From Jashpur’s plains to Himalayan peaks: First-timers create history

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” This quote came alive in the Himalayas when a group of tribal youths from Jashpur — most of whom had never seen snow or experienced high-altitude terrain — returned with a historic achievement that filled all of Chhattisgarh with pride.

At 5,340 meters, they became the first team to summit Jagatsuk-1 Peak in Himachal Pradesh’s Pir Panjal range, completing the ascent in just 12 hours. For five of these young men, the journey was unimaginable only months ago.

With no previous mountain exposure, they relied on rigorous training at the advanced Desdekha Climbing Area in Jashpur. Under the mentorship of world-class mountaineering coaches Dave Gates and Sagar Dubey, their confidence and skill grew strong enough to take on the Himalayas.

The team not only pioneered a completely new route to the summit and named it “Vishnu Deo Route”, but also completed it in alpine style, without any pre-established path. Their expedition also led to the discovery of seven new climbing routes in the Duhangan Valley near Manali.

A standout accomplishment was the first ascent of an unclimbed 5,350-meter peak, which they named “Chhupa Rustam Peak.” Its climbing route, called “Curcuma,” draws from the scientific name of turmeric — a symbol of strength, healing and resilience in Indian culture.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the team, saying, “The history created by the youth of Jashpur at the heights of the Himalayas is a matter of pride for all of Chhattisgarh.

It is a testament to our youthful strength, courage, and self-confidence. I heartily congratulate the entire team and am confident that every youth of Chhattisgarh will continue to reach new heights with this same passion and courage.”

After two months of intense training and 12 days of final preparation, the team pushed through exposed crevasses and strong winds to complete the climb in one continuous effort-an extraordinary feat that will now be documented in international mountaineering records.

The expedition was led by Swapnil Rachelwar, with Rahul Ogra and Harsh Thakur as co-leaders. The climbing team from Jashpur included Ravi Singh, Tejal Bhagat, Rusnath Bhagat, Sachin Kujur, and Pratik Nayak.

Leader Swapnil described the new route as “extremely steep and treacherous,” yet the team’s determination never wavered. Their achievement earned widespread international attention, with renowned Spanish mountaineer Toti Wells calling it a “world-class performance.”

This landmark feat is expected to give Jashpur a new identity in the global mountaineering community and inspire countless tribal youths. It will likely open doors for adventure tourism, specialized training, and new skill-development opportunities in the region.