ITBP Team summits Makalu, abandons Annapurna attempt due to weather
Five Indian climbers successfully scale Makalu, while dangerous conditions force retreat on Annapurna amid rising Indian participation in Nepal’s mountaineering season.
A team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has completed its Makalu expedition, while calling off an attempt on Annapurna due to adverse weather conditions, according to expedition organizers Seven Summit Treks.
The ITBP team, led by Deputy Commandant Anoop Kumar, saw five of its six members reach the summit of Makalu (8,485 meters) on April 19. The successful climbers were Bahadur Chand, Pradeep Panwar, Sanjay Kumar, Sonam Stobdan, and Vimal Kumar.
They were accompanied by a team of Nepali Sherpa guides who also reached the summit: Pem Nurbu Sherpa, Ang Demba Sherpa, Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, Furtemba Sherpa, Dawa Sashi Sherpa, Pemtashi Sherpa, and Dawa Sherpa, the managing director of Seven Summit Treks.
The ITBP's attempt on Annapurna was abandoned after an avalanche destroyed fixed lines between Camp 2 and Camp 3. Although the route was re-established, a whiteout and strong blizzard forced the team to turn back 150 meters below the summit.
Climbers from India have been participating in increasing numbers in Nepal’s mountaineering seasons in recent years, driven in part by the involvement of Indian security forces and civilian mountaineers. According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism, India is the second-largest nationality by number of permits issued for the ongoing spring climbing season.
From April 1 to April 25, a total of 1,025 permits were issued to climb 26 peaks. Indian climbers received 124 permits, second only to the United States with 151. India now represents the third-largest group by country overall this season.
As of April 25, Nepal had issued 74 Everest climbing permits to Indian climbers, trailing only the United States with 82 permits. China ranked third with 60 permits
