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Bharath Thammineni: First Indian to Scale All Accessible 8,000m Peaks
A momentous feat in Indian mountaineering unfolded as Bharath Thammineni, a climber hailing from Hyderabad (originally from Andhra Pradesh), has become the first Indian to climb all nine of the world’s currently accessible 8,000-metre peaks.
On October 14, 2025, he summited Cho Oyu (8,201 m) — the sixth highest mountain globally — thereby completing his quest to scale all the lofty giants open to Indian climbers.
A Decade in the Making: Thammineni’s Climbing Journey
Thammineni’s path to this milestone has been long, arduous, and studded with challenges. Over the span of nearly ten years, he systematically conquered the major 8,000-metre peaks available for Indian climbers:
- Everest (8,848 m) — 2017
- Manaslu (8,163 m) — 2018
- Lhotse (8,516 m) — 2019
- Annapurna I (8,091 m) & Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) — both in 2022
- Makalu (8,463 m) — 2023
- Shishapangma (8,012 m) — 2024
- Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) — 2025
- Finally, Cho Oyu in October 2025 sealed the complete set.
In the process, he overcame harsh weather, high altitudes, and logistical constraints. For Cho Oyu itself, he arrived at the base camp as early as September 30 and had to contend with heavy snowfall and adverse conditions, delaying initial attempts.
He reportedly made his final summit push beginning October 12. He said he reached the top at 6:55 a.m. China time (8:55 a.m. IST), before descending to the summit camp safely.
Remarkably, his final ascent was made without Sherpa support, highlighting his self-reliance and high level of mountaineering competence.
What “All Accessible 8,000-Metre Peaks” Means
Of the 14 mountains in the world that exceed 8,000 metres, five are located in areas currently off-limits to Indian climbers (notably peaks in Pakistan: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I & II, Broad Peak). Thus, in effect, there are 9 such peaks that Indian mountaineers can generally access, and Thammineni is now the first Indian to summit all 9.
In other words, “all accessible” refers to those peaks not constrained by cross-border or geopolitical restrictions for Indian expeditions.
Significance & Legacy
This accomplishment places Thammineni firmly among India’s all-time great high-altitude climbers. Some of the broader impacts and reflections:
- Inspiration for Indian mountaineering: His feat demonstrates that sustained, committed effort over years can overcome the highest challenges. It provides a powerful narrative to aspiring Indian mountaineers.
- Leadership & mentoring: Thammineni is not just a climber but a mentor and expedition leader. He founded Boots & Crampons, a mountaineering company and training outfit.
- Promoting sustainable climbing: He is vocal about responsibility, respect for the environment, and sustainable practices in high-altitude expeditions.
- Further milestones: His past expeditions also include guiding roles in landmark climbs — for instance, mentoring India’s youngest climber to complete the Seven Summits and supporting a blind Indian woman to reach the summit of Everest.
Challenges Ahead & Aspirations
- Remaining peaks out of reach: The five inaccessible 8,000-metre peaks remain off-limits for now due to location and diplomatic constraints. Whether future agreements might open them remains uncertain.
- Pushing boundaries further: Having scaled all accessible peaks, future goals may lie in exploring new routes, winter ascents, or multi-peak expeditions.
- Bridging the gap in Indian high-altitude sport: His journey spotlights infrastructure gaps in expedition logistics, training, funding, and support services for Indian mountaineers.
- Preserving safety and sustainability: As mountaineering grows in popularity, maintaining standards of safety, minimal environmental impact, and ethical practices will remain critical.
In his own words, Bharath Thammineni has said: “This is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the potential of Indian adventure sports.”
Standing atop Cho Oyu, he paid tribute to perseverance, gratitude, and the silent lessons of the mountains. His journey may now serve as a beacon for a new generation in India: that the highest peaks, once distant and daunting, can be summited with resolve, skill, and unwavering dedication.
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