At the crack of dawn on July 27, while most of us were still asleep, two women from Arunachal Pradesh stood on top of one of the most brutal mountains in the Indian Himalayas — and the moment deserves a lot more noise than it’s getting.
Rising Above — Literally
January Tali from Yingkiong in Upper Siang district, and Hachu Lombo from Anini in Dibang Valley district, successfully scaled Mt Kun, which rises 7,077 metres above sea level in Ladakh’s Zanskar region, reaching the summit at 6 a.m. on July 27 after a challenging expedition. Two women. One summit. A whole lot of grit. What makes this even more remarkable is the sheer scale of what they walked into. Mt Kun is regarded as one of India’s most demanding high-altitude technical climbs, notorious for its steep snow slopes, treacherous glaciers and unpredictable weather conditions. This isn’t a tourist trail. This is a mountain that tests your body, your mind, and frankly, your will to live.
Only Four Made It to the Top
Here’s the number that puts everything into perspective. The expedition comprised nine climbers — seven men and two women — excluding Sherpas. Of the nine members, only four successfully reached the summit. Four out of nine. That’s the kind of statistic that quietly tells you everything about what Tali and Lombo pulled off. They didn’t just complete the climb — they did it when more than half the team couldn’t. Think about that for a second.
A Governor’s Pride, A State’s Inspiration
Back home, the achievement wasn’t going unnoticed. Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik congratulated the duo, describing the feat as a matter of immense pride for the state, saying their successful ascent reflects extraordinary courage, determination, endurance and mental strength. He also added that their success would inspire young people, particularly women across Arunachal Pradesh, to take up adventure sports and pursue physical fitness. And honestly, he’s right. In a state where many young girls still face limited opportunities, seeing two of their own conquer a 7,000-metre peak in Ladakh sends a message no policy document ever could.
January Tali — Already a Legend in the Making
For January Tali, Mt Kun is simply the latest chapter in what is becoming an extraordinary mountaineering career. She had earlier scaled six Himalayan peaks within two weeks, including UT Kangri (6,080 m), Mentok Kangri-I (6,268 m), Mentok Kangri-II (6,218 m) and Mentok Kangri-III (6,126 m). Six peaks in two weeks. That’s not a feat — that’s a statement. Hachu Lombo, making her mark from the remote Dibang Valley, stands equally tall in this achievement. Both women will now receive official summit certificates from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) in recognition of their achievement — a formal stamp on something that was already written in the ice of the Zanskar range.
These two didn’t climb a mountain. They climbed past every excuse, every doubt, and every barrier — and planted a flag for every young woman in Arunachal Pradesh who’s ever been told she can’t reach the top.
HASHTAGS
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