A team of three Spanish mountaineers, Michael Zabalza, Michael Saez and Ruben Perez, successfully reached the summit of Jugal-2. According to Milan Tamang, Chairperson of the Jugal Rural Municipality Tourism Committee, the climbing team reached the summit and subsequently returned safely to the base camp.
Jugal-2, a 6,518-meter peak in the Jugal Mountain Range of Jugal Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok district, has been successfully climbed for the first time, marking a significant achievement for Nepal’s mountaineering and mountain tourism sector.
Boost to Jugal Mountain Tourism
Tamang said the successful first ascent has increased the prospects for climbing other peaks in the Jugal Mountain Range. He expressed confidence that the achievement would help promote Nepal’s mountain tourism internationally and draw greater attention to the region’s mountaineering potential. The first successful ascent of Jugal-2 by Spanish mountaineers is also expected to contribute to the promotion of Jugal as an emerging destination for adventure tourism, particularly among international mountaineers seeking less-explored Himalayan peaks.
Local Government Highlights Tourism Potential
Jugal Rural Municipality Chairperson Resham Syangbo congratulated the Spanish climbing team for completing the first ascent of the challenging Jugal-2 peak. Syangbo said the achievement by Spanish mountaineers would further establish the identity of the Jugal Mountain Range on the international tourism map and contribute to the promotion of Nepal’s Himalayan tourism.
The rural municipality has been prioritizing mountaineering, trekking-route promotion and tourism infrastructure development under its broader tourism initiatives.
‘Jugal Visit Year 2083’ Campaign
Jugal Rural Municipality is currently conducting the ‘Jugal Visit Year 2083’ campaign to promote the region as a tourism destination. Through the ‘Destination Jugal’ campaign, the local government aims to showcase the area’s mountains, trekking routes, religious sites and cultural heritage to both domestic and international visitors. The municipality sees the region’s Himalayan landscape and relatively unexplored mountain routes as having significant potential for adventure, cultural and nature-based tourism.
Jugal Range Builds Mountaineering Record
Jugal-2 is not the first peak in the range to attract mountaineering expeditions. On March 26, 2019 (Chaitra 26, 2075 BS), a team led by Everest climber Maya Gurung successfully climbed the 6,126-meter Gyalchen Peak. Similarly, on October 20, 2020 (Kartik 4, 2077 BS), a seven-member team led by Everest climber Sharmila Lama successfully climbed Jugal-3, a 6,184-meter peak.
In April 2024 (Baisakh 2081 BS), foreign mountaineers successfully made the first ascent of Jugal-1, further highlighting the climbing potential of the Jugal Mountain Range. The successful first ascent of Jugal-2 by Spanish mountaineers adds another milestone to the region’s growing mountaineering history and is expected to strengthen efforts to position Jugal as a promising Himalayan adventure destination.
