Indian Mountaineering Teams from NIM & JIM&WS Successfully Summit Mt. Aconcagua, Argentina
New Delhi, 24th February 2026: In a historic achievement for Indian mountaineering, a six-member joint team from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam successfully summited Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America and the second-highest peak outside Asia, on 22nd February 2026 at 14:10 hours.
The expedition was led by Col Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of NIM and JIM&WS, and was ceremonially flagged off by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 5th February 2026. The team reached Argentina on 8th February 2026 to begin their challenging ascent.
Expedition Highlights
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Acclimatization Success: Team first scaled Bonete Peak (5,050m) to prepare for extreme conditions.
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Team Members: Capt G Santhosh Kumar, Shri Deep Bahadur Sahi, Shri Vinod Gusai, Nb Sub Bhupinder Singh, and Hav Ramesh Kumar.
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Extreme Conditions: Endured fierce winds and temperatures between -20°C to -30°C, showcasing exceptional grit, teamwork, and professionalism.
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Historic Feat: Marks India’s increasing prominence in international mountaineering.
Significance of the Achievement
This successful ascent demonstrates the world-class training standards of India’s premier mountaineering institutes and highlights the capability of Indian climbers to conquer extreme global peaks. It reinforces India’s growing presence in high-altitude mountaineering and adventure sports worldwide.