Pune mountaineers scale Mt CB

Six young mountaineers from Pune successfully summited Mount CB 13 (6264 meters), a highest peak Chandrabhaga mountains range located in Lahaul Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. All the mountaineers -- Pawan Hadole, Jayant Wakode, Sanket Dhotre, Lokesh Shinde, Varun Bhagwat and team leader Vivek Shivadehail from Giripremi, a Pune based well-known mountaineering organization.

Giripremi’s team under the leadership of Vivek Shivade started their expedition in early July this year. Unfortunately, the first attempt was called off due to worsened weather conditions just before 400 meters from the summit. Due to weather conditions, the team descended back to Manali and started the preparation for reattempt.

Team leader Vivek Shivade, with the help of suggestions from veteran mountaineer Umesh Zirpe, planned the reattempt. The team waited for weather clearances and ascended to the summit and successfully completed it. For the second attempt, the team was assisted by high altitude trekkers Balkrishna Thakur (Chandi) and Gopal Thakur. Additionally, Namgyal Negi guided the team throughout the expeditions whereas Dharmendra and Bharat worked as helpers.

Mount CB 13 is in Chandrabhaga Mountain range which is located between Chandra and Bhaga rivers. These two rivers merge in Tandi in Lahual valley and merged river is known as Chenab which enters in Kashmir from Himachal Pradesh. The upper and middle catchments of Chandra River are made up of a topography that has been carved out by glacial action. Climbers have to climb a huge Dhaka glacier to reach Mount CB 13.

Moreover, the river originates from extreme snow region and has pathed through the rocky region. It makes climbing difficult in Chandrabhaga mountains range. As a result, Mount CB 13 considered as technically difficult peak to climb. Therefore the efforts given by the team after unsuccessful attempt are courageous and valiant. Vivek led the expedition outstandingly well.

Mount CB 13 expedition was supported and co- sponsored by Kosha Group, whereas, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee Umesh Zirpe and Manali based mountaineer Khemraj Thakur mentored the team for the expedition.