Pune, 21st May 2026: Mountaineering organization Giripremi successfully summited Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848.86 meters, on May 21 through Nepal’s traditional South Col route. This marks Giripremi’s third successful Everest expedition after its earlier achievements in 2012 and 2013.
The expedition was led by veteran mountaineer and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award recipient Umesh Zirpe. Team members Vivek Shivde, Mihir Jadhav and Akhil Katkar successfully reached the summit along with Sherpa climbers Lakpa Sherpa, Urgen Sherpa and Lakpa Tenzing Sherpa.
The team had departed from Pune on April 2, 2026, and spent nearly eight weeks in the Everest region preparing for the climb. Their acclimatization process included climbing Lobuche East and multiple rotations up to Camp 2 on Everest.
After beginning the final summit push on Sunday, the climbers advanced through the higher camps before reaching the summit in the early hours of May 21. Despite comparatively favourable weather conditions this season, the climbers had to spend more than 10 hours in the dangerous 'Death Zone' above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are extremely low.
“The weather window for Everest summit attempts was extremely limited this year due to continuous jet stream activity near the peak. Completing the summit safely in such conditions was a major challenge. The team’s discipline, patience, mental strength and teamwork played the biggest role in this success,” said expedition leader Umesh Zirpe from Everest Base Camp.
With this expedition, Umesh Zirpe has now successfully guided a total of 18 climbers to the Everest summit.
The expedition also supported the Government of India’s 'Fit India' campaign, promoting physical fitness, mental resilience and an active lifestyle. Along with mountaineering, the team also aimed to spread awareness about responsible climbing, glacier conservation and climate change.
The expedition received logistical support from Nepal-based Peak Promotion Agency. Giripremi also thanked its sponsors, supporters and family members for their contribution to the success of the mission.
