Kumar Bahukhandi
A Route Named “Vishnu Deo Route” in Honour of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s Vision
Raipur: In a remarkable feat that marks a new chapter in Indian mountaineering history, a team of tribal youths from Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, has opened a new alpine route on the 5,340-meter-high Jagatsukh Peak in the Duhangan Valley of Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The route, named the “Vishnu Deo Route” in honor of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s initiative, was completed in just 12 hours from base camp — in the pure, self-reliant alpine style considered among the most technically challenging forms of climbing.
The expedition, held in September 2025, was organized by the Jashpur District Administration in collaboration with Pahadi Bakra Adventure. It received vital support from the Hira Group and several national and international partners.
What makes this ascent exceptional is that all five climbers were first-time Himalayan mountaineers. Each had trained at “Deshdekha Climbing Area,” India’s first natural outdoor training zone dedicated to adventure sports, developed by the Jashpur Administration. To ensure world-class preparation, the administration enlisted the guidance of Indian and international experts — Swapnil Rachelwar (Bilaspur-based climber and expedition leader), Dave Gates (rock-climbing coach from New York, USA), and Sagar Dubey (Director, Runners XP). Together, they designed a rigorous two-month training and twelve-day pre-expedition climbing regimen to build the team’s physical, technical, and psychological endurance.
Swapnil Rachelwar, the expedition leader, noted that the new route on Jagatsukh Peak posed extreme challenges for the novice climbers: limited visibility, unstable weather, and concealed crevasses across the glacier. Despite these hazards, the team summited without fixed ropes or support staff — hallmarks of true alpine style. Unlike commercial climbs that rely on established routes and large support teams, this was a test of pure skill, self-sufficiency, and trust.
The achievement has drawn international praise. Toti Vells, a renowned Spanish mountaineer and former World Cup coach who served on the expedition’s technical core team, remarked: “These young climbers — who had never even seen snow before — have opened a new route in the Himalayas. It proves that with proper training and opportunity, they can compete at the world’s highest level.”
Beyond the Vishnu Deo Route, the team opened seven additional climbing routes across the Duhangan Valley. Among them was the first ascent of a previously unclimbed 5,350-meter peak, which the team named “Chhupa Rustam Peak.” Its ascent route was christened “Curcuma” — the scientific name for turmeric, symbolizing resilience and healing in Indian tradition.
The expedition stands as proof that with direction, opportunity, and institutional support, world-class mountaineers can emerge even from India’s remotest tribal regions. With no prior Himalayan experience, these youths demonstrated how indigenous strength, patience, and environmental intuition uniquely equip them for adventure sports. It also underscores how local training ecosystems like Deshdekha Climbing Sector can become incubators for professional climbers, opening new horizons for sustainable adventure tourism in India.
The Jashpur team comprised Ravi Singh, Tejal Bhagat, Rusnath Bhagat, Sachin Kujur, and Prateek Nayak, led by Swapnil Rachelwar, with Rahul Ogra and Harsh Thakur serving as co-leaders. Administrative support came from Dr. Ravi Mittal (IAS), Rohit Vyas (IAS), Shashi Kumar (IFS), and Abhishek Kumar (IAS). Technical expertise was contributed by Dave Gates, Ernest Venturini, Marta Pedro (Spain), Kelsey (USA), and Oyvind Y. Boe (Norway). The entire expedition was documented and photographed by Ishan Gupta’s Coffee Media team.
Key sponsors and institutional partners included Petzl, Allied Safety Equipment, Red Panda Outdoors, Rekki Outdoors, Advenam Adventures, Jai Jungle Pvt. Ltd., Adi Kailash Holistic Center, Golden Boulder, Crag Development Initiative, and Mystic Himalayan Trail.
More than a mountaineering milestone, this expedition symbolizes a belief: that India’s future can rise from its villages to the world’s highest summits. As Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “India’s future can emerge from its villages — and ascend to the world’s heights.”
With this achievement, Jashpur is now advancing toward becoming a sustainable adventure and eco-tourism hub, inspiring a new generation to find courage, confidence, and pride in the heights they can conquer.
