachhan).
The base camp, strategically established at an altitude of 4170 meters at the foot of Mt Brammah, has been meticulously set up despite heavy rainfall. The team has arranged tents for its members, sherpas, and storage, as well as a fully functional kitchen. The climbers conducted a base camp puja, an integral part of any expedition, where prayers were offered to Brammah Maharaj, and blessings were sought for a safe journey. The team also dedicated some mountaineering equipment for blessings, symbolizing their reverence and commitment to the expedition.
During their stay in the region, the team will not only aim to make history in Indian mountaineering but also promote the message of “Nasha Mukt Bharat” (Addiction-Free India). They have also organized a medical camp and brought essential school supplies for the GMS Kibbernala School, further exemplifying their commitment to community engagement.
The West Bengal Sonarpur Arohi Club’s undertaking in the Kishtwar region marks a significant step in reviving adventure tourism, potentially paving the way for future mountaineering expeditions to explore the region’s majestic peaks. The team looks forward to the challenge ahead as they set out to conquer Mt Brammah-1 and rewrite the narrative of Indian mountaineering.
As Kishtwar embraces this new chapter in its tourism industry, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar encouraged adventure seekers and mountaineers to explore the uncharted heights of the region. He assured them of the government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment and necessary support for their endeavors.