Twenty-three ITBP employees successfully climbed Mount Abi Gamin, which stands at an altitude of 7,355 meters on the Indo-Tibetan border in the state of Uttarakhand. They reached the summit on September 16th, raising the tricolor flag at an altitude of approximately 24,131 feet.
The expedition commenced on August 7th from the ITBP headquarters in New Delhi, led by Deputy Commander Parikshit Shah. The ascent took several weeks, during which the team traversed the challenging terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas, including preparation and acclimatization.
This expedition was part of the Strength Level Mountaineering Expedition 2026, officially inaugurated by ITBP CEO Shatrujeet Kapoor. At altitudes exceeding 7,000 meters, Abi Gamin is characterized by thin air, low temperatures, snowy and glacial sections, as well as rapid weather changes.
ITBP reported that the expedition demonstrated the mountaineering skills, determination, and team spirit of the unit. After several weeks in the mountains, the team managed to reach the summit on September 16th.
The official ITBP account noted this achievement with the phrase 'Himveers summit Mt Abi Gamin!', emphasizing the climbing abilities, determination, and teamwork of the 23-person crew. CEO Shatrujeet Kapoor also congratulated the expedition participants.
Mountain near the border
Mount Abi Gamin, also known as Ibi Gamin, is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state, within the Garhwal Himalayas. It is situated near Mount Kamet, and its peak lies on the border between India and Tibet, with its northern slopes extending into Tibet.
Abi Gamin is approximately 2 km northeast of Kamet and is part of the larger Kamet massif. The mountain has a long history of mountaineering. The first successful ascent was made by an Anglo-Swiss expedition in 1950, which approached the mountain from the Tibetan side via the Mana Pass. Indian mountaineers also successfully climbed it in the 1950s, including an expedition led by Nandu Jayala in 1953.
The mountain's location gives special significance to the ITBP expedition, as personnel are regularly deployed in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Overcoming an altitude of more than 24,000 feet requires more than just the steepness of the mountain; the oxygen level is significantly lower than at sea level, and extreme cold, snow, glaciers, and sudden weather changes can make movement dangerous.
The route around Abi Gamin historically included snowy and glacial sections, and the mountain is connected to the neighboring Kamet via the Midi Pass. Previous expeditions have reported complex icy sections and extremely cold conditions in high-altitude camps. Such conditions make acclimatization, meticulous planning, and experience vital for any summit expedition.