A group of young Kashmiri mountaineers has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first in over seven decades to climb one of the six dangerous glaciers of the Thajiwas range in Sonmarg, Kashmir.
The trio planned to conquer Umbrella Peak, one of the glacier range's most challenging and dangerous peaks.
Standing at approximately 4,500 metres (14,764 feet) in the Thajiwas range of Sonmarg, Kashmir, Umbrella Peak features steep ridges and is considered the third and most treacherous in the expedition.
Before this exemplary effort, it was C.W.F. Noyce and A. Jones in October 1944, followed by John A. Jackson in 1945, who ascended the challenging Glacier No. 3 of Thajiwas' Umbrella Peak via the Basmai Nar and over the lowest point at the west end of the Kazim Pahalin Ridge.
The range was believed to be conquered only through two of its well-known tracks. However, Inayatullah Bhat, Shariq Rashid, and Waseem Raja ventured onto an unexplored path, discovering a new unexplored route to the summit—the Steep Couloir.
This expedition marks the third route to Umbrella Peak, etching their names in the history of Kashmir Himalaya mountaineering.
The expedition to the peak occurred after a 79-year hiatus. "Out of the six glaciers of Thajiwas, the third one, which is the most dangerous, leads the way to Umbrella Peak," stated group leader Inayatullah Bhat.
During British rule, Sonmarg was developed as a hub for climbing and mountaineering activities.
According to Bhat, this new accomplishment will pull more mountaineering enthusiasts to Kashmir, as this range presents challenges with majestic beauty that will mesmerise climbers.
According to reports, the first training centre, the Himalayan Club, was established in 1928. Expeditions were documented in Alpine and Himalayan journals.
The club was founded to promote and support Himalayan travel and exploration and to expand knowledge of the Himalayas and adjacent ranges through science, art, literature, and sport.
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