Sindhupalchowk : Three Spanish mountaineers have made history by successfully climbing Jugal II, a 6,518-metre peak in the Jugal Himal range of Sindhupalchowk district, for the first time.
The climbers-Mikel Zabalza, Mikel Saez and Ruben Perez- recently reached the summit and are now back at base camp, according to Milan Tamang, Chairperson of the Jugal Rural Municipality Tourism Committee.
Located northeast of Kathmandu, the Jugal Himal range comprises 11 peaks, most of which remain largely unexplored.
The successful ascent of Jugal II is expected to open up new possibilities for climbing other peaks in the Jugal Himal, gushed Tamang.
He described the ascent as a ‘landmark achievement’ that could pave the way for further climbing expeditions to other peaks in the range.
He also expressed hope that the feat would put Jugal Himal on the international mountaineering map and open up new opportunities for Nepal’s mountain tourism.
Congratulating the Spanish climbers, Jugal rural municipality Chairperson Resham Syangbo held the belief that the achievement would further enhance Nepal’s international reputation as a mountaineering destination, particularly highlighting the tourism potential of Jugal Himal.
The rural municipality has been promoting mountaineering, trekking routes and tourism infrastructure under its ‘Jugal Visit Year 2083’ campaign, he shared.
Through its ‘Destination Jugal’ initiative, it aims to bring the region’s mountains, trekking trails and religious and cultural heritage to the attention of domestic and international visitors, he added.
The latest ascent adds to a series of mountaineering milestones in the Jugal Himal range.
On April 9, 2019, a team led by Everest summiteer Maya Gurung had climbed the 6,126-metre Gyalchen Peak.
Similarly, a seven-member team led by Everest summiteer Sharmila Lama scaled the 6,184-metre Jugal III on October 20, 2020.
Earlier, foreign climbers had made the first successful ascent of Jugal I in April 2024.
