A four-member team of mountaineers from West Bengal has successfully entered and explored the remote and previously undocumented Stargyuk Valley on the fringes of Ladakh and Zanskar. In a bold, fast-and-light, self-reliant approach, the team not only completed a first ascent but also documented a significant glacial lake that could pose a potential GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) threat in the future.
On the summit of unnamed 5987m peak
On 25 May 2025, the team entered the South Stargyuk Valley and, over the course of three days, established a base camp at 4900 metres and a high camp at 5150 metres. On 28 May, they traversed the full length of the South Stargyuk Glacier and made the first recorded ascent of an unnamed 5987-metre peak at its head via the direct South Face (400m, 45° average gradient, AD+ grade).
In a major scientific and environmental highlight of the expedition, the team documented the entrance to the North Stargyuk Glacier the following day and captured what are believed to be the first photographic records of a large, moraine-dammed glacial lake in the region. The presence of such a lake in an unmonitored and previously unvisited valley makes it a matter of concern, especially in the context of growing GLOF risks across the Himalaya.
Newly formed glacial lake with potential GLOF threat at Stargyuk Valley
The team also observed that the Stargyuk glaciers are surprisingly extensive and appear to be in a healthier state than many of the better-known glaciers in neighbouring Markha Valley. This makes the Stargyuk region a valuable site for future glaciological and climate research.
The team has now returned safely, and a detailed expedition report is expected shortly.
Summiteers: Ananda Mukherjee, Sourav Das, Anindya Mukherjee
Route: South Face, direct (400m), gradient ~45°, grade AD+
Team Members: Aloke Kumar Das, Ananda Mukherjee, Anindya Mukherjee, Sourav Das
South Stargyuk Glacier
The Approach
