History Made! NIMAS Team Scales Gorichen East Peak, First-Ever Civilian Group to Achieve the Feat

In a significant achievement for India's adventure enthusiasts, a team of ten, including four civilian leaders and six members from the National Institute of Mountaineering & Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, made history. They became the first group to reach the summit of Gorichen East Peak, standing at 6,222 meters. The expedition was led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, Director of NIMAS.

Colonel Jamwal is decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal and the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. The team reached the peak at 4:50 AM on September 25, 2025. They were greeted by a serene sky and a stunning sunrise. This achievement is notable as civilian access to Gorichen requires special clearance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control.

Symbol of India's Adventurous Spirit

The climb is not just a mountaineering success but also a diplomatic and logistical victory. It represents the blend of civilian enthusiasm and military precision. Gorichen, known locally as Sa-Nga Phu or "the Abode of the Guardian Deity," holds spiritual significance for local tribes and Buddhist monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh.

The expedition team included Col. Ranveer Singh Jamwal as leader, JCO Bittu, Kewal Kishan, Sanjeep Yonghang, Tashi Marappa, and Tashi Chirang from NIMAS. Civilian members were Rajesh Mysore and Madan Badi from WMG Group, Vinay Chandra from HighPeak Software, and Raghuram Krishnan from Adobe India.

A Journey Beyond Limits

The expedition spanned 25 days over approximately 205 kilometers through rugged terrains in Arunachal Pradesh. Each climber carried a backpack weighing between 12-15 kg while enduring sub-zero temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions. Two civilian climbers were over 50 years old, proving that age is no barrier when driven by determination.

Raghuram Krishnan shared his experience: "This was my first-ever mountaineering expedition." He noted that despite having done high-altitude cycling expeditions before, this was different. His training at NIMAS proved invaluable during the climb.

The Spirit of NIMAS

NIMAS aims to ignite India's adventure culture by offering world-class training in various activities like mountaineering and scuba diving. Beyond technical skills, they focus on leadership development and environmental awareness. This expedition showcased how diverse individuals can achieve extraordinary feats through collaboration.

The team's return to Dirang was met with an overwhelming reception organized by Nephal Singh & team. They were welcomed by His Eminence from Dirang Monastery along with senior officers from ITBP and SSB. Their prayers symbolized the deep spiritual bond between locals and their sacred mountains.

A Record, A Reflection

As they celebrated their success, the team remained grateful for their guides' support and divine protection during their journey. "It's not about conquering the mountain," they reflected; "it's about discovering yourself - one breath at a time." This triumph serves as both a record and reminder that challenges offer opportunities for self-discovery.

Col. Jamwal expressed his thoughts: "This expedition is a testament to preparation's power." By uniting defense-trained mountaineers with civilians trained under NIMAS' guidance, they've shown what's possible when diverse minds unite with shared purpose.