Nepali and Korean climbers, participating in the Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition-2024, successfully summited Jugal-I, unclimbed peak in Sidhupalchok district.
Nepal Mountaineering Association, expedition organizer, in a statement issued on Monday termed the successful summit a ‘significant achievement for Nepal’s mountain tourism promotion’.
Captain Um Hong Gil, who led the expedition, along with record holder Nepali climber Lakpa Dendi Sherpa and Lama Babu Sherpa, reached the peak on May 3, said the Association.
“Lakpa Dendi Sherpa reached the summit at 12:30 pm, followed by Um Hong Gil and Lama Babu Sherpa at 3:30 pm the same day. Subsequently, on May 4, Joung Je Gyun, Kim Dong Jin, Koo Eun Soo, and Baek Jong Min also reached the summit of Jugal I at 12:30 pm,” read the statement.
Last year, following technical support and recommendations from the NMA, Nepal government decided to open up five peaks in the Jugal Himal range for climbing activities.
A joint route survey team comprising members from the Association, Korean Alpine Federation, Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, and Jugal Rural Municipality had successfully conducted the survey work last January.
Nepal government, at the request of the Association, had waived the climbing royalty for Jugal Himal expedition.
The Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition-2024 was organized coinciding with the golden jubilee celebration of bilateral relations between Nepal and South Korea.
The team is now preparing to conquer Jugal-II (6518m).
