by Babra Wani
SRINAGAR: A team of mountaineers from Highland Odysseys Pvt Ltd achieved the first recorded summit of Mt Harmukh’s Eastern Peak, standing at 5100 metres, earlier this month. The expedition, led by Nawab Moazam Khan, a 30-year-old travel entrepreneur from Srinagar, also set a record for the fastest ascent of the peak, completing the round trip from Kudara Village to Kudara Village in 46 hours.
The team comprised Nawab Moazam Khan, Ishfaq Ahmad Turk, Showkat Turk, and a support member, Parvez. Their journey began on the evening of 10 September, departing Kudara at 6:50 pm. They reached Meemargi by 9:00 pm and camped overnight at Dhoka.
On 11 September, they set out at 5:00 am from Meemargi and arrived at their Advanced Base Camp (ABC), located at 4700 metres, by 11:00 am. By 2:00 pm, the team had reached the Middle Peak at 5040 metres. At 4:30 pm, they successfully summited the Eastern Peak. The descent to ABC was completed by 8:00 pm the same day. The return to Kudara concluded by 4:30 pm on 12 September.
Moazam Khan explained that the decision to attempt the Eastern Peak followed careful planning and team discussions. He said that the peak was uncharted territory and required every step to be calculated. He noted that the weather was cooperative and the team well-prepared. He emphasised that they worked as a unit throughout the expedition. In high-altitude climbing, he added, communication and trust are essential. Every member’s role is vital.
Reflecting on his interest in mountains, Khan said that his passion for the outdoors began in school at Biscoe School, where cross-country runs, camping, trekking, adventure camps, skiing, swimming, and the Dal Cross were part of the routine. He explained that these early experiences shaped his path, and he later formalised his training through mountaineering courses at NIM, JIMWS, HMI, and IMF.
Ishfaq Ahmad Turk, aged 20, from Bandipora Kudara, described the expedition as his first major one, although he had previously undertaken numerous treks. He said that it was very lucky for them to succeed and that they faced many challenges but remained focused as a team. He mentioned that he was currently in training with BMC, which helped him stay prepared for the climb. He also stated that having Shaukat Nawab Parvez as part of the team provided important support throughout the journey.
Khan described the Eastern Peak summit as a proud moment for the team and for adventure sports in the region. He said that the record for the fastest ascent was significant, but what mattered most was that they climbed safely and responsibly. He added that the mountains demand respect.
Trekking and mountaineering have seen growing interest in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. Despite challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, security concerns, and environmental impacts, areas like the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, TarsarMarsar, and Zanskar attract thousands of trekkers annually. Local travel entrepreneurs and guides have worked to promote sustainable tourism practices, aiming to develop Kashmir as a key destination for adventure seekers.
Khan’s previous expeditions include the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Golap Kangri, Stok Kangri, Mt Kolohoi, Mt Kun, Mt Labuche East, and Mt Trishul. He has trekked extensively across Kashmir, Ladakh, Zanskar, Kishtwar, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Nepal, and Malaysia.
Regarding future goals, Khan stated that they aim to explore Transhimalayan Trails and climb technical peaks in Kashmir, Zanskar, Kishtwar, and Ladakh. He emphasised that the region holds vast potential for adventure tourism and mountaineering and that their mission is to unlock those opportunities safely.
This expedition marks a notable achievement in the mountaineering history of Jammu and Kashmir and reflects the growing interest in adventure tourism in the region.
