Silver Jubilee Mountaineering Expedition peak at Mt. U.T Kangri 6070 M
The Bishop Cotton School, Shimla Jubilee mountaineering club are celebrating after the entire team reached the summit of their climb safely, with all of the members reaching the top of the 20 thousand foot mountain.
The Jubilee Expedition (25th year) of nine Cottonians and two instructors successfully summited Mt. UT Kangri, Ladakh, which stands at an altitude of 6070 metres (20,031 feet) on 5th August in the morning. The team started at 3am for their trek, setting off at dawn in the darkness.
BCS Director Simon Weale said: ‘BCS prides itself on challenging young people to be the best version of themselves. This is an exceptional achievement by the 2024 team which will bond them together for a lifetime. They have all had to work hard to make the trip, but even harder to make it a success. There are over 600 million people in India under the age of 20, but only a handful who have reached for the stars and left their footprints on this summit. Congratulations to them all’
This is the first time in 25 years of the BCS mountaineering expedition’s history that all the team members summitted together – (*as there was always one person who felt the strong effects of the mountain’s force with altitude sickness.)
The BCS Mountaineering Expedition leader, Amod Talwalkar, said: “It’s unbelievable as the entire team summited in Silver Jubilee year of BCS mountaineering history.”
Nine days ago, the nine brave Cottonian team set off after the 165th Founder’s Day celebrations setting off the Leh, Ladakh with their mountain leader Mr Amod Talwalkar.
Bishop Samantaroy of Amritsar gave his blessing to the trip and the nine Class XII boys together with expedition leader, Mr Amod Talwalkar and Viresh Kumar.
Mt. U.T Kangri, is located in Ladakh and is a challenging climb, so the boys spent a week acclimatizing to the high altitude of Ladakh, visiting temples and mountain ranges.
Each year, the best climbers at BCS, the Pargiyal Mountaineering Club, attempt at least one 6000m+ summit. The first expedition took place in 1999, so this year marks another BCS silver jubilee. All of the participants are required to score an A grade in the Basic Mountaineering Course run in Manali which involves rigorous training and the mastering of mountaineering techniques.
BCS Director Simon Weale said ‘The annual mountaineering expedition is a wonderful challenge for our boys. They have trained very hard to be ready and we wish them every success in this unique test of their character”
Ends.
Images: Mountaineering team reach their peak Mt U T Kangri – team photo
ADMIN DETAILS OF THE CLIMB;
Pargiyal Mountaineering Club
Silver Jubilee Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. U.T Kangri 6070 M
From 28th July 2024, to the 10th August 2024.
General: The Pargiyal Mountaineering Club contingent of Bishop Cotton School, Shimla will leave for a Mountaineering Expedition to Mt.U.T Kangri 6070 M & P.t 6100 M on the 28th July 2024.
The Expedition will be led by Mr.Amod Talwalkar. The expedition will be flagged off by the Chief Guest: Bishop P. K. Samantaroy (Chairman: Board of Governors, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla) at 11.30 a.m. The team members are requested to line up in front of the fountain. All staff members are requested to be present on the first flat for the flag off ceremony.
Mount U T Kangri backgrounder:
The UT Ladakh Kangri peak, located in the upper valley of Rumtse village, is a prominent snow-covered peak that was recently explored and successfully climbed by local mountaineers from the Ladakh Mountain Guides Association in 2019. This peak is an ideal choice for novice mountaineers who are looking to climb a six-thousander as it is considered a moderate climb that offers an appropriate terrain for practicing technical skills.
Although the trail to the top of UT Kangri is beautiful, it is also challenging and requires prior experience in high-altitude trekking. The summit day is the longest and most exhausting day of the expedition, lasting around 10-11 hours. Climbers will be roped up in a team and will need to climb steep slopes in deep snow conditions. However, reaching the top of UT Kangri is rewarding as it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges such as the Karakoram, Zanskar, and Stok ranges that will be etched in the climbers’ memories forever.
BISHOP COTTON SCHOOL BACKGROUND
Bishop Cotton School is an institution rooted in history and tradition. Over decades, its alumni have included some of the most distinguished men in India and elsewhere. From the uniformed services to administrators, from businessmen and industrialists, to authors and actors, Bishop Cotton School has nurtured nascent talents and helped them come to fruition. This is a school that provides a child with a firm foundation to look capably and confidently to a global role in the years to come.
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by authors, news service providers on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Hill Post. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.
Hill Post makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site page.
