Triumph in the Himalayas: West Bengal Sonarpur Aarohi Club’s Historic Summit of Mt Brammah 1
Kishtwar: In an extraordinary feat of courage and determination, the West Bengal Sonarpur Aarohi Club achieved a historic milestone by successfully summiting Mt Brammah 1 in the Kishtwar Himalayas on July 18, 2023. This challenging peak, renowned for its technical difficulty, has been an aspiration for mountaineers worldwide ever since it was first conquered by British mountaineer Chris Bonnington nearly half a century ago.
Breaking records and making history, the West Bengal Sonarpur Aarohi Club’s team of skilled and eminent mountaineers became the first Indian expedition to reach the summit of Mt Brammah 1. This momentous achievement has not only brought pride to the nation but also raised the bar in the world of mountaineering.
The successful summit came after meticulous planning and coordination with the district administration of Kishtwar, as well as various government and military bodies. The expedition officially commenced on July 16, but due to adverse weather conditions, including whiteout and heavy snowfall, the team had to abandon their initial attempt.
During this setback, a Sherpa member fell approximately 70 meters, but luckily, he survived with minor injuries, shock, and snow blindness while scouting for an alternative summit route. Undeterred by the challenges, the team decided to wait for his recovery and launched another attempt within 30 hours.
On the midnight of July 17, the team made their second ascent, and at approximately 10:30 am on July 18, they triumphantly reached the summit of Mt Brammah 1. The team recorded the height as 6426 meters, slightly different from the topo map’s mentioned elevation of 6416 meters, which was based on readings from four devices.
The successful summit was the collective effort of nine climbing members and five Sherpas, with three additional members coordinating activities from the base camp. The unwavering teamwork and determination of the entire expedition contributed significantly to this momentous achievement.
Following their safe return to the Base Camp on July 19 at 8:30 pm, the team expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the district administration of Kishtwar for their unwavering support throughout the expedition. They also extended their thanks to the Indian Army 17RR, Police, Forest Department, KDA, and the local team, including Ravinder Singh Thakur, Bhanu Badyal, Rajesh Thakur, Avleen Bhutiyal, and two local youth from Kishtwar who recently joined the endeavor.
The triumph of the West Bengal Sonarpur Aarohi Club in conquering Mt Brammah 1 stands as a testament to human spirit, endurance, and the pursuit of greatness. This remarkable achievement will undoubtedly inspire future generations of mountaineers to push their limits and conquer new heights in the majestic Himalayas.
