Reaching new heights: BCS students scale 6,100m peak

In a remarkable achievement, the 26th Mountaineering Expedition Team of Bishop Cotton School (BCS) has successfully reached the summit of Mt Kiagar Ri in Ladakh, standing tall at 6,100 metres.

The expedition, which coincided with the school’s 166th Founder’s Day on July 28, 2025, began with an emotional send-off at the school fountain. Amidst the cheers of staff and students, board members Anil Mehra and Rita Wilson flagged off the team, setting the tone for an extraordinary journey.

Led by seasoned mountaineers Amod Talwalkar and Viresh Kumar Dogra, the nine-member team — comprising seven students and two staff members — set out to conquer the challenging peak.

The group arrived in Leh on July 29, greeted by Ladakh’s breathtaking landscape of snow-clad mountains and sweeping high-altitude deserts. The acclimatisation phase from July 30 to August 1 included treks to progressively higher altitudes and visits to cultural landmarks such as the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Tsemo Monastery. By August 1, the team had reached Khardung La Pass at 5,480 metres.

On August 2, they advanced to the base camp at 4,650 metres, braving falling temperatures and rising anticipation. The final acclimatisation trek on August 3 to 5,200 metres brought an unexpected challenge — four members developed symptoms of acute mountain sickness. After careful assessment, it was decided that Dogra and three students would proceed with the summit attempt, prioritising the safety of others.

In the early hours of August 4, the summit team made their final push, successfully reaching the peak before returning safely to base camp, where celebrations awaited. From August 5 to 6, the team rested and reflected on their accomplishment, also taking in local sights such as the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers and Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib, adding spiritual and cultural depth to their adventure.