Leh, Jan 11, 2021: A week long Ice climbing festival in Nubra valley which was organised by Nubra Adventure Club concluded today in Panamik. Deputy Chief Executive Councillor, Tsering Angchuk, was the chief guest. Honorary Captain, Everester, Tsering Angchuk and Councillor Panamik, Tsering Sangdup were the guest of Honour.
It was organised by Nubra Adventure Club (NAC) from January 5th to 11th under the guidance and financial support by active social worker of the region, Dr. Nordan Otzer to promote winter tourism in Nubra valley through ice climbing, a popular winter sport.
There were 18 participants across Nubra valley including 4 women. All participants were trained in basic ice-climbing skills during the festival at three locations, Podong Cake at Panamik, Artificial Glacier at Ayee village and first ascent at Nubra Adventure Club Crag located near Warshi Village. There were three trainers, Rigzin tsewang from Lakjung, Tsewang Namgyal from Leh and Kran Kowshik.
Deputy CEC lauded Dr. Nordan Otzer for the initiative of promoting and encouraging youths of Nubra valley to participate in winter adventure sports.
He said that the idea brings forth the aim of UT Ladakh and LAHDC to promote winter tourism in Ladakh. Adding that, he also informed that LAHDC would extend all support in promotion of this sport and will soon organise a winter sport festival in Nubra including adventure sports.
Rigzin Tsewang , a trainer from the event said that this festival got a good response from all over Ladakh and abroad too. He also said that Nubra has the potential to become an ice-climbing capital in the Himalayas which would boost winter tourism in the valley.
Honorary Captain Tsering Angchuk, an Everester and a time record holder in climbing Mt. Everest said such events will encourage youth from Nubra to summit many un-scaled peaks in Ladakh by the locals and it’s good that people are appreciating the value of mountaineering and adventure sport which was neglected and under-appreciated before.
Councillor Tsering Sangdup appreciated the organisers and trainers for putting in their hard work and efforts in conducting this festival. Encouraging sports lovers and ice-climbers, he said Nubra valley has the potential to become a separate tourist destination in itself with the commencement of Thoise air-field for commercial flights under UDAN scheme.
Ladakh MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in his tweet lauded the extraordinary performances by the women ice-climbers from the festival.
All participants underwent COVID testing before the commencement of the festival and no spectators were allowed at the festival site due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The participants were felicitated with certificates and trainer Rigzin Tsewang, Tsewang Namgyal and Karn K were lauded for their invaluable contribution and support in making this festival a success.
