Pune, Correspondent
Pune-based renowned mountaineering organization Giripremi has announced two major expeditions in the Indian Himalayas, scheduled for August 2025. These include twin expeditions to Mount Samgyal (5,814 meters) and Mount Dawa (5,900 meters), both located in the Nubra Valley region of Ladakh. These expeditions are specially designed for Giripremi’s young and aspiring mountaineers, offering them a real-world opportunity to gain high-altitude climbing experience and test their mountaineering skills.
The Mount Samgyal and Mount Dawa expedition will be led by veteran Everest summiteer Krishna Dhokale, accompanied by experienced mentors Ganesh More and Ashish Mane, both also Everest summiteers.
The climbing team comprises Akhil Katkar, Manoj Kulkarni, Amod Pachhapurkar, Shravan Kumar, Sameer Devre, Ronak Singh, Sahil Phadnis, Kaushal Gadre, Chintamani Godbole, and Advait Dev. Notably, the team will attempt these climbs without any Sherpa assistance beyond base camp, managing all aspects of the expedition—including load ferrying, route opening, and camp management—on their own. This mission is expected to test and strengthen the climbers' leadership, endurance, teamwork, and self-reliance, as they navigate unpredictable weather and harsh terrain in the Leh-Siachen region.
Simultaneously, Giripremi has also planned an ambitious expedition to Mount Meru in the Gangotri Glacier region under the leadership of Umesh Zirpe, recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. This climb will attempt the first-ever ascent from the eastern ridge of Mount Meru—a technically challenging and sacred peak in the Garhwal Himalayas, mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures.
The Mount Meru team includes experienced climbers Vivek Shivade, Varun Bhagwat, Nikunj Shah, Ronak Singh, Vinod Gosai, and Mingma Sherpa. The climb features extreme rock climbing at high altitudes, with dangers such as frequent rockfalls, narrow ridges flanked by deep gorges, and treacherous terrain en route to the summit. Due to the uniqueness and difficulty of this attempt, the expedition has garnered attention from the global mountaineering community and the Indian Army.
The flag-off ceremony for both expeditions was held this evening at New English School, Tilak Road, Pune. Flags were presented to the teams by Sheetal Teli-Ugale, Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra, and Sunil Koparkar, Managing Director of IAC International Automotive India Pvt. Ltd. Other dignitaries present included Ms. Dipali Khairnar (Head of HR, IAC), Jayant Tulpule (President, Giripremi), Giripremi founder and veteran mountaineer Mrs. Ushaprabha Page, and Anand Palande.
Speaking at the occasion, Teli-Ugale urged the climbers to exercise utmost caution and extended best wishes on behalf of the state government. She emphasized that the Mount Meru expedition, in particular, would serve as a source of inspiration for young Indian climbers, symbolizing confidence, planning, and a patriotic drive to accomplish the extraordinary.
Sunil Koparkar also extended his best wishes to both teams, acknowledging the significance of these expeditions.
000
