NIMAS Makes History: 20 First Ascents of 6000‑metre Peaks in Ladakh

The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports – better known as NIMAS – out of the quiet hills of Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh just pulled off something that will be talked about for years.

In a blistering 23‑day sprint they put boots on twenty peaks that had never been climbed before, each one soaring above 6,000 metres in the stark, wind‑swept ranges of Ladakh. First‑ascent after first‑ascent, the team logged 20 brand‑new summits – a record‑breaking feat that feels almost cinematic.

For those who haven’t heard, NIMAS is a government‑run institute under the Ministry of Defence, perched in West Kameng district. It isn’t just about mountaineering; the campus doubles as a training ground for sport climbing, paragliding, paramotoring, mountain biking, white‑water rafting, kayaking and even scuba diving. In short, it’s the go‑to hub for adventure sports in the Northeast.

This Ladakh venture adds another bold chapter to an already impressive legacy. The terrain there is unforgiving – sheer ice walls, crevasses that swallow ropes, and weather that flips at a moment’s notice. Yet the NIMAS team handled it all, proving that skill, discipline and a dash of sheer grit can tame even the most remote corners of the Himalayas.

Beyond the medals and the summit photos, there’s a deeper narrative at play. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often urged young Indians to step out, explore the country’s diverse landscapes, and turn adventure into a vehicle for personal growth and nation‑building. For the youth of the Northeast, watching a local institute dominate such a high‑profile expedition sends a powerful message: world‑class achievement is possible right at home.

The whole operation also mirrors the ethos of the Fit India movement – promoting physical fitness, teamwork, resilience and the kind of perseverance that can’t be learned from a screen. It’s a reminder that the mountains still have lessons to teach us, if we’re willing to climb.

Leading the charge was Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, NIMAS’s director. Under his watchful eye, the institute has chalked up its third consecutive world‑record in as many years. From the misty valleys of Dirang to the stark peaks of Ladakh, NIMAS is showing the rest of the country what the Northeast can contribute to adventure, exploration and national pride.

In the end, it’s not just a record on paper. It’s a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh, for the whole of the Northeast, and for India’s adventure‑sport community at large.