Kullu teen sets world record by scaling Yunam peak in Lahaul

Prikshit Sood (15) of Kullu has made a world record by becoming the youngest climber to conquer Yunam peak (6,110 m) in Lahaul.

His father Panki Sood said that special permission had been taken from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) to allow Prikshit to achieve this feat. He said that the theme of the expedition was ‘high on nature, not on drugs’.

Yunam peak is a rare Himalayan trekkable peak that can fulfill the higher ambitions of trekking and adventure enthusiasts for climbing.

A team of 9 climbers led by expedition leader Virender Singh (38) of Kullu departed from Manali on July 12 and reached the base camp at Bharatpur in Lahaul district by traversing the rocky roads. After acclimatisation and load ferrying for 4 days, the team embarked for the summit at 3 am on July 16 and successfully reached the summit at 10.30 am. The team comprised Virender Singh (38), Daleep Pathania (37), Yogesh Pandey (42), Rajesh Rana (36), Vishal Thakur (33), Sandeep Choudhary (38), Rizwana Khan (32), Gagan Sharma (37) and the youngest team member Prikshit Sood (15).

A committee had been nominated by the IMF to evaluate the claim of any summit made by the expedition. The committee seeks GPS readings showing dates of climbing, time of climbing, height and location as proofs to ascertain the facts regarding summit of the claimed peak.

Prikshit had already climbed Kayah peak at the age of 14 in UNESCO world heritage site the Great Himalayan National Park during an Indo American expedition. He is also an avid skier and loves flying paragliders. Prikshit credited his parents for his achievements. He was thankful to his school and teachers for encouraging him to explore. TNS