ITBP team scales Leo Pargil peak in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

Twelve members of an Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) team have successfully scaled the 22,222 feet Leo Pargil peak in Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

Out of 16 members that formed the team from the ITBP Sector Headquarters, Shimla, 12 reached the top, read a statement from the ITBP.

This is the first such expedition in the times of Covid-19 pandemic.

The expedition was led by Deputy Commandant Kuldeep Singh. Deputy Commandant Dharmendra was the second-in-command.  

Head Constable Pradeep Negi, who was also a part of the expedition, climbed the peak for the second time.

A native of Chhitkul, the last border village in Kinnaur, Negi has also scaled the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, twice.

The team members took the necessary training and did the required acclimatisation in spite of limitations due to the corona crisis, read the statement.

The Leo Pargil peak is considered one of the toughest and technically most difficult to climb as climbers have to deal with low oxygen level, extreme cold and high altitude sicknesses.

The ITBP is considered as one of the fittest and toughest force as it has been working in extremely cold and high altitude terrain.

The force is credited with 213 successful mountaineering expeditions since its raising, a record.