SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE

Mountaineering expeditions play a crucial role in mountain warfare training

- COLONEL RANVEER JAMWAL

FOR ME, MOUNTAINEERING is not just a sport but a way of life. It is a journey of perseverance, humility and self-discovery. Over the last 20 years, I have had the privilege of scaling over 70 peaks, including Mount Everest, which I climbed thrice. I have also scaled the highest peaks of all seven continents.

One of the most vivid and terrifying moments in my mountaineering journey occurred during my first expedition to Mount Everest in 2012. At the South Col, the final camp at 8,000m, we found ourselves trapped in a relentless snow blizzard. The wind roared at extremely high speeds, making it impossible to attempt the summit that night. After much deliberation, we decided to wait it out.

The next morning we received the devastating news that two or three groups had pushed for the summit during the night. Tragically, at least six climbers lost their lives, and many others suffered severe frostbite. That experience taught me one of the most crucial lessons in mountaineering, and in life: the value of patience. The mountains demand respect, and sometimes the wisest decision is to wait, even when the summit feels within reach.

Another unforgettable experience was during my third expedition to Mount Everest in 2015. We were navigating through the Khumbu Glacier when a deadly earthquake struck Nepal. The ground beneath us trembled violently, and avalanches roared down the surrounding peaks. It was sheer luck—and perhaps the grace of the mountains—that we survived.