Climbing Survey in Tangtse, Ladakh

Words by Tsewang Namgyal, Owner & Lead Guide at རི Ri Guides.

Report on Climbing survey in Tangtse with the purpose of Increasing tourism and generating employment for locals.

In August 2020, a team of climbers visited the Tangtse Village and nearby areas. The team had two major objectives, namely a) To climb unclimbed, Boulders and walls in the region, in order to develop the area for future climbing and brings international attention to the region, and b) to identify possibilities that will make Tangtse into an international climbing tourism destination, and further, to liaison with locals, train them and build the capacities that will enable this kind of high-end tourism.

The team was highly successful in their objectives, putting up some new routes on Boulders and the walls adjacent to Tangtse monastery.

The following is a report on the trip, outlining successes and opportunities for the future.

The Team:

Tsewang Namgyal – Namgyal who led the survey is a local mountain guide/alpinist/climber who has climbed above 7000 meters 17 times and led expeditions to numerous other peaks in the Himalayas. He has climbed peaks in Ladakh, Uttarkhand and Himachal, Nepal and is one of India’s most successful mountain guides. He was accompanied by two other local rock climbers Sonam Stobgyal and Kunzes Angmo.

Description of Tangtse Climbing area

Tangtse village, is one of the most Ideal places in Ladakh for Rock Climbing. The area has a large amount of Boulders clustered for experts as well as for beginner climbers. Most of these Boulders and Granite Walls are located close to the village, which makes access easy and also gives revenue generation possibilities for

locals.

The team received support from mainly the Tourism Department, and would like to appreciate AD Tourism Mr Jigmet Namgyal for his immense support.

Tangtse Village proved to be an ideal basecamp, as it was situated to a walking distant from the climbing spots.

Climbing

It is difficult to explain any climb in words, as it is such an intensely personal experience. Yet, it is an experience that is shared, not just with climbing partners, but with locals and the entire climbing community. In that, we can say that the climbing in Tangtse Village was phenomenal – for a number of reasons. You get to do great Bouldering, Sport Climbing and TraditionalClimbing of easy to very difficult grade in the proximity of the village, exactly what the world’s top professionals looks for. Also, almost all the climbs are easily accessible by road. Tangtse itself is also easily accessible, while most of the high reaches of the Himalaya are inaccessible. Comfortable accommodation is available everywhere in the village, from guest houses to homestays with locals, making it a unique cultural experience as well.

Tangtse is a fascinating, and can become a special place to climb. As the world’s climbing spots go, it is certainly one of the highest and in a way remote, which are a true pleasure to experience.

Further, the team identified numerous other unclimbed big Boulders and walls which would be perfect for future climbing in the region.

Future possibilities

Tangtse is an untapped region for climbing, at a time when climbing as a sports is becoming more popular and accessible in India. The establishment of Tangtse as a future climbing area will open up lots of possibilities. These include :

• Attracting the world’s top climbers and adventurers, thus bringing attention to the area and Ladakh as a whole.

• Involvement of Local youth who would like to get trained in technically elite activities.

• The local economy will be supported due to home stays, taxis, lodging.