Climb the mountains and get their good tidings
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
Mountains have a way of changing how we see the world and our place within it. Their vastness reminds us of our limitations, their silence teaches patience, and their unforgiving terrain demands courage, discipline and humility. For those who venture into the high Himalayas, climbing is not simply a contest against altitude. It is a test of endurance, judgement, teamwork and the human will to keep moving forward.
The mountains offer beauty, but they also demand respect. Every ascent requires preparation, technical knowledge and the ability to make difficult decisions when conditions turn against the climbers. In this environment, success belongs not only to the strongest but also to those who understand the value of coordination, caution and perseverance.
These qualities were reflected in the successful joint Indo-Argentine Army Mountaineering Expedition, which achieved the summits of Mount Abi Gamin and Mount Kamet in September 2026.
A Joint Expedition to the High Himalayas
The 35-member expedition, led by Lieutenant Colonel Chirag Chatterjee, comprised 25 personnel from the Indian Army and 10 from the Argentine Army. The team was flagged off from the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on 21 August 2026.
The expedition successfully summited Mount Abi Gamin, standing at 7,355 metres, on 17 September, followed by Mount Kamet, at 7,756 metres, on 21 September 2026. The Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth, subsequently flagged in the returning team in New Delhi on 6 October 2026.
The achievement was significant not merely because of the heights reached, but also because of the demanding conditions encountered along the way. Extreme cold, high winds, snowfields, steep rock sections and crevasses tested the mountaineers' physical endurance and technical proficiency. Operating in such terrain requires constant awareness, careful planning and complete confidence in one's teammates.
The expedition also demonstrated the value of military cooperation between India and Argentina. Mountaineering in the Himalayas provides a demanding environment in which personnel from different countries can share experience, strengthen professional relationships and develop a common understanding of high-altitude operations.
Mount Abi Gamin: A Test of Endurance
Mount Abi Gamin rises to 7,355 metres in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, near the India-Tibet frontier. Situated close to Mount Kamet, it forms part of the high Himalayan landscape where altitude, weather and difficult terrain place severe demands on climbers.
At such elevations, even routine movements become physically exhausting. Reduced oxygen availability affects endurance, while freezing temperatures and sudden changes in weather can complicate decisions. Snow-covered slopes, exposed sections and crevasses require mountaineers to remain alert throughout the ascent.
The successful summit on 17 September reflected the team's preparation, coordination and ability to operate in a challenging mountain environment.
Mountaineering at this level is rarely an individual achievement. Every climber depends on the experience, discipline and judgement of the entire team. The ability to recognise danger, communicate clearly and maintain a steady pace can be just as important as physical strength.
Mount Kamet: Standing Among India's Highest Peaks
At 7,756 metres, Mount Kamet is one of India's highest mountains and the second-highest peak in the Garhwal region. Located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, it has long presented a formidable challenge to mountaineers because of its elevation, technical demands and severe weather.
The first successful ascent of Mount Kamet was achieved by a British-led expedition on 21 June 1931. Since then, the mountain has remained an important name in Himalayan mountaineering.
For the Indo-Argentine expedition, reaching its summit on 21 September 2026 marked the culmination of a demanding undertaking. The ascent reflected the mountaineers' physical preparation, technical proficiency and ability to work together in a challenging high-altitude environment.
The Discipline Behind Every Summit
High-altitude mountaineering demands far more than physical strength. Climbers must manage their energy carefully, understand the risks of altitude and remain alert to changing weather and terrain. Decisions made under exhaustion can have serious consequences.
Technical skills, including rope management, glacier travel, crevasse awareness and navigation, are essential. Equally important are humility and sound judgement. Knowing when to pause, change a plan or turn back is an integral part of responsible mountaineering.
Mental resilience helps climbers continue through discomfort and uncertainty, but resilience must never become blind stubbornness. The mountain sets the conditions, and every successful team must respect its limits.
These lessons extend beyond mountaineering. Preparation, patience, cooperation and the ability to make clear decisions under pressure are qualities that matter in military service and everyday life alike.
Mountains and the Human Spirit
People climb mountains for different reasons. Some seek adventure, others pursue scientific or professional goals, while many are drawn by the challenge of testing their own limits. Whatever the motivation, the experience often leaves a lasting impression.
The summit may provide a sense of achievement, but the journey teaches lessons that remain long after the descent. Climbers learn to rely on others, accept uncertainty and understand that progress often comes through small, carefully measured steps.
Mountains also offer a reminder of how little control human beings possess over the natural world. Weather cannot be commanded, altitude cannot be negotiated away, and a difficult route cannot always be made safe through determination alone. Respecting these realities is part of the wisdom that mountaineering demands.
The Final Lines
The successful ascent of Mount Abi Gamin and Mount Kamet by the joint Indo-Argentine Army Mountaineering Expedition stands as an achievement of preparation, endurance and cooperation. It also highlights the value of international engagement through demanding shared experiences.
Yet the deeper message of the mountains reaches beyond records and summits. They teach patience when progress is slow, courage when the path becomes difficult and humility when nature reminds us of its immense power.
To climb a mountain is not simply to stand above the landscape. It is to discover something about oneself along the way, while learning to respect the people and natural forces that make the journey possible.
The summit is a moment of achievement, but the real lesson of the mountains lies in the courage, humility and wisdom gained on the journey.
