Spanish climbers aim to summit Mt Thingchinkhang

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK, : Two seasoned mountaineers from Spain, Pablo Gullon and Victor Fernandez, set off from Gangtok to Yuksam on Monday for a 16-day expedition to summit Mount Thingchinkhang, a 6,010-metre alpine peak located in remote West Sikkim.

Gullon, 53, from Madrid, and Fernandez, 54, from León, are both professional firefighters and highly experienced climbers with over three decades of mountaineering experience. This is their first expedition in Sikkim.

“We are confident about summiting Mount Thingchinkhang. It’s considered the hardest climb in Sikkim, but we’ve tackled more technical peaks in the past. We’re hoping for favourable weather,” Fernandez told SIKKIM EXPRESS before departing for Yuksam.

The expedition is being organised by Gangtok-based Adarsh Tours, Treks & Expedition, which has arranged for a full support team including a local guide, technical person, cooks, porters, and yaks. The team aims to complete the expedition by October 29.

“It’s our first time in Sikkim, but definitely not the last,” said Gullon, praising the scenic beauty, tranquil environment, and warmth of the local people.

Mount Thingchinkhang is one of five alpine peaks officially open for mountaineering in Sikkim since 2005. Three of these are located in West Sikkim and two in the North. Foreign climbers must obtain permits and pay royalty fees to the State government before embarking on such expeditions.

GopalBasnett, managing director of Adarsh Tours, Treks & Expedition, emphasized the untapped potential of Sikkim as a global mountaineering destination.

“At present, there are very few international expeditions in Sikkim. The government is supportive, especially in terms of manpower training. We have well-trained mountain guides - many have completed basic courses, and some are advancing further,” said Basnett.

He added that while manpower is sufficient, more opportunities need to be created so that trained guides and other stakeholders can benefit from mountain tourism.

Basnett also suggested that targeted international marketing could significantly boost mountain tourism sector of Sikkim.

“Participating in international tourism fairs and promoting Sikkim’s mountain tourism will help attract more foreign climbers. When such international expeditions happen, they generate employment and income for a wide range of people, especially those in remote areas, like high-altitude porters, cooks, yak handlers, and local guides,” he said.

The veteran tour operator expressed that the government can consider relaxing expedition fees to draw more international interest, along with intensifying promotion of Sikkim’s mountain tourism on global platforms.