Giripremi’s Twin Peak Expedition in Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley, Ladakh – August 2025:
The Giripremi Adventure Foundation proudly concludes its Twin Peak Expedition in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley, showcasing the true spirit of Indian mountaineering—victory, resilience, and wisdom in the face of challenge.

The expedition combined two Himalayan giants: Mt. Dawa (5,814 m) and Mt. Samgyal, both offering unique tests of endurance and determination.

Success on Mt. Dawa (5,814 m)

Led by seasoned guide Thupstan Dawa, the Mt. Dawa summit team — comprising Akhil Katkar, Ronak Singh, Sahil Phadnis, Kaushal Gadre, and Chintamani Godbole — achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully reaching the peak at 5,814 meters.

This extraordinary accomplishment reflects not only their courage and endurance but also their unyielding commitment to mountaineering excellence. Their success stands as a shining example of teamwork, persistence and patience.

Mt. Samgyal – Courage in Retreat

Meanwhile, the Mt. Samgyal team—comprising Krishna Dhokale, Manoj Kulkarni, Shravan Kumar, Sameer Deore, and Advait Deo—faced harsh conditions just 100 meters below the summit.

In a display of true mountain wisdom, the team prioritized safety over summit glory and made the brave decision to retreat. This decision reinforces Giripremi’s core philosophy: “The mountain will always be there; we must return safely to climb again.”

Self-Supported Alpine-Style Expedition

Unlike heavily supported commercial expeditions, Giripremi’s Nubra Valley challenge was a fully self-supported alpine-style climb, demanding:

  • Carrying personal loads across rugged terrain.
  • Setting up high-altitude camps independently.
  • Navigating technical climbing sections without external aid.

This approach not only tested the team’s physical endurance but also highlighted their resilience, decision-making, and trust in one another.

Why this Expedition?

  • Promoting Alpine-Style Ethics: Lightweight, eco-conscious climbing that minimizes impact on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
  • Training Young Climbers: A platform for Giripremi’s next generation of mountaineers to gain invaluable high-altitude experience.
  • Expanding India’s Mountaineering Footprint: Strengthening India’s presence in Ladakh’s lesser-explored peaks, beyond commercial routes.

Giripremi’s courageous journey made headlines across leading Indian news outlets:

  • Deccan Herald highlighted how “10 climbers from Pune scale Ladakh’s Mt Samgyal and Mt Dawa in self-sustained expedition,” emphasizing the team’s resilience and independence.  (Deccan Herald)

  • United News of India (UNI) provided a detailed account, noting, “Giripremi successfully scaled Mount Dawa … while also climbing up to 5,770 meters on Mount Samgyal,” underlining the expedition’s self-supported alpine nature and strategic retreat just 100 m below the Samgyal summit. (Uniindia)