Three climbers from Maharashtra climbed Manda-I

Three climbers Dr. Sumeet Mandale, Vivek Shivade and Pawan Hadole along with Mingma Sherpa and Nim Dorje Sherpa summited Mt. Manda-I (6510m), one of the three peaks of the Manda group, situated in Kedar Ganga Valley on 18th September 2021. It is the first successful ascent from India and the second successful expedition after Japan in 1984. This expedition was organised by Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering. The team was led by Anand Mali and mentored by mountaineer Umesh Zipre.

The Indian team reached the summit through a knife-like narrow North ridge route, climbing steep 70 to 80 degrees above the altitude of 5000m, negotiating rockfall, hard ice and snow coupled with crevasses. Team mentor Umesh Zipre, who was part of two unsuccessful attempts on Mt. Manda-1 in 1989 and 1991, said, “Mt. Manda-1 is a challenging mountain. It challenges the mountaineer on different levels.” The youngest of the team Nikunj Shah played a crucial role as a support member towards the success of the expedition.

On the summit of Mt. Manda-I

Another Giripremi team consisting of Anand Mali, Varun Bhagwat, Ruturaj Agawane, Ankit Sohoni and Rohan Desai climbed Mt. Bhrigu Parvat(6041m) on 13th September, 2021.

Team