Today, a group of climbers who successfully conquered Thorong Peak were celebrated in Pokhara, accompanied by a comprehensive city tour. The prestigious event was meticulously organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association Gandaki Province in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Province Office.
Led by Bikash Gurung, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Gandaki Province, it was confirmed that nine climbers, including experienced trainers, reached the summit of Thorong Peak on June 30th. The ascent spanned from an altitude of 5,416 meters at Thorong Pass to 6,144 meters at the summit of Thorong Peak.
During the city tour and award ceremony, Kuman Singh Gurung, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment Gandaki Province, emphasized Nepal’s distinguished status in mountaineering tourism. He highlighted the imperative to integrate iconic Himalayan ranges like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu into the tourism framework.
Nabin Pokharel, Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Office, underscored the significance of leveraging Nepal’s mountainous identity in tourism. He stressed the necessity of equipping skilled professionals to bolster the sector.
Former President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Gandaki Province, Shes Kanta Sharma, shared insightful narratives from Thorong Peak expeditions, including challenges faced during recent climbs such as Dampus Peak at 6,712 meters, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pom Narayan Shrestha, Chairman of Pokhara Tourism Council, highlighted the pivotal role of integrating Gandaki Province’s Himalayan peaks into mountaineering tourism. He called for focused efforts in manpower development to sustain growth.
Key participants included Sagar Shrestha, Chief Accountant of Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province; Chief Trainer Pur Bahadur Gurung; Former President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Gandaki Province, Jeevan Raj Sapkota; Secretary Manshanta Ghimire; and Advisor Tikaram Sapkota.
The event demonstrated a collective commitment to advancing mountaineering tourism in Gandaki Province and harnessing Nepal’s natural treasures for global admiration and local prosperity.
