Bengal Climbers Conquer Ladakh Peaks, Propose Tenzing & Hillary Names

A mountaineering expedition from West Bengal, the Sonarpur Arohi team, has successfully completed four significant ascents in eastern Ladakh. Led by veteran climbers Rudra Prasad Halder and Satyarup Siddhanta, the team began their Chang Chenmo Expedition 2026 on August 25. They scaled Chang Chenmo Kangri on September 11 via a new route, and on September 9, 16, and 20, they made the first ascents of three previously unclimbed peaks. These ascents were accomplished without the use of fixed ropes, Sherpa support, or high-altitude porters, emphasizing the team's technical skills and self-sufficiency.

The Sonarpur Arohi club has proposed naming the three newly scaled peaks Mount Edmund Hillary, Mount Tenzing Norgay, and Netaji Subhas Parvat. Consent for these proposed names has been received from the sons of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, as well as representatives of the Netaji Research Bureau, though official recognition is pending. The expedition faced considerable challenges, including extreme cold, water shortages, and logistical difficulties, testing the climbers' endurance and judgment. During one attempt, eight climbers were exposed on a glacier for several hours in temperatures around minus 30 degrees Celsius, an event from which they returned safely.

This expedition, which included two women climbers, underscores the importance of teamwork, planning, and adaptability in high-altitude mountaineering. Satyarup Siddhanta, a Guinness World Record holder, and Rudra Prasad Halder, an experienced Himalayan climber, highlighted the team's focus and collective achievement. The successful completion of these four ascents, including three first ascents and a new route, marks a significant milestone for the West Bengal-based club's exploration efforts in the challenging terrain of eastern Ladakh.