Dehradun: The joint mountaineering team of the Indian Coast Guard and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, has achieved a historic milestone by successfully scaling the 7,045-meter-high Mount Mukut East. This marks the first-ever successful ascent of a peak above 7,000 meters in the history of the Indian Coast Guard. On Monday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed and encouraged the expedition team at the Chief Minister’s residence, congratulating all its members.
The Chief Minister stated that this success, achieved under the challenging conditions of the Himalayas, is a testament to the mountaineers’ courage, firm resolve, discipline, and collective efforts. This achievement is a matter of pride not only for the Indian Coast Guard but for the entire nation.
He noted that Uttarakhand’s identity is linked with courage, valor, and a rich mountaineering tradition. This expedition holds special significance as it is dedicated to the 25 glorious years of the state’s formation. It is a matter of great pride for the state that the expedition team unfurled a massive 2,500-square-foot Uttarakhand flag at the summit of Mount Mukut East. This achievement also reflects Uttarakhand’s deep connection with the Himalayas.
The Chief Minister stated that Uttarakhand offers immense potential for adventure tourism and mountaineering. The state government is continuously making efforts to engage youth in mountaineering and other adventure activities. Such expeditions inspire youth toward hard work, discipline, and dedication to their goals.
He added that the Indian Coast Guard plays a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders. The achievement of its personnel at Himalayan heights demonstrates their adventurous capability and excellent training. The experience gained from the Mount Mukut East expedition will also prove crucial in preparations for the proposed Mount Everest expedition in 2027.
Expedition leader and Principal of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, Colonel Rajnish Joshi, shared that the Indian Coast Guard will complete 50 years of its establishment in 2027. This mountaineering expedition was organized as part of the preparations for the proposed Mount Everest expedition on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. The responsibility of selecting and training mountaineers has been entrusted to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
According to Colonel Joshi, during the expedition which lasted from September 15 to October 9, 2026, the joint team successfully scaled Mount Mukut East. Dedicating the expedition to the 25 glorious years of Uttarakhand’s statehood, a giant Uttarakhand flag was unfurled at the summit. He mentioned that as part of preparations for the Mount Everest expedition, the team has previously successfully scaled Mount BC Roy and Mount Tinchenkang in the Sikkim Himalayas. These expeditions have provided the mountaineers with experience in acclimatization, technical proficiency, and team coordination in high-Himalayan conditions.
