Independence Day 2025: Maharashtra Mountaineers Hoist 79 Tricolours To Mark 79th Anniversary On Mt Shinkun Summit; VIDEO

Mumbai: On India's 79th Independence Day, mountaineers from Maharashtra uniquely celebrated the occasion by displaying 79 tricolours on the peak of Mt. Shinkun (6,080 metres) in Himachal Pradesh. The mountaineers — Balkrushn Jadhav, Nikhil Yadav, Vaibhav Aiwale, and Sunil Khatte — all experienced climbers from Solapur, Maharashtra, participated in the expedition.

Tough Ascent in Harsh Conditions

They began their journey on August 9 from Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh, and successfully summited Mount Shinkun, overcoming extreme challenges such as sub-zero temperatures, low oxygen levels, strong winds, snowfall, moraines, and high altitude.

Mt. Shinkun is considered a moderately difficult mountain for climbers, and so far, very few mountaineers have reached its summit. During sections with slopes of 70–80 degrees, climbers must rely entirely on technical equipment.

Step-by-Step Journey to the Summit

The team commenced their expedition from Dar village, situated at an altitude of 3,360 metres. On the second day, they undertook an acclimatisation walk before halting at Base Camp (4,600 m) for the night, where they faced strong winds and temperatures of 0–1°C.

From Base Camp, they climbed to Camp 1 (Summit Camp) at 5,100 metres, a trek that took eight to nine hours — the toughest part of the expedition. Despite the harsh conditions, the breathtaking view of snow-covered Mt. Shinkun, surrounding mountain ranges, glaciers, and vast landscapes helped them momentarily forget the physical strain.

Celebrating Independence Day and Heritage

Usually, mountaineers face oxygen scarcity, extreme cold, strong winds, snowfall, and moraines during such climbs. However, due to their physical and mental preparedness, the team successfully reached the summit. At the peak, they sang the national anthem and celebrated Independence Day.

Vaibhav Aiwale said, “Recently, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s 12 forts were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which we also celebrated during this expedition. We hoisted flags representing these 12 forts at the summit as a tribute. The moment was a confluence of patriotism, historical pride, and passion for mountaineering for us.”

Past Record-Breaking Expeditions

Earlier, the team had celebrated India’s Independence Day by hoisting 75 tricolours on Mount Yunam (6,111 m) when the country marked its 75th year of independence. They also climbed Mount Jo Jango (6,250 m) and Kang Yatse (6,240 m), achievements recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

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Before that, mountaineer Vaibhav Aiwale had summited Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa’s highest peak — and Mount Elbrus in Europe on the 72nd and 73rd Independence Days, respectively. The team has dedicated their mountaineering campaigns to various social causes, hoping to inspire the younger generation.