Sonarpur Arohi climbers from Bengal scale four Ladakh peaks, achieve three first ascents and propose names honouring Hillary, Tenzing and Netaji
KOLKATA: Three previously unclimbed peaks in eastern Ladakh could carry the names of legendary mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, as well as Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, following a major expedition by West Bengal’s Sonarpur Arohi mountaineering club.
The team completed four mountain ascents during its Chang Chenmo Expedition 2026, including three first ascents and a new route to Chang Chenmo Kangri, which rises to 6,536 metres.
The proposed names are Mount Edmund Hillary, Mount Tenzing Norgay and Netaji Subhas Parvat. The club has secured consent for the proposals from Peter Hillary, Jamling Tenzing Norgay and representatives of the Netaji Research Bureau. However, the names are still subject to official recognition.
Four Summits Mark a Major Expedition Achievement
The expedition began on August 25 and involved challenging climbs in a remote part of eastern Ladakh. The team summited Chang Chenmo Kangri through a new route on September 11.
It also recorded first ascents of three unclimbed peaks, measuring approximately 6,400 metres, 6,420 metres and 6,274 metres, on September 9, 16 and 20, respectively.
Veteran Himalayan mountaineer Rudra Prasad Halder led the expedition, while Guinness World Record-holding mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta served as deputy leader. Anindya Mukherjee acted as the expedition’s mentor.
The climbers relied on technical expertise, careful planning and teamwork to complete their objectives without fixed ropes or high-altitude porter support.
Satyarup Siddhanta and Rudra Prasad Halder Lead the Team
Satyarup Siddhanta has an extensive record in high-altitude exploration. He became the first Indian and, at the time, the youngest person in the world to climb both the Seven Summits and the Seven Volcanic Summits.
His achievements include summiting Mount Everest and skiing 111 kilometres to the South Pole while hauling a 50-kilogram sled. He has also undertaken first ascents of peaks including Gupt Parvat and Monto Massif.
“This expedition tested our technical abilities, endurance and teamwork. Climbing in such a remote region without fixed ropes required careful planning and trust in one another. Each summit was a collective achievement,” Siddhanta said.
Expedition leader Rudra Prasad Halder has climbed Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and Indrasan. His experience in exploratory Himalayan expeditions and route planning helped guide the team through the demanding terrain.
Halder said the climbers remained focused despite route changes, severe cold and water shortages.
Climbers Face Minus 30-Degree Conditions
The Chang Chenmo region presented significant physical and logistical challenges. During an attempt on another peak, eight climbers remained exposed on a glacier at around 5,900 metres for several hours in temperatures of approximately minus 30 degrees Celsius.
The team later discontinued the attempt and returned safely to Camp 1.
Mentor and expedition member Anindya Mukherjee said the experience reinforced the importance of sound judgement and flexibility in high-altitude mountaineering.
“Mountaineering demands patience, sound judgement and the ability to adapt when conditions change. The challenges we faced in Chang Chenmo reinforced the importance of teamwork and self-reliance. Reaching these summits together was a memorable experience for the entire team,” Mukherjee said.
Two Women Among the Expedition Members
The 14-member expedition team included Rudra Prasad Halder, Satyarup Siddhanta, Anindya Mukherjee, Naitik Nilay Naskar, Debasish Majumder, Dipashree Pal, Tuhin Bhattacharya, Wrik Roy, Aparesh Sannigrahi, Malay Purkait, Rahul Halder, Ratan Acharya, Yasmina Khan and Niranjan Pal.
Two women were part of the expedition. Naitik Nilay Naskar and Debasish Majumder also played key roles in exploring the routes.
By completing four ascents and proposing names that celebrate mountaineering history and India’s freedom struggle, Sonarpur Arohi has added a significant chapter to its high-altitude exploration efforts in eastern Ladakh.
