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Nepal–Korea team makes historic climb; first successful ascent by foreign climbers in Upper Mustang
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 6
A joint Nepal–Korea expedition has successfully made the first-ever ascent of Chhuama Peak III (6,268m), located near Namdo village in Lomanthang Rural Municipality–4, Upper Mustang.
The "2025 Jeju International Mountaineering Expedition" reached the summit around 10 hours after departing base camp (5,480m) at 2:00 a.m. on November 2, hoisting the national flags of Nepal and South Korea on the previously unclimbed peak, according to Wongchu Sherpa, Managing Director at Trekking Camp Nepal.
The ascent was jointly completed by Nepali climbers Dawa Phurten Bhote and Mingmar Sherpa, and South Korean climbers Kim Dongjin (Team Leader), Kim Hyon Chul, and Oh Namyong. The team also included base camp guide Karma Sherpa, making it a coordinated effort of eight members in total, Sherpa said.
According to Umesh Paudel, Head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Lomanthang Office, this marks the first successful ascent by foreign climbers in Upper Mustang, opening a new chapter in the region's mountaineering history.
Earlier, a technical team from Trekking Camp Nepal had conducted a field survey and route assessment in the Chhuama area on October 18, identifying a viable route. Based on that study, the Korean team obtained climbing permission in early November and successfully completed the ascent, Sherpa added.
After returning to Lomanthang, the climbers were felicitated by ACAP with traditional khadas and certificates of appreciation.
ACAP Chief Paudel said the successful ascent will help highlight Mustang's adventure tourism potential. "The first ascent of Chhuama Peak III will bring international attention to Upper Mustang's mountaineering prospects and help promote local tourism, the economy, and cultural identity," he said.
The Chhuama Himal range consists of three main peaks, of which Chhuama Peak III has now been summited for the first time.
"This historic success begins a new era in Nepal's mountaineering history," Sherpa said, noting that it will draw attention to other unclimbed peaks in Mustang and encourage further exploration.
